[jester458]

so my friend took her 98 civic dx to the dealership cause she got a cel. they pulled the code and it was P0141 which is "O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2)"

they said both of her o2 sensors need to be replaced, and it will cost a little over 500 dollars. ($210 and $185 for the 2 sensors, plus 2 hours of labor.) it sounds rediculous to me, but 2 questions come up.

do the o2 sensors even need to be replaced?
should it cost 500 bucks?

any help would be good, cause i know nothing about civics.
thanks a lot

[hondacivicluv]

I would replace the one it called for...DO IT YOUR SELF... if it still calls a code then replace the other... I have a 97 civic ex and my O2 sensor (in the header) was like 95 dollars from advance auto parts... my other O2 (in the cat) has never called a code! $500 is way too much!!! the dealer just want your money so they will tell you to replace both of the sensors!!! you wont get as good gas mileage with the O2 not working...... or you can not worry about it in till its time to get your inspection sticker!!! thats what we are doing with our 98 accord!!!!

Hope this helped!!!!

[jester458]

if i were to replace the sensors myself...
are they easily accessible?
do i have to F* with the wiring (any splicing or whatever)?
and do i need to replace both of them even though the code (from my understanding) is only describing a problem in one of the sensors?

[hondacivicluv]

i would just replace the one it calls for... theres one in the header and one is in the exhaust... just find out which one it needs... it sounds like the one in the exhaust... you can go to any advance auto parts store or auto zone (if you have one) and they can read the code and tell you... the O2 sensor comes with a plug on the end so theres no cutting the wires... unless you get a universal O2 sensor then you will have to cut the wires... but i would get the O2 sensor with the factory plug... the one in the header is very easy... if you have the factory manifold then i think you have to take the cover off (you can still see the wires) and the O2 sensor screws out... the one in the exhaust is alittle harder... its in the catalytic converter... i'm not sure if you will have take the bolts loose or just have someone pull on the exhaust not sure havent had to replace that one.....

[jester458]

alright, thanks a lot for the help. at least now i have some idea of what to expect, and where to start. Thanks again.
p.s. WRX's for life!

[1civicpower]

they r so easy to do i would be crazy if i pay 500 even for both the only hard part at least for me was getting the old one out it felt like it was welded or something other than that pretty easy to do

[sql_civic]

I have your car and have replaced both of these sensors using a 19mm wrench, I believe (eh could be 17mm). Spray some liquid wrench on it and let it soak. When your done reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery for 10 seconds or so.

From the Helms Factory Manual:
P0141 (65)
Secondary Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Sensor 2)

Probable Causes:
1 - Open or short in Secondary HO25 (Sensor2) heater circuit
2 - ECM/PCM

It's probably not the ECU (computer).

The secondary HO2 sensor is just below your cat in the lower front part of the engine. Here's a piture of where it is (part #9):