Just as my 1981 Corolla clicked over to 120,000, the "Sensor" warning light came on. First I'll say this is a pre-computer car so forget about hooking it up to a reader to check codes. The user manual says it does this automatically every 30k to get you to go in and have the oxygen sensor checked, whereupon the dealer will also reset the switch. So:
1) How do I reset the switch without resorting to the dealer? My Haynes manual says almost nothing about O2 sensors and nothing at all about the warning light.
2) The owner's manual says the dealer (who, by the way, no longer even has '81 parts in the computer database) will check the sensor for operation and then reset the switch. Is this "checking" something a home mechanic can do (and how)?
3) Maintenance replacement vs. check vs. do nothing? The car is otherwise running fine. MN no longer does emissions tests so I can't say what's happening there but I don't see any blue fog. What's the philosophy on O2 sensor replacement? Honestly, I still have some of the original belts in this car so my attitude re. Corollas is things last forever until you really have to replace something, then that part subsequently requires frequent replacement because the replacements are never as good as the originals. I don't think this sensor has ever been replaced. Should I do this? A replacement costs $30-$60 which is cheaper than a visit to the mechanic for "checking" (and assuming I can otherwise find out how to get the darned light to go out!), but is this a case of, "Don't fix it if it ain't broke"?
Thanks for any feedback, especially if you know how to get that light to go out (time-honored black electrical tape over the light is not a preferred solution!).
1) How do I reset the switch without resorting to the dealer? My Haynes manual says almost nothing about O2 sensors and nothing at all about the warning light.
2) The owner's manual says the dealer (who, by the way, no longer even has '81 parts in the computer database) will check the sensor for operation and then reset the switch. Is this "checking" something a home mechanic can do (and how)?
3) Maintenance replacement vs. check vs. do nothing? The car is otherwise running fine. MN no longer does emissions tests so I can't say what's happening there but I don't see any blue fog. What's the philosophy on O2 sensor replacement? Honestly, I still have some of the original belts in this car so my attitude re. Corollas is things last forever until you really have to replace something, then that part subsequently requires frequent replacement because the replacements are never as good as the originals. I don't think this sensor has ever been replaced. Should I do this? A replacement costs $30-$60 which is cheaper than a visit to the mechanic for "checking" (and assuming I can otherwise find out how to get the darned light to go out!), but is this a case of, "Don't fix it if it ain't broke"?
Thanks for any feedback, especially if you know how to get that light to go out (time-honored black electrical tape over the light is not a preferred solution!).
P.M. me if you need more information. I haven't read this forum in months but a PM should hopefully bounce to my email to notify me. I think it's a pretty small community out there now with '81 wagons so resources are handy.
