Lambder sensor / P0141 error

[DOS1392]

hello everyone,

I have a problem with my 1.0 litre Y Reg Corsa C, its running jerky and if i try to accelerate to hard it just jerks, Ive had it plugged in the OBD and got the error code P0141 which i know is the O2 sensor/Lambder sensor, my question now is, is it the front one or the back one? if so how do i change the back one as i only know how to do the front one.

below is the exact code:

P0141 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 2) C-31

now does that mean the rear one? if so, how do i change it out, and can i buy the same one as the front one? (eg: are they the same shape and size ect?)

thanks in advance

Dan

 

[Burnerman]

Generic codes like this one don't often distinguish between which sensor is at fault....personally I renew them in pairs.
The sensors are unlikely to be the same - a motor factor will advise you better if you give them your registration number.
The rear sensor fits in the same way as the front i.e it screws in....but doesn't always unscrew easily!
More often than not I cut the cables and use a hexagon socket to budge them, and I have got the special split socket that allows the cables to remain! I use this for screwing in the new sensors.
I'm having a little quandry about sensors and replacement cats at the moment.....whether to use pattern parts or main dealer ones. Too many pattern parts aren't curing the problem and with the new MOT this is proving to be an issue.
John

 

[DOS1392]

thanks for your reply

it sounds like a good idea to replace the pair, i know how to do the front one, but the rear one is my concern, as i dont know where it is located?

i might go to a breakers yard at the moment as i havent been paid yet and wont untill just before my mot is due, will i still pass the mot with it as it is?

its about £100 for the pair if i buy them from the trade place i go to (S and C Motorworks) but they are a really good place to go for everything, plus they give advice ect ect. even showed me the best way to change my exhaust rear box out and replace it.

any other good ideas?

cheers

 

[Burnerman]

With the new MOT, if the management lamp is on, the car will fail - irrespective of whether the emmissions are ok (chances are they won't be).
There's no absolute guarantee that you have two sensors, but the rear one will be just after the cat, screwed into the side of the pipe.
John

 

[DOS1392]

supposedly i dont have a cat on my car? as to the extend of truth on that, im not to sure :s but i can do the front one fine. is it worth going to a breakers just to try a second hand one from there? then when i get the money get a new one?

cheers for all your help john

 

[Burnerman]

The car will have a cat - it won't pass the emissions laws without one.
Breakers yard stuff - well, it wouldn't be my choice as removing these things can be nigh on impossible anyway without damage....there's nothing to prevent you trying via the phone first though. A breaker may have one off the shelf.
John

 

[DOS1392]

are they universal or set for different cars?

also do you know if i can clean mine up? or as a better altenritive, a cheaper place to buy them?

cheers.

 

[AlanE]

eBay??

 

[Burnerman]

are they universal or set for different cars?

also do you know if i can clean mine up? or as a better altenritive, a cheaper place to buy them?

cheers.

You can buy original equipment, pattern dedicated parts or universal ones......the real item will have an electrical connection block ready to plug into your cars loom.....universal ones require soldering into the existing wires.
John

 

[Belle427]

if it were mine id replace the defective sensor with a decent quality item such as a bosch. Ive never had any success with universal type sensors that require connector modifications.
Plenty of vauxhall parts specialists online, euro car parts stock them too.

 

[Burnerman]

I've a quandry with cats just now....example, petrol Pug 206, MIL lamp on, the usual lambda codes downloaded.
So -new after market cat, 2 new sensors and.......
The bloody lamp is still on
Luckily, the car had got its MOT 2 months before, so by the time it comes back, hopefully all will have been forgotten!
John

 

[DOS1392]

good news and bad news

good news:

i tried the old disconnect from the battery trick, just to check that the code hadnt already been left on it after it had been fixed (if it had been fixed but they just didnt reset) the car ran fine until i accidently stalled it by forgetting to take it out of gear when i parked :s opppps lol.

bad news (with a little good):

light came back on after i stalled :$ but the good news is, it hardly ever jerks when i accelerate now, plus ive had no flashing managment light like i was getting every day

so whats the verdict?

 

[Mursal]

I'm guessing, you wear high heels?

Well that's the only excuse, for stalling

 

[DOS1392]

haha i deserve the criticism, it was a stupid mistake, i was in a rush to let my aunts god daughter into my aunts house as my aunt has gone away, and i had the spare key, and because i was stuck in traffic i was already running really late, i pulled onto the drive and forgot to take the car out of gear, stalled just as i turned the engine off lol.

 

[Belle427]

The code you listed refers to the heater circuit on the lambda sensor, this allows the sensor to get up to temperature quickly to start its switching.
Most of the time its the heating element that has gone open circuit in the sensor but the 12 volt feed can fail to it too.
you can test the heater element with a basic multimeter.