Nissan Repair: 99 Pathfinder O2 Sesion P0158 P0159, oxygen sensors, nissan vehicles

Question
Hi Von,
I have a 99 pathfinder with 105K miles. The SES light come on with codes P0158 and P0159 (O2 sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2). I was told by the dealer part guy that it was the rear passenger side (right) O2 sensor. I just changed it and I am clearing the SES light by disconnecting the battery for 24 hours. I haven't run it yet. I've read a number of forums that say Bank 2 is the drivers side (even cylinders 2,4,6). Can you confirm that Bank 2 is the passenger side? I hope I didn't change the wrong one $$.

Also there was one other code (P0325 Knock sensor bank 1) that came up first. I read this may be logged in the ECM but not trigger the SES light - I plan to ignore this one since the car is running great (timing belt and injector cleaning service done at 89K miles). So I hope it is just the O2 sensor triggering the light, because the knock sensor looks like it is bear to change - under the intake manifold. Do you know if P0325 would trigger the SES light?

BTW - in the event that I would have to change the driver side pre-cat O2 sessor in the future, is there any trick to getting to it? I have an offset O2 socket - but this O2 sensor is burried!

Thanks in advance!
Jay

Answer
Jay,

Bank 2 sensor 2 is the read sensor on the passenger side.  You only need to disconnect the battery for five minutes to clear the code.  Autozone or Checker will clear the code for free if you purchase the part from them.  A code reader from Harbor Freight is about $50 bucks if you want your own.

The knock sensors on Nissan vehicles are prone to failure and if yours kicked a code it is coming due to be changed.

Some sensors are a pain to reach and if your tool will not do it you might have to drop the exhaust to get to it...  I would replace all the oxygen sensors in the not to distant future to get the vehicle running at its best.  They wear about the same rate and new ones really help mileage and performance.  They are only warrantied for 50K miles so most people get to 100K miles and still use them.