QuestionQUESTION: I just purchased a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix for my son. The dealer replaced the catalytic convertor, fuel filter, fuel pump and a vacuum line filter.
On our way home, the check engine light came on. A diagnostic check says there is a failure in Sensor 2 of Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1.
Any help you can provide in locating and replacing this sensor will be appreciated.
ANSWER: Hi Amy:
The sensor #2 is the past the converter to the rear of the car. That code can set from either a bad sensor, the heater being bad or from a blown fuse for the heater. Chnaces are that if it wasn't there before and now it is the snsor was damaged when the converter was replaced. that has to be switched over from the old converter to the new one. One of the wires may have been damaged or if they had to use a torch to heat up the pipe to remove the sensor then it could have been damaged. Make sure if you do replace it than you use only an AC Delco part no aftermarket one.
Good luck :)
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QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response.
One more question .. If it is this sensor that is bad, would it also cause a "whiny" noise, almost like air being sucked through a straw, from under the middle of the car, and would it cause the car not to start as quickly when the key is turned?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
AnswerHi Amy:
No the oxygen sensor has nothing to do with the way the car starts. the purpose of it is to monitor the amopunt of oxygen in the exhaust system and to adjust the fuel mixture into the engine bases on those sensor readings. as for the nois it sounds like an exhaust leak. Maybe where the converter was put back onto the car. and where it meast up with the rear exhaust pipe. That wouldn't cause a hard start either.
