Dodge Repair: Engine light, intake plenum, dodge caravan

Question
HI . Ihave dodge caravan 1998 156.000 mies on.last couple days i have been driving with the engine lights on auto zone tested they give me the code po138 i looked up to codes  and high voltage 02 sensor bank 1. any help i would apprecaited THANKS

Answer
Upstream o2 sensor shorted to voltage code.  MOST of the time you can just put in a sensor and kick it down the road.  Other times you could have wiring issues or a faulty computer.  I'm leaning towards the first on your vehicle.  

There's good and bad news.  Good is it's PROBABLY just the o2.  The bad depends on which engine you have.  If you have the 3.0L V6 then you can replace it yourself with maybe $30.00 worth of tools.  If you have the 3.3L/3.8L then you have to get to the sensor from under the car and it's not alot of fun.  The electrical connector is mounted even higher than the sensor (clips in to the back of the intake manifold) and probably out of reach from under the car.

You have a couple of options with the 3.3L/3.8L.  First is of course to let a mechanic with a lift do it.  Second would be disconnect the connector by squeezing your hand under the throttle body and in to the back side to disconnect the connector.  That usually involves any of the following: scraping knuckles, bleeding, cussing and the throwing of tools.  This would be followed by laying under the car and unscrewing the o2 sensor from the (usually really hot) exhaust pipe.  It's a 7/8 inch hex head which you may try a wrench or any variety of specially designed o2 sensor sockets.

Or... if you really like work without too much blood then you could 1. remove the wiper cowl 2. remove the intake plenum 3. Get right to it.  But you will need more time, parts and should really do a tune up at the same time.  Use almost any brand wires you like but only use the champion platinum plugs as described on your emissions label.
Doug