How to Change the Oxygen Sensor on a Toyota
The first Toyota automobile was introduced in Japan before World War II, however, it was not until 1957 when the first Toyota Toyopet was shipped to North America. The 1965 Corolla, with its 90 horsepower four cylinder engine, was the first Toyota that was well received in countries that were used to larger automobiles. As of 2010, Toyota produces a large variety of vehicles, from entry-level economy cars to full-sized pickup trucks with V-8 engines. Modern Toyotas utilize an oxygen sensor to send important information regarding fuel mixture to the engine control module. If you notice the gas mileage dropping on your Toyota, it may be time to replace the oxygen sensor.
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Instructions
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Raise your Toyota with a hydraulic jack so that it is high enough for you to crawl under. Place jack stands under the frame of the vehicle, and lower the hydraulic jack so that the total mass of the vehicle is supported by the jack stands.
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Crawl under the vehicle, and locate the oxygen sensor mounted on the exhaust pipe in front of the catalytic converter. Remove the bolt in the sensor wiring bracket by turning it out with an adjustable wrench in a counterclockwise direction.
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Pull the sensor wiring harness down so that you can more easily locate the connector latch. Pull up on the connector latch, while simultaneously pulling the connectors apart to release the sensor wiring from the vehicle's wiring harness.
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4
Remove the two sensor-holding nuts with a 12mm wrench turned in a counterclockwise direction. Pull the sensor from the exhaust pipe and discard it. Place the nuts aside.
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Place the new oxygen sensor onto the exhaust pipe, making sure to line up the holes in the flange of the sensor to the mounting holes in the exhaust pipe. Tighten the original holding nuts with a 12mm wrench in a clockwise direction.
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Push the wiring connector of the sensor back into the vehicle's wiring harness until it snaps into place. Replace the bolt in the wiring bracket, and tighten it with an adjustable wrench in a clockwise direction.
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Raise the vehicle with a hydraulic jack. Remove the jack stands. Lower the hydraulic jack until the vehicle's wheels rest on the ground. Remove the hydraulic jack.
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Tips & Warnings
Since the oxygen sensor has a direct impact on your Toyota's emissions, make sure you purchase the correct replacement. Toyotas in California are subject to stricter emissions standards, so the oxygen sensor required for a vehicle driven in California may be different than one needed for the other 49 states. When purchasing your sensor, make sure you specify if your car is driven in California.
References
- Photo Credit exhaust pipe image by A74.FR Ben Fontaine from Fotolia.com
