oxygen censor causing engine check light

my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
is still on.

You didn't say what year your car is, but if it is a '96 or newer, then you
can reset the light in a matter of a few seconds at an Autozone store. You
can also determine what the fault is instead of guessing.




"surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
> oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
> because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
> forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
> I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
> is still on.
>[/color]

On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 17:59:11 -0700, surf wrote:
[color=blue]
> my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
> oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
> because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
> forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
> I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
> is still on.[/color]

Where in Mass are you?

If you're in or near NOHO, go to Autozone. They're good guys and they
won't BS you there.

Noho Toy wants $100 just to read the codes...

You could disconnect the power to the computer with the car OFF!!!!!!!!!!!
but you would lose codes that would help diagnosis. And you need ~100-200
miles in order for it to get enough cycles to pass inspection.

"surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
> oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
> because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
> forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
> I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
> is still on.
>[/color]

The oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen in the gas tank. The oxygen sensor
detects oxygen in the exhaust gas.

If your vehicle is a 1996 model year or later, the check engine light will
come on if you do not tighten the gas cap enough. You should always tighten
the gas cap until you hear several clicks.

If a loose gas cap caused the check engine light and it is now tight, it
should go off by itself in a few days. As others have suggested, Autozone
will check your codes for no charge. If you go to Autozone, write down the
trouble codes and report back. If the only code is P0440, you can reset the
codes and everything should be ok.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hachiroku wrote:
[color=blue]
> You could disconnect the power to the computer with the car OFF!!!!!!!!!!!
> but you would lose codes that would help diagnosis. And you need ~100-200
> miles in order for it to get enough cycles to pass inspection.[/color]

You only lose codes on an older car with that method (like my '91
celica) - OBDII cars can hold some of the more substantial codes in
non-volatile memory. Best to take it to a diag place to get them
checked out.

BTW to the OP - as far as i know theres no oxygen sensor in the gas
tank, the O2 sensor is used to control fuelling at cruise speeds and
keep your car efficient. Theres always oxygen in the gas tank.

J

On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 22:16:06 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
>> oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
>> because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
>> forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
>> I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
>> is still on.
>>[/color]
>
>The oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen in the gas tank. The oxygen sensor
>detects oxygen in the exhaust gas.
>
>If your vehicle is a 1996 model year or later, the check engine light will
>come on if you do not tighten the gas cap enough. You should always tighten
>the gas cap until you hear several clicks.
>
>If a loose gas cap caused the check engine light and it is now tight, it
>should go off by itself in a few days. As others have suggested, Autozone
>will check your codes for no charge. If you go to Autozone, write down the
>trouble codes and report back. If the only code is P0440, you can reset the
>codes and everything should be ok.[/color]

I have a 2000 Avalon. I had check engine light come on due to loose
gas cap. It was on for over a week. I disconnected battery and it
reset itself.

"ray" <nojunkemail@aol.com> wrote in message
news:o2b0a21e2n4k8308c05it8v4gpnkshsroc@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 22:16:06 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>> my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
>>> oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
>>> because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
>>> forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
>>> I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
>>> is still on.
>>>[/color]
>>
>>The oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen in the gas tank. The oxygen
>>sensor
>>detects oxygen in the exhaust gas.
>>
>>If your vehicle is a 1996 model year or later, the check engine light will
>>come on if you do not tighten the gas cap enough. You should always
>>tighten
>>the gas cap until you hear several clicks.
>>
>>If a loose gas cap caused the check engine light and it is now tight, it
>>should go off by itself in a few days. As others have suggested, Autozone
>>will check your codes for no charge. If you go to Autozone, write down
>>the
>>trouble codes and report back. If the only code is P0440, you can reset
>>the
>>codes and everything should be ok.[/color]
>
> I have a 2000 Avalon. I had check engine light come on due to loose
> gas cap. It was on for over a week. I disconnected battery and it
> reset itself.[/color]

I believe that the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) has 2-trip detection
logic for evaporative emissions. There are parameters for "two trips" and
if you do not meet those parameters, then it will take a lot longer for the
MIL to be extinguished. Disconnecting the battery is a hassle because you
need to reset your clock and radio presets, and if you have to go for an
emissions check right after you have cleared the memory, then the ECU's
memory might have been cleared of normal codes.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

I went to autozone. The code is P0031
which I was told is bank 1 censor heating circuit.
the part alone is $300-$400, I may just have a mechanic do it, as
I stopped working on my own cars once i got past the 73 chevy nova
i had 20 years ago, plus my inspection sticker is dependend on it.

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> "surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
> > oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
> > because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
> > forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
> > I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
> > is still on.
> >[/color]
>
> The oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen in the gas tank. The oxygen sensor
> detects oxygen in the exhaust gas.
>
> If your vehicle is a 1996 model year or later, the check engine light will
> come on if you do not tighten the gas cap enough. You should always tighten
> the gas cap until you hear several clicks.
>
> If a loose gas cap caused the check engine light and it is now tight, it
> should go off by itself in a few days. As others have suggested, Autozone
> will check your codes for no charge. If you go to Autozone, write down the
> trouble codes and report back. If the only code is P0440, you can reset the
> codes and everything should be ok.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

"surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1151537590.725642.296220@d56g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I went to autozone. The code is P0031
> which I was told is bank 1 censor heating circuit.
> the part alone is $300-$400, I may just have a mechanic do it, as
> I stopped working on my own cars once i got past the 73 chevy nova
> i had 20 years ago, plus my inspection sticker is dependend on it.[/color]

The OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for bank 1 sensor 1 heater circuit
malfunction is P0135.

