oxygen sensors causing MIL : cleaning ?

[Nice But Dim]

The Bank 1 Sensor 2 oxygen/lambda sensor keeps triggering the engine management light on my Toyota Avensis 2003 (yes I know !!) – I have the OBDII reader stuff on my laptop and its definitely P0037 getting pinged = Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 2)

According to the Avensis tech manual you can test the resistance between the terminals of the heated oxygen sensor connectors at which should be at 11 to 16 ohms at 20 degr C – if this fails they advise replacement. Cheapest I can get Mr T replacement is £138 ! Apparently according the the Toyotaowners club forum the cheap ones off ebay don’t work.

But what are the possibilities of resolving this by removing the sensor – giving it a good clean with acid/alkali something – and putting it back in ?

Thanks for any advice you may have

[ringram]

Dont use any solvants dude. Wire brush it then use a blow torch on it
I kid you not, Im sure Ive read guys using a torch on it to clean it out.

But you probably just need a new one, why dont you try a breakers?

[WIL35]

I have exactly the same problem with our (the wife's) 2003 Avensis Verso. How do you know which of the two after catalyst sensors is causing the error?

[Nice But Dim]

The OBDII software tells you which bank and which sensor is triggering the MIL.

I have a copy of the avensis tech manual if you want it - its zipped up - pm me if interested

[Nice But Dim]

by the power of the internet

http://www.shopubb.com/automotive/cleaning-oxygen-...

[Steve_D]

From your own description of the fault code it is saying the heater has failed or is faulty. No amount of cleaning the sensor is going to fix that so it looks like a new one is required.

Steve

[Nice But Dim]

Thanks Steve D - occured to me soon after I posted that if the heater element was at fault the cleaning would be a remote hope.....

What are the consequences of driving around with this sensor being unreliable - will it cause and long term damage - performance and economy are completely unaffected ??

Cheers

[GreenV8S]

If the lambda sensor is faulty it could eventually knacker the cat.

[skid-mark]

be carefull when you take the sensor out they have a tendency to strip the tread out of the cat then it reqs new cat this is real common problem on most avensis some times if you put a fuel additive into the petrol tank and give it a good run the fault will clear, but if the heater cicuit has failed prob will req new sensor, the sensors have different coloured tags near the multi plug so make sure you get the right coloured tag or that the plug is the same if you get non dealer, but tend to find these don't last as long as toyota sensors.

[Nice But Dim]

Skid-mark, thanks for your advice - have already tried the fuel additive with no affect

Looks like I'll be forking out for a new Mr T sensor and a 22mm lambda socket.....

[skid-mark]

has your car got two sensors or four

[eliot]

With just the ignition on (not running) you should be able to feel the lambda sensor getting warm/HOT!

[Nice But Dim]

Skid-mark - my avensis has four sensors (post-2003 2.0 vvti) - the part I'm after is O2 Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 : toyota part number 89465-05120

I've pm'ed you

[skid-mark]

yeah thanks got your email and sent a reply i can see if i can get you a quote off the part number should see no prob, the bank 1 sensor 2 should be the one which leads off number one cylinder and is after the cat easy way to check for you is if you unplug the sensor start up car you should have the same fault stored, if you get a different code come up you know you have the wrong sensor.

[Nice But Dim]

Thanks Skidmark - that sounds great - look fwd to hearing from you. Cheers

[Kylie]

Sorry might be a bit late to this thread, but a quick check to eliminate that its actually a sensor thats faulty, unplug it and swap it over to one of the other 4 sensors that are known to work. It could be wiring or your ECU is not actually picking the correct diagnosis amoungst the sensors (this happens !)

[fatjon]

New sensors are not expensive, hardly worth the effort of cleaning them.

[Nice But Dim]

Actually I would call 138 quid for a sensor rather pricey !

[WIL35]

Especially for a post cat sensor that doesn't actually do much. AFAIK they are there to show the cat is working properly, something for the US I believe. Our one passed the MOT emissions easily, even with the fault light on.

[That Daddy]

Nice But Dim said:

Actually I would call 138 quid for a sensor rather pricey !

Not for a Toyota part it isnt,i remember around 95 when i required a single wire probe for a 92 Civic SPi (uk car)£238 = vat