Re: 90 oxygen sensor

[Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>]

At 06:22 PM 6/23/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi all...
>
>Tried R&Ring the O2 sensor in my 1988 90 today and ran into a couple problems.
>
>First, I went out and sprung for a 22 mm box spanner only to find that there
>isn't enought room to maneuver the damn thing around down there!  So off to
>Western Auto I go to buy an O2 socket.  I get back, get underneath my car
>and now find that there's some sort of friggin' heat shield above the cat
>which hinders the socket from even fitting over the O2 sensor.  
>
>How do you get the damn thing off??  Do I have to remove the heat shield, or
>is there an easier way?  Is the O2 socket I bought too long?

Forget the O2 socket.  Use your box spanner, closed end.  Either cut off the
O2 wire just above the sensor and slide the wrench over, or disconnect the
connector, pull it down to the bottom of the car, and slide the connector
through the wrench end (it will fit, one connector at a time).  Should be
enough room to manuver (lot easier than a socket).  Did this recently on
both my 90's.

>Second, how do you get the 2 pin connector, connected to the O2 sensor
>itself, out of the support bracket which is mounted to the head?  What's the
>trick to it??  I'm assuming you don't have to break it off...

You have to spread the two metal 'arms' of the bracket apart enough so it
will squeeze out; put the new one in, and squeeze the arms back.  You can do
it on the car (I have plenty of practice), but you might find it easier the
first time to remove from the car and do on your workbench.

One other thing to be careful of...the O2 wiring goes thru two clips that
attach to the tranny to keep the wire from moving around and getting fried.
They can slide off with the wire instead of staying on, so make sure you
study the wiring before removing it.  You can reach the top clip without too
much trouble (although if you want to do it the longer, yet easier way, take
out your battery and remove the access panel cover at the bottom and the
clip is right there).  The bottom clip is more of a pain; removing the right
front wheel helps access.

HTH; e-mail me if you want any more info.............SLM
>
>Chris
>

Steve Manning:	stephenm@ix.netcom.com (Metro D.C. area, USA)
	Mopar:	'67 & '68 Plymouth Furys (big blocks)
		'70 Barracuda convertible (small block)
		'87 GLHS (tiny block)
	Audi:	Two '88 90Q's (built on the same day)
	Misc:	'73 Ford Country Squire wagon (daily driver!); other stuff...