P0031 is not a generic OBD II DTC. Here is a list of generic OBD DTC's :
[url]http://www.obdii.com/codes.html[/url]

$300 sounds kind of high for an aftermarket O2 sensor. You may want to see
what the price is at your local Toyota dealer. You didn't mention what kind
of vehicle you have, but if itis a 4 cylinder, bank 1 sensor 1 is pretty
easy to reach. It will be sticking out of the exhaust manifold.

If you have a transverse-mounted 6 cyclinder engine, then bank 1 is towards
the firewall and harder to reach.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[color=blue]
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> "surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> > my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
>> > oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
>> > because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
>> > forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
>> > I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
>> > is still on.
>> >[/color]
>>
>> The oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen in the gas tank. The oxygen
>> sensor
>> detects oxygen in the exhaust gas.
>>
>> If your vehicle is a 1996 model year or later, the check engine light
>> will
>> come on if you do not tighten the gas cap enough. You should always
>> tighten
>> the gas cap until you hear several clicks.
>>
>> If a loose gas cap caused the check engine light and it is now tight, it
>> should go off by itself in a few days. As others have suggested,
>> Autozone
>> will check your codes for no charge. If you go to Autozone, write down
>> the
>> trouble codes and report back. If the only code is P0440, you can reset
>> the
>> codes and everything should be ok.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>[/color]

I have a tundra 6 cyclinder 2wd. I figure it shouldn't
take a mechanic that long to do the job.
Less than an hour

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> "surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1151537590.725642.296220@d56g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> >I went to autozone. The code is P0031
> > which I was told is bank 1 censor heating circuit.
> > the part alone is $300-$400, I may just have a mechanic do it, as
> > I stopped working on my own cars once i got past the 73 chevy nova
> > i had 20 years ago, plus my inspection sticker is dependend on it.[/color]
>
> The OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for bank 1 sensor 1 heater circuit
> malfunction is P0135.
>
> P0031 is not a generic OBD II DTC. Here is a list of generic OBD DTC's :
> [url]http://www.obdii.com/codes.html[/url]
>
> $300 sounds kind of high for an aftermarket O2 sensor. You may want to see
> what the price is at your local Toyota dealer. You didn't mention what kind
> of vehicle you have, but if itis a 4 cylinder, bank 1 sensor 1 is pretty
> easy to reach. It will be sticking out of the exhaust manifold.
>
> If you have a transverse-mounted 6 cyclinder engine, then bank 1 is towards
> the firewall and harder to reach.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>
>[color=green]
> >
> > Ray O wrote:[color=darkred]
> >> "surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> news:1151283551.239311.232520@r2g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> >> > my engine check light is on, I think because the oxygen censor dectects
> >> > oxygen in the gas tank. I had this problem a year ago. It may be
> >> > because the gas cap is not on tight enough and I got careless and
> >> > forgot about that. How long does it take for the computer to reset ?
> >> > I live in Mass and need to get it inspected before july, but the light
> >> > is still on.
> >> >
> >>
> >> The oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen in the gas tank. The oxygen
> >> sensor
> >> detects oxygen in the exhaust gas.
> >>
> >> If your vehicle is a 1996 model year or later, the check engine light
> >> will
> >> come on if you do not tighten the gas cap enough. You should always
> >> tighten
> >> the gas cap until you hear several clicks.
> >>
> >> If a loose gas cap caused the check engine light and it is now tight, it
> >> should go off by itself in a few days. As others have suggested,
> >> Autozone
> >> will check your codes for no charge. If you go to Autozone, write down
> >> the
> >> trouble codes and report back. If the only code is P0440, you can reset
> >> the
> >> codes and everything should be ok.
> >> --
> >>
> >> Ray O
> >> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
> >[/color][/color]

surf wrote:[color=blue]
> I have a tundra 6 cyclinder 2wd. I figure it shouldn't
> take a mechanic that long to do the job.
> Less than an hour[/color]

Use someone like:
[url]https://www.sapmotorparts.com/shop/english/[/url]

for your 02 sensor, Mr T wants well over £100 UK + VAT for one in this
country but you can get them for <£50 including from places like SAP.
Shouldnt be very hard to change at all, even if you have to buy the
tool to unbolt it you can probably do it for half the price.

could midas muffler do this kind of work reliably ?


Coyoteboy wrote:[color=blue]
> surf wrote:[color=green]
> > I have a tundra 6 cyclinder 2wd. I figure it shouldn't
> > take a mechanic that long to do the job.
> > Less than an hour[/color]
>
> Use someone like:
> [url]https://www.sapmotorparts.com/shop/english/[/url]
>
> for your 02 sensor, Mr T wants well over £100 UK + VAT for one in this
> country but you can get them for <£50 including from places like SAP.
> Shouldnt be very hard to change at all, even if you have to buy the
> tool to unbolt it you can probably do it for half the price.[/color]

surf wrote:
[color=blue]
> could midas muffler do this kind of work reliably ?[/color]

No!

"surf" <surfunbear@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1151889745.186916.190190@j8g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

could midas muffler do this kind of work reliably ?


You could do it yourself just as reliably, if not more reliably, using OEM
parts and without having to cut the factory wire harness. Just unplug the
old sensor, unbolt the sensor, reverse the process. If you can change a
spark plug or a spare tire, you can change an O2 sensor, particularly on an
engine that is mounted longitudinally.

Good luck!
--


Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)