driving back to tampa yesterday and my check engine light came on. so i pulled over and plugged in my edge programmer. i gave me codes P1000: on-board diagnostic (obd) system readiness test not complete, and P0156: Heated O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction. my question is how long can i drive with this 02 sensor circuit problem since i cant fix it till i get back to my parents house around thanksgiving.

thanks - also is there any special tools i'll need for this?


oh p.s. 2000 f150 5.4 4x4 102k

 

Unless you have to pass an emissions test, you can pretty much ignore that O2 code until you get around to fixing it.

 

ok, where is the sensor located?

 

P0156 is the rear sensor on the driver's side. Don't worry about it, its only function is to report catalyst efficiency. It will not affect the way the engine runs at all, it just has to be fixed to pass an emissions test.

With 102k, what you might want to do is replace both front sensors, then install the old front sensors in the rear. It may improve your gas mileage. New Motorcraft or Bosch sensors (the only recommended brands) are about 50 bucks each online.

 

I hear of guys doing that putting the old ones in the rear spot. I can never get them out without destroying them though..

 

k, also how long does the process take of changing all of them?

 

Same here, you can destroy the rear bung trying to remove. Yea, the forward O2's are the SAME as the rears. The difference is assigned duty and harness length. Duty is changed at the PCM side of the harness.

 

BTW, I've fixed those rear bungs if the threads get botched up. By chasing them w/thread chaser. Thing is , they can leak. To correct that, - instead of using anti-seize on the O2 threads, - use permatex w/copper.

 

There is absolutely no point in replacing all of them unless you have time and money to waste.

Fix the existing fault and move on.

 

He was asking that in response to my recommendation, which does do more than just fix the problem.

 

What is the defined, positive benefit of doing so ("..more than just fix the problem...")?

If OBDII isn't complaining about the O2 sensors, then they're usually good enough unless you can watch their switching on a scope and see that they're weak or lazy.

 

You have a point - but it's a "why not" type of thing. Just a suggestion, and it's not that costly - just more time-consuming.

 

ok, so ive been driving my truck for several days now with out replacing the sensor and no check engine light has appeared. so should i still replace it?

 

The fronts should be replaced every 100k or so. Theyll work until they dont but they loose efficiency.. Dont HAVE to do it. Your truck will run a little better if you do though.