I have had the engine management light appear on the dashboard of my 2006 NC, so phoned the RAC who plugged in their diagnostics and have said there is a fault with the Lower Oxygen Sensor on the exhaust. Has anyone had any experience with this, and if so is it easy enough to do at home, and will the light turn off once replaced or will it need a diagnostics machine to turn it off/clear the fault?
Many thanks in advance!
Mine failed a couple of months ago, but that was the one before the cat, I believe it’s fairly unusual for the lower sensor to go. I think access for the lower one is OK if you have ramps etc and I think you need a special spanner to make it easier. They are fairly expensive as well. I had mine done by the garage as it was in for other work at the same time.
I think the fault will clear once replaced however you can by code readers from eBay for around a fiver and download an app such as torque lite that allows you to read the code and reset, One of the best buys I have made recently as helped me confirm that my thermostat valve was dodgy by showing the water temp.
Yes if you are in any way handy with a car just go onto ebay and buy a code reader, do not ask questions just do it as they all work.
No if a fault light is on it has to be switched off with a code reader even the faulty part is replaced.
The oxy sensor socket is inexpensive.
To be honest with you if you have to ask these basic questions I assume you are not an enthusiastic home mechanic.
If this is the case there are a few things to watch when you change an oxy sensor and you need some assistance the first time you do it.
Therefore if my guess is correct get a trusted garage to do it as they will do one of these a week.
With regards to James S’s post that it is unusual for the lower sensor to need changed why then do MX5parts keep them in stock.
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/oxygen-sensor-aftermarket-rear-mk3-35-p-2048.html
Eddie, I was only trying to help and the op was looking for advice. Smarmy comments help no one. Companies sell a lot of things that don’t need replacing very often.