My oxygen sensor on my 03 Honda Element failed. How do I replace it myself?

The Air/Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor 1 is installed in the exhaust system and detects oxygen content in the exhaust gas. The A/F sensor transmits output voltage to the Engine Control Module (ECM). A heater for the sensor element is embedded in the A/F sensor (sensor 1). That would be the first sensor.

How to Diagnose a P0135 -Heater
Performance Bank 1 Sensor 1 (GM 3.5L) January 31, 2012 Updated: October 29, 2014 Written by: Abraham Torres-Arredondo Article Id: 371

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If your check engine light is on and you have a diagnostic trouble code P0135 stored in the PCM's memory... then you've come to the right place to test and troubleshoot the upstream oxygen sensor.
A P0135 DTC says: HO2S Heater Performance Bank 1 Sensor 1... and this means that the PCM (Powertrain Control Module = Fuel Injection Computer) has detected a problem with the front oxygen sensor's heater element or a problem in the heater's circuit (wires).
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to check the oxygen (O2) sensor's heater element and the two circuits that feed it with power (10 to 12 Volts) and ground with a multimeter.
In case you're wondering, where the oxygen (O2) sensor that the code P0135 is accusing of being BAD is... this bad boy is located on the exhaust manifold and before the catalytic converter.
To help you navigate this article, here are its main points:

1. Symptoms of a BAD Oxygen Sensor Heater Element.
2. What Tools Do I Need to Test Code P0135?
3. What Does the Heater Inside the Oxygen Sensor Do?
4. Circuit Descriptions of the Downstream Oxygen Sensor.
5. Start Here.
6. TEST 1: Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1 Test.
7. TEST 2: Checking 12 Volts to O2 Heater.
8. TEST 3: Checking the O2 Heater's Ground Circuit.
9. TEST 4: Ohming the O2 Heater Element.
10. P0135 O2 Sensor Heater Test Summary.

Buying a Digital Multimeter for Automotive Diagnostic Testing (found at: easyautodiagnostics.com).

Scan Tool.

1. Don't have one?... check out my recommendation: Abe's Scan Tool Recommendation.

Wire Piercing Probe.

1. Although this tool is not an absolute must, if you do buy one, you'll realize just how easy it makes testing the voltages inside the wires.
2. If you need to see what this tool looks like, you can see it here:Wire Piercing Probe.

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Applies To:

Buick Vehicles:

• Rainier 4.2L
  • 2004, 2005

Chevrolet Vehicles:

• Colorado 3.5L
  • 2004, 2005
• Trailblazer
  • 2004, 2005

3.5L
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How to Test the MAF Sensor and Codes: P0100, P0101, P0102, P0103
How To Test for a Blown Head Gasket (GM 3.5L -FWD)
All Articles: 3.5L "A day without sunshine is like, you know, night"
Steve Martin
MORE TUTORIALS:

Technical Description O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2) What does that mean? This code means that the heated circuit in the oxygen sensor on bank 1 decreases time needed to enter closed loop. As the O2 heater reaches operating temperature, the oxygen sensor responds by switching according to oxygen content of the exhaust surrounding it. The ECM tracks how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to begin switching. It the ECM determines (based on coolant temp) that too much time elapsed before the oxygen sensor began operating properly, it will set P0141. See also: P0135 (Bank 1, Sensor 1). Symptoms You will likely notice poor fuel economy the illumination of the Check Engine Light. Causes A code P0141 may mean that one or more of the following has happened: open or short to ground in the wiring harness O2 heater circuit wiring high resistance O2 heater element resistance is high Internal short or open in the heater element Note: Typically a failed catalytic converter does not cause this code. You're more likely to see a P0420 code for a failed converter. Possible Solutions Replace oxygen sensor (cannot repair open or short that occurs internally to sensor) Repair short or open or high resistance in wiring harness or harness connectors



Try wiggling the wire to the Oxygen sensor. Probably just corroded or loose! Worst case, $25 for a new sensor.

SHOULD SAY EITHER UP STEAM OR DOWN STREAM ON THE COMPUTER. UP STRAM IS RIGHT SIDE AND DOWN IS LEFT SIDE

Probably the heater element in the Oxygen sensor has failed.

Oxygen Sensor problems... P0135 (Bank 1, Sensor 1) and P0141 (Bank 1, Sensor 2)

P0135 - Oxygen O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
This code refers to the front oxygen sensor on Bank 1. The heated circuit in the oxygen sensor decreases time needed to enter closed loop. As the O2 heater reaches operating temperature, the oxygen sensor responds by switching according to oxygen content of the exhaust surrounding it.

