I was recently diagnosed with a faulty O2 sensor, with a dealer replacement job costing $420. I want to do this on my own and save some cash. The question I have is, can I just replace it and be done with it? Or does it require time at the dealer to reset codes and stuff?

Thanks!

 

Yes, this is very doable at home. Removing the old sensor may be the most difficult step and it is not that hard. Get a look under the car to see the access, you will have to cut some zip ties that hold the wiring in place, the lead is extremely long.

And the code is easily erased by using the DTC box under the hood. On the driverside fender.

But, a word of caution, many 02 sensor trouble codes might not actually be a faulty sensor, there are other items that can trigger a bad 02 sensor code.

One very common one is an air leak, check all of your vacuum hoses, the air induction rubber thoroughly. Do you know what the trouble code was?

DanR '94 964 356,000 miles (122,000 on the new engine)

 

thank you Dan,

I do not know what the code reading was, the dealership told me the o2 sensor was the cause of the rough idle. It has never been replaced and the car has 170k miles on it so I am inclined to believe the dealership's diagnosis.
How can I reset the code at home?