DIY: Replacing O2 / Lambda sensor
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:41 am
Ok after spending many hours reading through other threads and then having to pm ppl (thanks TCGPX) and then ben coming through wth a lovely diagram to boot. I thought i would just put all the info in one spot. This is by no means all my work, i compiled the info in convenent location to help stop the increase of duplicate post. Hope it helps 
When to replace your O2 sensor:
a) check engine lights coming on (and you have checked ecu error codes)
b) engine surging and/or hesitation
c) Poor or decreased fuel econmy (vehicle running rich)
d) Failed exhaust emissions testing
e) premature failure of the cat (rotten egg smell)
f) some manufacturers recommend replacement every 90,000km
Benefits of replacing
a) Increased fuel economy (may improve fuel economy as much as 10%-15%)
b) reduce exhaust emissions (keep the tree huggin hippies happy )
c) reduce the risk of costly damage to the cat (keep your walet happy)
d) ensure peak engine performance (keep you happy)
e) Decrease premature ageing of spark plugs.
What it does
Measures the presence of oxygen in the exhaust gas so that the engine ECU can adjust fuel/air ratios accordingly. Lambda is the point at which fuel and air are burned perfectly together, this is at a ratio of 14.7:1 air to fuel.
O2 sensor location:
Underneath car, screwed into drivers side of exhaust before cat, underneath drivers footwell.
Tools:
1 x 22mm spanner
1 x side cutter pliers
1 x soldering iron
Electrical tape
Factory Wiring:
94 gr, 95 gpx, (will add more as i find out)
Heater wires can connect toeither one there is no negative or positive
Purchasing:
Cost anywhere from $60-$110 for sensor
Purchase new O2 sensor from repco, supercheap etc Ask for o2 senor (4 wire) for 6A12 galant. ACA brand, Part Number: OX204 (thanks ben)
or
from purchase from (ebay) here
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/OXYGEN-SENSOR-O2 ... dZViewItem
Time: 30 mins
Installing:
1) Pull gromet out from underside of car. keep pulling and a white plug should follow, disconnect plug.
2) Remove old sensor by unscrewing from exhaust. It might be tight so the use of a spray on lubricant like WD40 maybe needed (leave for a day for optimum effect).
3) Cut plug off old sensor but leave plenty of wire for reconnecting to new sensor.
4) Solder wires from plug to new sensor (if brought sensor from ebay follow this diagram)
Thanks Bennoz
All other brands will have a diagram or info on what colour wire goes to what. So just follow the diagram under factory wiring as where to wire up.
5) Tape solded connections and refit in opposite order as removed.
Side notes
The sensor after the cat is not an o2 sensor but a cat temp sensor.
Hope i havent left anything out and it helps
Disclaimer: This is an extremely easy task but i take no responsibilty for any incorrect information and by following this DIY, any work done on your vehicle is done so at your own risk...
PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO THAT I HAVE MISSED OUT PLEASE PM SO I CAN ADD IT.
When to replace your O2 sensor:
a) check engine lights coming on (and you have checked ecu error codes)
b) engine surging and/or hesitation
c) Poor or decreased fuel econmy (vehicle running rich)
d) Failed exhaust emissions testing
e) premature failure of the cat (rotten egg smell)
f) some manufacturers recommend replacement every 90,000km
Benefits of replacing
a) Increased fuel economy (may improve fuel economy as much as 10%-15%)
b) reduce exhaust emissions (keep the tree huggin hippies happy
)c) reduce the risk of costly damage to the cat (keep your walet happy)
d) ensure peak engine performance (keep you happy)
e) Decrease premature ageing of spark plugs.
What it does
Measures the presence of oxygen in the exhaust gas so that the engine ECU can adjust fuel/air ratios accordingly. Lambda is the point at which fuel and air are burned perfectly together, this is at a ratio of 14.7:1 air to fuel.
O2 sensor location:
Underneath car, screwed into drivers side of exhaust before cat, underneath drivers footwell.
Tools:
1 x 22mm spanner
1 x side cutter pliers
1 x soldering iron
Electrical tape
Factory Wiring:
94 gr, 95 gpx, (will add more as i find out)
Heater wires can connect toeither one there is no negative or positive
Purchasing:
Cost anywhere from $60-$110 for sensor
Purchase new O2 sensor from repco, supercheap etc Ask for o2 senor (4 wire) for 6A12 galant. ACA brand, Part Number: OX204 (thanks ben)
or
from purchase from (ebay) here
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/OXYGEN-SENSOR-O2 ... dZViewItem
Time: 30 mins
Installing:
1) Pull gromet out from underside of car. keep pulling and a white plug should follow, disconnect plug.
2) Remove old sensor by unscrewing from exhaust. It might be tight so the use of a spray on lubricant like WD40 maybe needed (leave for a day for optimum effect).
3) Cut plug off old sensor but leave plenty of wire for reconnecting to new sensor.
4) Solder wires from plug to new sensor (if brought sensor from ebay follow this diagram)
Thanks Bennoz
All other brands will have a diagram or info on what colour wire goes to what. So just follow the diagram under factory wiring as where to wire up.
5) Tape solded connections and refit in opposite order as removed.
Side notes
The sensor after the cat is not an o2 sensor but a cat temp sensor.
Hope i havent left anything out and it helps
Disclaimer: This is an extremely easy task but i take no responsibilty for any incorrect information and by following this DIY, any work done on your vehicle is done so at your own risk...
PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO THAT I HAVE MISSED OUT PLEASE PM SO I CAN ADD IT.
been thinking about replacing it for a while .. will do it when I replace the cat..
. To 550km and thats with some hard driving. Please keep in mind my car is a tip. SOme of the other members have had upto 730km per tank with manuals. It also depends on how you drive you car. 
now I need to get a new one from the Mitsi parts shop 
when I soldered the new sensor o the plug I think I melted the conectors or I just did not conect the wires up right 