Most cars after One thousand nine hundred ninety came equipped with two O2 sensors
Ever because the 1990s, automobiles enjoy typically come equipped with two O2 sensors on their exhaust manifold--labeled the "upstream" and the "downstream" oxygen sensors. Oxygen sensors are essentially small electronic devices that help the vehicle's computer monitor and adjust the mixture of oxygen and fuel being pumped into the engine, which in turn helps regulate the output of harmful emissions. These sockets are specially designed to remove oxygen sensors, and will work on any make or model of oxygen sensor.4. Apply a liberal coating of anti-seize compound--available at any local auto parts store--to the screw threads of the new upstream oxygen sensor.
There are two ways this can be accomplished; either open the hood of the vehicle and find the exhaust manifold, then follow it back towards the rear of the vehicle, or you can go under the car and locate the catalytic converter, then follow the exhaust manifold up towards the front of the car. Either way, the upstream oxygen sensor will look like an over-large spark plug with a cluster of wires coming out of the tip.
2. Follow the wiring coming out of the upstream oxygen sensor's tip until you find where it plugs into the vehicle's electrical system through a connector on the body of the vehicle. Unplug the wires from this connector, making sure not to damage the connector, as doing so may cause the new upstream oxygen sensor to fail.
3. Loosen and remove the upstream oxygen sensor from where it is screwed into the exhaust manifold with the ratchet and oxygen sensor socket. Replacing the first--or "upstream" oxygen sensor on the exhaust manifold is a relatively simple task in the world of car repair, but it still requires some preparation and a good dose of patience to perform correctly.
Instructions
1. Locate the upstream oxygen sensor.This will help ensure a smooth installation, and will also help make sure that it will not have frozen in place when you come to remove it again.
5. Screw the new upstream oxygen sensor into the exhaust manifold and tighten it down with the ratchet and socket. Once you have done this, plug the sensor's wiring back into the connector you found in step two, and you will have finished.
