Highlander O2 sensors

Are some oxygen sensors better than others or do they all perform the
same?

2003 Highlander here.

--

=================================================
Franz Fripplfrappl

On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:03:58 -0500, Ray O wrote:

> "franz fripplfrappl" <bogus@bogus.net> wrote in message
> news:YVqck.9377$LG4.9142@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com...
>> Are some oxygen sensors better than others or do they all perform the
>> same?
>>
>> 2003 Highlander here.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> ================================================= Franz Fripplfrappl
>
> Yes, some oxygen sensors are better than others.
>
> The answer to your second question is they all perform the same function
> but some are less durable and are more difficult to install because they
> don't fit as well or they require soldering or crimping wires. Since
> many people do not have good soldering skills or possess the proper
> crimping tools, the job is done poorly and they end up needing another
> O2 sensor in a short time. Some sensors are not as durable as OEM
> sensors.
>
> Your best and easiest bet is to use OEM sensors.
>
> I have some questions for you:
> Do you think you need an oxygen sensor? How do you know that you need an
> oxygen sensor?
>
> You ask a lot of questions, which is one of the best ways to learn -
> keep it up! I'll try to coach you on how to ask the right questions
> that will get you useful information. :-)

No problem yet with 02 sensor. I am curious more than anything else. I
believe the one(s) I have are originals. The vehicle is a 2003
Highlander with 55,000 miles. Also was wondering if replacing the unit
with a better one would improve mileage.

Yes, I ask too many questions because I want to know. My friends have
abandoned me because of my constant inquisitiveness. No one wants to
hire me because I poke around too much. I bide my time waiting for
Homeland Security to haul me away for questioning, but I'd probably have
too many for them as well.

Thanks for our help and kindness.

--

=================================================
Franz Fripplfrappl

In article
<3f23f553-9056-4867-b0be-b1a91b2e793f@i76g2000hsf..com>,
johngdole@m wrote:

> There are many different types of "oxygen sensor". For example, wide-
> band, planar, the old thimble, etc.

Which one of those is "better?"

In article <0LadndLgYoiQEOjVnZ2dnUVZ_jOdnZ2d@>,
"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:

> The various types of O2 sensors all work under the same principle. If the
> mixture is lean, voltage goes up, and if the mixture is rich, voltage goes
> down (not the opposite as I erroneously posted earlier in this thread as
> aaracuda pointed out).

That's the same thing you posted earlier, and it's still backwards.
Lean = low voltage, rich = high voltage, been that way since 1978 as
taught by Julie Sherwood at the Chrysler Training Center, 1979 new model
introduction.

> The different types of sensors, like thimble and
> planar, refer to their construction, not their function.
>
> There are aftermarket "universal" sensors where you have to splice wires and
> there are aftermarket sensors with connectors that fit the factory harness.

On Jul 10, 8:06 am, aarcuda69062 <nonel...@> wrote:
> In article <0LadndLgYoiQEOjVnZ2dnUVZ_jOdn...@>,
>  "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>
> > The various types of O2 sensors all work under the same principle.  If the
> > mixture is lean, voltage goes up, and if the mixture is rich, voltage goes
> > down (not the opposite as I erroneously posted earlier in this thread as
> > aaracuda pointed out).
>
> That's the same thing you posted earlier, and it's still backwards.
> Lean = low voltage, rich = high voltage, been that way since 1978 as
> taught by Julie Sherwood at the Chrysler Training Center, 1979 new model
> introduction.

In a twist of irony, technically the front "oxygen" sensors in the
OP's vehicle are A/F ratio sensors, which in fact do increase
(scantool voltage PID) when lean, decrease when rich. That goes for
the 4 or 6 cylinder. Why post more details when you can just wait for
someone to give all possible permutations? :-)

Toyota MDT in MO

In article
<d8e81b61-ca02-410e-9374-022fa08e7d31@f36g2000hsa..com>,
Comboverfish <comboverfishm> wrote:

> On Jul 10, 8:06 am, aarcuda69062 <nonel...@> wrote:
> > In article <0LadndLgYoiQEOjVnZ2dnUVZ_jOdn...@>,
> >  "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> >
> > > The various types of O2 sensors all work under the same principle.  If the
> > > mixture is lean, voltage goes up, and if the mixture is rich, voltage goes
> > > down (not the opposite as I erroneously posted earlier in this thread as
> > > aaracuda pointed out).
> >
> > That's the same thing you posted earlier, and it's still backwards.
> > Lean = low voltage, rich = high voltage, been that way since 1978 as
> > taught by Julie Sherwood at the Chrysler Training Center, 1979 new model
> > introduction.
>
> In a twist of irony, technically the front "oxygen" sensors in the
> OP's vehicle are A/F ratio sensors,

I was saving that for the 'money shot.'

