New member 02 sensor problems

[Lisa407]

New member 02 sensor problems
Purchased a cheap ibiza 04 plate 1.4 the end of May this year.
Engine light came on. The seller said it was 02 sensor. A mechanic at garage said it was the back sensor bank 2. Had it replaced but the light on intermitent. Took it elsewhere for emissions test...it failed. Got another diagnostic done. Error codes now suggesting front sensor. P1196
P1178
P1190

Mechanic wants to replace the first precast sensor
But after spending on diagnostic twice replacing the bank 2 sensor I am reluctant to. Any ideas ? Could I be wasting money on sensors? Could it be something else broken?
The mechanics I've been to are relying on codes. Can the sensors be tested ?
Any ideas please
I'm new here would appreciate help please

 

[Arkaig]

Almost certainly the front sensor, as this is what the codes point to, and the front sensor will affect your emissions.

The mechanic that suggested the rear sensor got it wrong, the code for that one is usually P0420 and it does not affect emissions, engine running, or anything else.

It could be the wiring to the sensor; unlikely, but it's free for you to check. Look down the front of the engine to the big vertical exhaust outlet. There is a cable going into a long probe sensor with a big hex nut on it. Ensure it's plugged in properly and follow the cable back into the loom to check for breaks.

It's usually easy enough to change the sensor yourself with the right size spanner, some releasing fluid and a big mallet.

 

[Arkaig]

To answer your other question, yes these sensors can be tested but it's usually not as trivial as just hooking up a multimeter and most garages won't have the knowledge to do it properly.

Saying that, from the error codes it looks like the sensor is getting no power whatsoever, so a multimeter would at least prove/disprove that. This is also why I suggested checking the wiring.. it could be a very cheap fix

 

[Lisa407]

O2 sensor

Thank you very much for replying. If mechanics can't check the wiring or check the voltage to sensor I will try to find another mechanic. Or I may have to try myself. On way to garage to get tyres now...the light went off again today...I will definitely ask about wires and voltage...if only I had tools and ramps I would learn to do some repairs myself lol
The mechanic didn't give me original code just said back sensor so I presume he's got it wrong unfortunately at my cost and maybe a good sensor thrown in bin

 

[Lisa407]

O2 sensor

Hope I'm not annoying you...just had free diagnostic...front sensor code but mechanic said egr flagging up too...he said front broken sensor would affect the egr...he said the senor was stuck or something I think on 5.7...as it was free test I didn't get a printout and he didn't have time to check the wire voltages with multi meter as you suggested...only went for back tyres
So now it looks like booking in for a ngk or bosh sensor as the mechanics don't really want to check parts and wires manually. Or I am
Thinking if I could get lucky with a second hand sensor as it seems to be trial and error from reading other people's sensor cable dilemmas.

 

[BillyD]

Id just buy a new sensor, Bosch I think is the original on most cars so I would stick with that one.

Looking at auto data it says its bank 1, change that and get the code erased and see if that does you,
The probable cause for the P1190 code is wiring tho.

 

[Lisa407]

Oh dear hope it's not got wiring problems too...think I've been sold a lemon
The trader must of smacked a dodgey Mot on it the day I bought it
Bought it rushing as my crappy corsa got written off outside driveway
Had to get car or lose my insurance
Took me 28 days last day to find something suitable for me
I liked the shape and colour
Its a lovely bright red bodywork in great condition
I had hoped the car would only need tyres maybe drop links and back sensor but now the list is getting bigger
Thank you for input though

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[RUM4MO]

Just to add my 2pence worth, sensor needs to be NTK, that is what was fitted at engine assembly, this is NGK's brand name for these sensors. As your engine is a "straight four" cylinder, there is no bank 2 - only bank 1 ! Buying used Lambda sensors - never a smart move!

 

[Lisa407]

Google says ngk
Its a 1.4 petrol 04 plate
I'm looking at sensors now unsure which one I need
Think it's a ibiza mark 4
Mechanics quoted around £120 that sound right price?


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[RUM4MO]

That price sounds about right, check price from SEAT dealer as I found that VW dealer was same price as me buying one online when postage was taken into account!

Engine is it a BBY code, the EGR gas pipe port gets choked at the TB or inlet manifold area and can cause issues, easy to clean but don't unplug the TB lead. Check NGK website for part number, you will find it listed under the NTK brand on that website.

 

[Lisa407]

Oh thanks that's something else I could try some carb spray cleaner
Spotted a u tube link relating to engine light problems
Could go round in circles end up with a good working car hopefully lol
Probably leave the sensor fitting to mechanic they get discount
Don't think I can fit it cheaper or even fit it myself
Don't have ramps

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Lisa407]

What's the TB lead ?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[mty12345]

TB is throttle body, i'm guessing he means the wiring to it?

 

[RUM4MO]

Yes Throttle body - I was in a hotel in Italy with flaky WiFi when I was posting, very frustrating as I was using wife's iPad, so with the loss of WiFi frequently it was just like using my Win10'd lappy with a solid WiFi signal at home!!

 

[Lisa407]

Oh...update
My dad cleaned out the throttle body with tooth brush wd40 couple of weeks ago I don't think he disconnected the lead he blew down some rubber pipes and air came out the end
If he took TB off what trouble does it cause?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Lisa407]

He didn't touch the adjustable cable wire

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[RUM4MO]

If he did not remove the electrical cable it should be okay, what happens if the cable is removed is that the engine's ECU (controller) needs to relearn the fully open and fully closed voltage feedback signal voltage - though it has been said that if you switch on the ignition and do nothing else for 5 minutes, you should hear the TB being fully opened and then closed again, so maybe it can relearn its position voltages.

In my experience the main area to clean with brake cleaner or carb cleaner, apart from the throttle shutter, is the EGR pipe port as that can get clogged up completely.

 

[Lisa407]

You guys are great

You guys have good knowledge about cars
My dad tries helping but he's a bull at gate lol
Trying to save money as cars have numerous problems and mechanics are expensive.
I've managed to get my friends partner to check front sensor on Sunday
I helped. We found the cable twisted around and bent in acute angle.
Was a pain in association to get to...this metal done cover had to be unscrewed out...I had to get under car to undo bottom nut which was rusty and snapped off.
The cable was hard to get off no space for spanner between the front off engine radiator.
The sensor end looks like white pale grey soot coating.
We sprayed it with wynns carb cleaner.
I couldn't get the plug end out to check the wires under the engine that wires by the sensor metal end itself didn't look frayed out snapped and so far the engine management light has come back on
Strange hey
And still need to check with dad about what he done with the throttle when he cleaned it
Its great talking to you guys so helpful

 

[RUM4MO]

Yes, trust me, being a dad is a problem when it comes to cars! My oldest daughter did a job swop via the Commonwealth and Overseas office - with a primary school teacher in Perth Oz for a year, like a good dad I let her do an "equity release" on her 2009 Ibiza so that she could buy a car in Oz. My idea was that she would buy that car back at its new market value in a years time, saving her needing to spend a bit more on an unknown secondhand car. Trouble is, she only came home for 6 months and is now just started her third year now in KL with the idea of coming home next summer for good - her car has been a greedy pig of a car as far as plucking money out of my wallet! But as a dad you do as you see fit!!

 

[Lisa407]

Yeah dad's are there for fixing things and if they don't fix it we can moan and blame them lol


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk