The engine light on my dad's car is on. I told him to get it checked and this is what he found: Left rear bank: slow responce 02 sensor.

He didn't get the actual code # :banghead:

Anyone have any insight into this. Is this sensor before or after the converter.

2000 Taurus 3.0 Not a duratec

Thanks,

Joe

You'll really want to get the code. I'd guess that by "left rear bank" they meant Bank 2, Sensor 2, but the code number would clear that up.

Be warned though that a code of a slowly responding oxygen sensor does not mean the oxygen sensor is faulty. There are other problems that can trigger such a code.

-Rod

OK, the code was reset, and it came back. The code is P0133. What else should I check before replacing the 02 Sensor?

Where is this sensor located? Pre Cat/converter near the radiator right?

Thanks,

Joe

That code points to Bank 1, sensor 1 which is the rear bank (like you suggested). Sensor 1 would be the sensor before the catalytic converter, but this code does not necessarily indicate a bad HO2 sensor.

From the service manual, the following are the potential likely culprits to cause the P0133:
Contaminated HO2S sensor.
Exhaust leaks.
Shorted /open wiring.
Improper fueling.
MAF sensor.
Deteriorating HO2S sensor.
Inlet air leaks.Check the easy, free items first.

-Rod

How would you clean the sensor if it was contaminated? I'd like to clean mine because I'm sure the quart of oil I'm sending out the exhaust every 800 miles has them coated and causing my codes. I'm pushing 289,000 miles now, but need to keep using this car for a couple more months before I can rebuild or replace the motor. Can any chemicals be used on the sensors that won't hurt them? Would 0000# steel wool cause damage? What is recommended, other than replacing?

Hmmm, I'm not sure anything other than replacement is recommended. However, if you are pretty sure they are causing the problem, it won't hurt to try to clean them, right? So you might try the steel wool following by a washing of throttle body cleaner to see if that helps at all.

-Rod

OK, I've had the code reset once again. The light came back on, and I had the codes checked again.

This time the codes were P0455 and PO457. The 02 sensors codes did not come back. This is after about 500 miles since last resetting the 02 codes. So now, the ONLY codes are the 455 and 457.

So far both 02 sensors have shown slow responce and now the PO455 and PO457 codes are showing up.

How can these codes be related. A vac leak? If so where should I look?

We have had an 'evap' code problem on this car before. It turned out to be an O'ring that the dealer left out during service. It was very hard to track down, but we fixed it with the help of this forum.

It didn't set any 02 codes when we first had an evap leak though???