Lambda Sensor Error and replacement

[MartinThorn]

'Morning! Over the last few months the engine warning light was coming on and then off again.. then eventually went permanent two weeks ago. The fault code that I'd already scanned via OBDeleven was P223700 which is the bank 1, sensor1 oxygen sensor, otherwise known as the Lambda sensor.

This is the pre-cat sensor that is at the back of the engine bay where the exhaust leaves the engine block.

I ordered this Bosch part 0281004191 from eBay which has a lead length of 660mm which is ok for my car (Mk3 Leon 2.0TDi FR184) for about £75 and today I finally got around to putting the new part in!

[Interestingly, the lack of working sensor did not seem to significantly affect the running of the car.. still seemed to have all/most of its power?! Anyway, engine warning light means MOT failure so had to be fixed]

Some photos following this post:

 

[MartinThorn]

The location of the sensor to be replaced was, like I said above, at the back of the engine bay and is quite easily accessible.

First I undid the small thermal blanket just below the circled area above which allows you to separate the O2 sensor cable from the other two nearby cable harnesses that are unrelated.

Then I used the special socket tool (another few quid) and my long breaker bar to get the old sensor out. I've heard stories about them being stuck in, but this one didn't take much force at all to get loose.

 

[MartinThorn]

Next was to undo the connector at the other end of the O2 sensor harness, then snipped off the connector so I could just pull the old o2 sensor harness through the various cable ties and that was it - sensor and its cable out in a few minutes.

It's not often that jobs go this smoothly so I allowed myself a few minutes of smug satisfaction!!

It definitely was knackered - can you spot which one came out of the car!

Anyway popped the new one in, gave it some torque (but not excessive amounts, might need to come out in 100k miles if I still have it!!) and job done.

Engine light self extinguished so didn't have to use OBDeleven to clear it.

Here's the other end of the old cable with the connector that I snipped off..

Not a terribly exciting thread, but as I had pictures I thought I'd share.

Easy job (if the sensor comes out ok), far easier than doing the heater matrix!!

Oh - this is the socket tool I used that helps get it in and out: ok, worked but the slot of this exact one is a bit narrower than it should be (chafes the harness outer sheath which no one really wants ideally!)

 

[MartinThorn]

Bonus pics of new vs. old O2 sensor.. This is hopefully only looking like that because it has done over 100k miles!

 

[Rob McCool]

I've just changed mine on the same model. Definitely running better now ,the revs not constantly high and smoke coming out of the exhaust.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Good job They usually have an interval to change them, but almost no-one keeps that in mind and only swap them out once they fail

 

[tracktoy]

Good job They usually have an interval to change them, but almost no-one keeps that in mind and only swap them out once they fail

Any idea what the interval is

 

[nd-photo.nl]

For what I could find, they should be replaced after 80.000km (pre and post-cat lambdas) for my CJXA 2.0 TFSI

Again, they will probably be fine with longer replacement intervals, but keeping up with maintenance will get the most out of your car

 

[tracktoy]

That sounds about right I had both go around 49k miles so will add this to the service list.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

My other brand cars before had way longer service intervals for them (like 150k / 175k kms)

 

[Drosanski]

I have problem with my oxygen sensor bank 1 sensor 2. 3 times already replaced and everytime getting different errors. First one Delphi brand and p00360 which say problem with heater. After that i replaced same brand again with Dephi working for 4 weeks with no problems and after that first error came malfunction low voltage. Now replaced again with Hella brand and getting again same error as first p0360. Anyone have any idea what to do next? Seat Leon St 1.8 tsi engine 2014

 

[nd-photo.nl]

If I check for error p0360, it shows me ignition coil errors? Are you sure you posted the correct error?

For instance:

https://www.engine-codes.com/p0360_volkswagen.html

 

[Drosanski]

If I check for error p0360, it shows me ignition coil errors? Are you sure you posted the correct error?

For instance:

https://www.engine-codes.com/p0360_volkswagen.html

Sorry, my bad, it's a p003600 this is last error code on last sensor which I replaced. Old one sensor error code was P013600.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Ah indeed, that makes sense

16420/P0036/000054 - Ross-Tech Wiki

Not much information to go on, so it seems. Maybe check wiring/fuse(s)/relay?

Fuse Box Diagram SEAT Leon (Mk3/5F; 2013-2019)

Fuse box diagram (location and assignment of electrical fuses) for SEAT Leon (Mk3/5F; 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

fuse-box.info

 

[Drosanski]

Ah indeed, that makes sense

16420/P0036/000054 - Ross-Tech Wiki

Not much information to go on, so it seems. Maybe check wiring/fuse(s)/relay?

Fuse Box Diagram SEAT Leon (Mk3/5F; 2013-2019)

Fuse box diagram (location and assignment of electrical fuses) for SEAT Leon (Mk3/5F; 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

fuse-box.info

Thanks I will check, but I up image of code anyway. It's little bit strange, coz every time after replacement showing different error codes. And the price of them are like between 35 euro - 55 euro, Hella and Deplhi tried.

 

[RUM4MO]

I would think that the original probe was an NTK branded one, which is what NGK brand their sensors as, it has been said that certain VW Group engine management systems are quite fussy about which brand of sensors you use as replacements.

I've only ever replaced one Lambda sensor, and it was a VW Group service part, which was NTK as was the original one that had failed after maybe 10 years and 90,000 miles in a 2002 VW Polo 1.4 BBY petrol engine.

Edit:- I did my homework and getting a genuine NTK sensor to my door was roughly the same price as getting one from my VW dealership as a re-branded/re-box part.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Some sensors can be quite fussy, had the same with our old VW Lupo. It would not accept a Hella O2 sensor, so in the end I just left the original one in (probably also NTK or Bosch).

It might be worth a shot to try either OE or NTK before you decide to do something else. Also check the wiring/connector if possible

 

[Drosanski]

Some sensors can be quite fussy, had the same with our old VW Lupo. It would not accept a Hella O2 sensor, so in the end I just left the original one in (probably also NTK or Bosch).

It might be worth a shot to try either OE or NTK before you decide to do something else. Also check the wiring/connector if possible

Thanks, Fuses checked they look good. Today I also check the connector cables, I mean connector which coming from the car not lambda connector I what I see there is a 4 pins wich 1 of them look silver, all other 3 gold color. The white one is a silver that what I can say for today. Also like I said old lambda which is a brand new worked only 4 weeks with noo problems I make a test on her with multimeter 2k ohms on the 2 white connectors it's say 0.008 which sounds like fail test.