> which in fact do increase
> (scantool voltage PID) when lean, decrease when rich.

ahh... The PID is a voltage display but is that actually what is
happening ;-)?

> That goes for
> the 4 or 6 cylinder. Why post more details when you can just wait for
> someone to give all possible permutations? :-)
>
> Toyota MDT in MO

On Jul 10, 5:49 pm, aarcuda69062 <nonel...@> wrote:
> In article
> <d8e81b61-ca02-410e-9374-022fa08e7...@f36g2000hsa..com>,
>
>
>
>
>
>  Comboverfish <comboverf...m> wrote:
> > On Jul 10, 8:06 am, aarcuda69062 <nonel...@> wrote:
> > > In article <0LadndLgYoiQEOjVnZ2dnUVZ_jOdn...@>,
> > >  "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>
> > > > The various types of O2 sensors all work under the same principle.  If the
> > > > mixture is lean, voltage goes up, and if the mixture is rich, voltage goes
> > > > down (not the opposite as I erroneously posted earlier in this thread as
> > > > aaracuda pointed out).
>
> > > That's the same thing you posted earlier, and it's still backwards.
> > > Lean = low voltage, rich = high voltage, been that way since 1978 as
> > > taught by Julie Sherwood at the Chrysler Training Center, 1979 new model
> > > introduction.
>
> > In a twist of irony, technically the front "oxygen" sensors in the
> > OP's vehicle are A/F ratio sensors,
>
> I was saving that for the 'money shot.'

Not to worry, there's plenty of clean face left.

> > which in fact do increase
> > (scantool voltage PID) when lean, decrease when rich.  
>
> ahh... The PID is a voltage display but is that actually what is
> happening ;-)?

The smiley and your understanding of all things automotive lead me to
believe that if I answered "sort of but not really" you'd be fine with
that?

:-)
Toyota MDT in MO

In article
<ad018136-a276-4329-aa61-8a4d553b1cc3@l42g2000hsc..com>,
Comboverfish <comboverfishm> wrote:

> > ahh... The PID is a voltage display but is that actually what is
> > happening ;-)?
>
> The smiley and your understanding of all things automotive lead me to
> believe that if I answered "sort of but not really" you'd be fine with
> that?
>
> :-)
> Toyota MDT in MO

Absolutely!

How's your AC season been so far?

In article <b8idnWtNT5xIRevVnZ2dnUVZ_sWdnZ2d@>,
"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:

> I have it right in my head, I just can't explain it worth a hill of beans,
> as 2 attempts have shown. I give up on the explanation ;-)

Be extra careful climbing.
Don't want to read about you in Readers Digest.

On Jul 11, 8:45 am, aarcuda69062 <nonel...@> wrote:
> In article
> <ad018136-a276-4329-aa61-8a4d553b1...@l42g2000hsc..com>,
>
>  Comboverfish <comboverf...m> wrote:
> > > ahh... The PID is a voltage display but is that actually what is
> > > happening ;-)?
>
> > The smiley and your understanding of all things automotive lead me to
> > believe that if I answered "sort of but not really" you'd be fine with
> > that?
>
> > :-)
> > Toyota MDT in MO
>
> Absolutely!
>
> How's your AC season been so far?

Couldn't suck more. I've done maybe a couple more A/C repairs than
wheel bearing repacks, if you get my drift. I guess your's has been
OK? You seem to get a lot of it from what I've read.

Toyota MDT in MO

Wait, I forgot about charging our 15-20 year old house HVAC system
this May. I guess that's A/C work, if you overlook the fact that it
cost money to do it...