Replacing an oxygen sensor is a common repair that many car owners will need at some point. In complement, this article explains what to do after replacing oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor is an important part of the car’s pollution control system. It measures how much oxygen is in the exhaust gases. A bad oxygen monitor can lead to some problems, like less fuel economy, bad performance, and more pollution.
In this article, apart from the things to do after changing the oxygen sensor, we also discuss how to reset your car after changing oxygen sensor and how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to activate.
What to do after changing oxygen sensor
Oxygen sensors measure the amount of oxygen in the waste gas to help figure out how much air and fuel the engine is using.
Below is what to do after replacing oxygen sensor:
1. Double-check the installation
After replacing the oxygen sensor, be sure it’s placed and linked correctly. If the monitor isn’t put in correctly or isn’t hooked to the right thing, it might not work right or give you accurate information.
Make sure the electrical connection is tight and that the lines are not broken or torn. Also, ensure the oxygen sensor is tightened according to the manufacturer’s instructions to stop leaks.
2. Reset the Check Engine Light
If the Check Engine Light is on in your car, it could be because the oxygen sensor is broken. By turning off and on the Check Engine Light, you can see if the new oxygen sensor is working right, which is the right thing to do after replacing oxygen sensor. According to GOFAR, you want to drive for about 50 to 100 miles before inspecting the check engine light.
To turn the light back on, you have to unplug the negative battery wire for about 15 minutes and then plug it back in. This will let the car’s computer restart itself and get rid of any error codes that the broken oxygen sensor might have set off.
3. Test drive your car
After you turn off the Check Engine Light, try to drive your car to see if it works well. Drive your car for at least 10 to 15 minutes to let the engine wake up and the computer re-adjust to the new sensor.
Pay attention to any strange sounds, smells, or bad behavior as you drive. If everything seems fine, the new oxygen sensor is likely working well.
4. Watch how well your car runs
Regarding what to do after replacing oxygen sensor, you want to keep an eye on how your car runs and how much gas it uses for a few days. If the engine light comes back on or if the car acts strangely, it could mean that the oxygen sensor is broken or that there is another problem with the car.
Keeping track of your gas mileage is a good way to check how well your car is running. If your car is getting better gas mileage, it means that the new oxygen sensor is doing its job.
5. Drive your car in different kinds of weather
You should drive your car in different situations to make sure that the new oxygen sensor is working right.
This means driving it in different weather, at different speeds, and in different kinds of traffic. This will help you find any problems with the sensor that you might not have noticed during the first test run.
6. Check to see if there are any leaks
Another thing to do after changing oxygen sensor is to check for leaks after replacing the old oxygen sensor with a new one. Leaks can happen if the sensor is not put in correctly or if the cover of the sensor is broken.
Check to see if the sensor casing has any cracks or other signs of damage. If you see any damage, you should either replace the case or take the car to a skilled mechanic.
7. Maintain your car regularly
To keep your car going well, you need to do the regular repair. It’s important to keep up with maintenance like oil changes and tune-ups after replacing the oxygen sensor. With regular repair, you can make sure that your car is running at its best and stop problems from happening.
How do I reset my car after changing oxygen sensor
After replacing an oxygen sensor, and having known what to do after replacing oxygen sensor, you may need to restart your car’s computer to get rid of any error codes that the old sensor may have caused. When you reset the computer, it will be able to readjust the engine’s performance to the new sensor.
Here’s how to reset your car after changing an oxygen sensor:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable
The first step to restarting the computer in your car is to disconnect the negative battery cable.
This will turn off the machine and erase any error codes it has saved. Loosen the negative wire from the battery post with a wrench, and then slowly pull it off the post.
2. Wait 15–30 minutes
After you unplug the battery cable, you should wait 15–30 minutes to let the computer restart fully. This will give the computer time to restart the engine control system and clear any error codes.
3. Connect the battery cable
After waiting the right amount of time, connect the negative battery cable to the battery connector. Use a wrench to tighten the wire until it fits together well.
4. Move the key to the On position
Move the key to the on position without starting the engine. This will let the computer run through its self-diagnostic loop and clear any error codes that may still be there.
5. Start the car’s engine and take it for a test drive
Start the car’s engine and take it for a test drive. Drive the car for at least 10–15 minutes to let the engine wake up and the computer re-adjust to the new oxygen sensor. Pay attention to any strange sounds, smells, or bad behavior while driving your car.
Why is my check engine light still on after changing oxygen sensor?
If the Check Engine light is still on after replacing the oxygen sensor, there are a few things that could be wrong.
One reason could be that the new oxygen sensor wasn’t properly installed or connected. Another reason could be that there is another problem with the vehicle’s emissions control system that needs to be fixed.
It’s also possible that the computer system needs to be reset to clear the error code.
How long does it take for new oxygen sensor to activate?
After a new oxygen sensor is installed, it may take a little while for it to start working properly. Most of the time, it takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours for the new oxygen sensor to turn on and start giving the engine control system correct numbers.
During the first start-up, the car’s computer will run a series of checks and tests to make sure that all devices, including the new oxygen sensor, are working properly. Based on the data from the new sensor, the computer will also change different engine settings, such as fuel delivery and spark timing, to improve the engine’s performance. Once the sensor is turned on, it should start giving the engine control system correct information.
In general, how long it takes the new oxygen sensor to work depends on the make and model of the car, the type of sensor being put in, and how the car is being driven.
Changing an oxygen sensor is one thing but knowing what to do after replacing oxygen sensor is another. The O2 sensor change will help your car run better, use less gas, and put out less pollution. However, the few checklists mentioned above will further enhance the vehicle’s performance in different situations.
