99 Camry oxygen sensor

[umniy]

I've got a V6, '99 Camry CEL pop-up and P0135 code. After reading a ton of posts, I purchased a Bosch sensor and attempted to replace Bank 1 Sensor 1, which is by the firewall, down there. For the life of me, I don't understand how people can do it in the garage! I think I could try unscrewing the sensor from the top (though I haven't gotten that far), but my biggest problem is disconnecting the wire harness. I even tried practicing on the other sensor, closest to the radiator, but even there I could not disconnect the wires. I tried pushing on the connector tab and pulling the sensor plug down, but it did not budge and I did not want to damage it. But that Bank 1 Sensor 1 is much worse. I cannot even get my fingers on the plug and you need working with two hands. I tried jacking the car up and get to it from under the car; I can barely see it, but cannot touch it. Could somebody give me detailed "know-how", more than just saying "disconnect the wire plug, or push the tab and pull it out"?
Thanks a lot for the advice.

[Hajoca]

I just did one yesterday morning.
Remove intake air hose at throttle body to resonator section and the PCV air in hose.

You do not need to remove air cleaner or MAF sensor, but I do remove the MAF connector.

Reach in and push the grey tab in with left hand routed above the hoses. reach under the hoses with right and pull down on connector.
Open end 22mm wrench removed it.

I used a 4209 Denso sensor (no connector universal 4 wire) from Sparkplugs.com so the next 10 minutes was crimping and heat shrink work.

I install with Teflon tape and anti-seize paste on top of the threads.

[umniy]

Dear Hajoca,
That was quick!
I did not mean to impose, but is there a chance you could snap and post a few pictures with markups which parts you removed? I do not know all the terminology. Obviously, I can guess what is on the way, but better safe than sorry. Also, which exactly tab on the sensor? I realize it sounds silly asking how to pull the damn wire, but it does not seem to want to cooperate.
You can email me directly at umniy2000~at~yahoo~dot~com (for Net security I never just post my email address).
Best regards.

[new echo owner]

Get a Denso or Toyota sensor, unless you want to take the chance of having to do it again.

N.E.O.

[Hajoca]

A little late for the pics, as I have already reassembled it.

At throttle body there is a rubber hose with clamps that is what I loosened to have the bellows intake section removed. The next one is at the MAF sensor, same type of clamp.

The plastic connector has a well defined tab, which you can see on the front (bank 2) sensor which faces to the driver's side of the car, that tab needs to be pressed in slightly.

What makes the connector removal difficult is a silicone rubber seal on the connector to keep dirt and water out. Just wiggle the connector back and forth and it will release.

[supraman215]

I did the bank 1 sensor 1 before. I think it's lasted me 3 years. it was a bosch and I have to do it again. Sux. But I'm using a Bosch again. Mainly because I'm deep in the hole because I replaced the wrong one, had a bad O2 bung and all kinds of issues so I'm going to go the cheap route since I'm already like $200 in the hole.

[grump78]

I just did mine this past weekend and from your post I think you were aprehensive like me. I had to move the middle part of the air intake(squeezing on the clamps around the hose) and that gives you enough room to get your arm in. I did not think it could be done from the top but it seemed impossible from the bottom. I also used a 22mm open ended wrench. I did not own one so I took the new sensor to sears and made sure I got a wrench that fit. As far as disconnecting the wires there is only one clamp. It will take a little pulling but it will come out as the one guy said pull with one hand and pull holding the clamp with the other one, trust me it will come apart. I sprayed liquid wrench on it about 10 times by the way to remove it from the firewall. I did that first then removed he wires. Hope that helps a little bit