Bad O2 Sensor: Bank 1 Sensor 1 HELP!!!!!

[pjwr2004]

My bank 1 sensor 1 o2 sensor is bad. After doing research for a cheap sensor, I found that all the descriptions say that I need 2 sensors. Is this true? I would have to spend around $200 for two sensors? If I don't need 2 sensors, which one do I need to change?

Also... Can anyone recommend bosch sensors or other cheaper brands that will work as well or better than the densos?

thanks

[mazdaverx7]

bosch is a decent brand. the bank one sensor is located on the exhaust manifold closest to the core support(front exhaust manifold). the other sensor(bank two) is located in the exhaust manifold closest to the firewall. i've used bosch without a problem. other people may have their own say as to if bosch is good or not. like i said, no problems here.

[Jack1]

If your code says s1 b1 is faulty then just replace the one is all is needed. Most of the difference is the type of connector on the end of the sensor wires. However, you might want to replace both at the same time as they don't live forever. You may also find a third one just ahead of the cat converter.

I did mine (s1 b2) last year after detecting it with my laptop plugged into the OBDII socket.
It pointed to a faulty O2 sensor in a location similar to yours. However, in my case it was also a bad harness connector at the sensor. Seems the dealer left the connector off its holder so.. it melted against the exhaust manifold and shorted. Sensors are expensive and even waaaaay more pricey for the connectors because a new harness needs to be found.

To save myself a pile of bucks, what I did in my case was to cut and splice in a generic connector, then went online to eBay (search "universal O2 sensor") and sourced out any universal O2 sensor (new borg-warner - - but it seems pretty well any screw-in type works fine). Just make sure it has the same number of wires as yours. I spliced that new sensor onto the leads from the new connector. Usually the universal sensors are sold with a package of crimp-on splices. Pretty simple concept and device really.

Anyway, at that time it came to about $35 (for two) including s/h to Canada.

Spliced in the bare leads to the new connector (or you can just splice it in directly), diag'd it out of interest, and stills works great after a year of driving.

Jack