The ECM tracks how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to begin switching. It the ECM determines (based on coolant temp) that too much time elapsed before the oxygen sensor began operating properly, it will set P0135.

Symptoms: You will likely notice poor fuel economy the illumination of the MIL.

Causes: A code P0135 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
O2 Heater element resistance is high
Internal short or open in the heater element
O2 heater circuit wiring high resistance
open or short to ground in the wiring harness

Possible Solutions:
Repair short or open or high resistance in wiring harness or harness connectors
Replace oxygen sensor (cannot repair open or short that occurs internally to sensor)



P0141 - O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
This code means that the heated circuit in the oxygen sensor on bank 1 decreases time needed to enter closed loop. As the O2 heater reaches operating temperature, the oxygen sensor responds by switching according to oxygen content of the exhaust surrounding it. The ECM tracks how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to begin switching. It the ECM determines (based on coolant temp) that too much time elapsed before the oxygen sensor began operating properly, it will set P0141.

Symptoms: You will likely notice poor fuel economy the illumination of the Check Engine Light.

Causes: A code P0141 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
open or short to ground in the wiring harness
O2 heater circuit wiring high resistance
O2 heater element resistance is high
Internal short or open in the heater element

Note: Typically a failed catalytic converter does not cause this code. You're more likely to see a P0420 code for a failed converter.

Possible Solutions:
Replace oxygen sensor (cannot repair open or short that occurs internally to sensor)
Repair short or open or high resistance in wiring harness or harness connectors


Hope this helps (remember to rate this answer)..

P0141 - O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
This code means that the heated circuit in the oxygen sensor on bank 1 decreases time needed to enter closed loop. As the O2 heater reaches operating temperature, the oxygen sensor responds by switching according to oxygen content of the exhaust surrounding it. The ECM tracks how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to begin switching. It the ECM determines (based on coolant temp) that too much time elapsed before the oxygen sensor began operating properly, it will set P0141. See also: P0135 (Bank 1, Sensor 1).

Symptoms
You will likely notice poor fuel economy the illumination of the Check Engine Light.

Causes: A code P0141 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
* open or short to ground in the wiring harness
* O2 heater circuit wiring high resistance
* O2 heater element resistance is high
* Internal short or open in the heater element

Note: Typically a failed catalytic converter does not cause this code. You're more likely to see a P0420 code for a failed converter.

Possible Solutions
* Replace oxygen sensor (cannot repair open or short that occurs internally to sensor)
* Repair short or open or high resistance in wiring harness or harness connectors

Hope helps (remember to rate this answer).

You don't change an O2 Sensor based on a code
The code only points to an area of a possible issue,such as an out of range sensor.
You then diagnose and test,in your case the O2 Sensor,and replace only if it fails to work correctly.
Why wouldn't you clear the code after replacing,if it was still on,when you started the engine
Buy a cheap code reader

This code means that the heated circuit in the oxygen sensor on bank 1 decreases time needed to enter closed loop. As the O2 heater reaches operating temperature, the oxygen sensor responds by switching according to oxygen content of the exhaust surrounding it. The ECM tracks how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to begin switching. It the ECM determines (based on coolant temp) that too much time elapsed before the oxygen sensor began operating properly, it will set P0141.

Here are a few causes, that may have contributed to this failed sensors actions:

A.Open or short to ground in the wiring harness(CHeck the sensor harness for this type of fualt)
B.O2 heater circuit wiring high resistance(Replace this sensor if this exsist)
C.O2 heater element resistance is high(Replace the sensor if this exsist)
D.Internal short or open in the heater element(Replace the sensor if this exsist)

NOTE_Possible Solutions

A. Replace oxygen sensor (cannot repair open or short that occurs internally to sensor)
B. Repair short or open or high resistance in wiring harness or harness connectors


P0141_O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)

On Honda Accord the O2 sensor is located either on the exhaust manifold near to the front or side of the manifold, or in the manifold rear side, depending if it is a four or six cylinders model.

To give an idea of the job, check this website showing the procedure on a different car:

How to Replace an Oxygen Sensor -

To find step by step for your car, I suggest buying the Haynes manual.

To order the part you can use the website below, or buy it at a local car parts shop.

Honda Oxygen Sensor - Oxygen Sensors - Partstrain.com