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Hi there,

I have Honda Civic 97 CX automatic with 80K on it. The check engine light started going orange all the time when my car is running. I got OBD2 car reader and got the following error message: “O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)”.

What does it mean?
Is it safe to drive my car while this CEL is on?
How big deal is to replace this sensor (should it be replaced) and how much it costs?

Thanks,

Vox

 
Rep Power: 0

That means your upstream (first one before the cat) oxygen sensor has gone bad and needs to be replaced. The sensors are about $60-80 from an autoparts store and aren't difficult to replace. You should get it replaced as soon as possible because this is what the car uses to determine the Air/Fuel ratio. If you go too long, the car will throw itself into limp mode because it doesn't know how much fuel to squirt.

 
Rep Power: 282

I had one on bank 1 sensor 2. means you need a new o2 sensor. Will not affect driving at all....least mine did not on the after cat sensor. The pre cat 02 sounds like is going to die...least the heater has. Mainly to get it warm so it will read right if I am not mistaken. Anyone else wanna correct me? Sensor is under $100 and would take like 10 min to replace....unclip, unscrew from exhaust mani, screw new one in, then clip back into stock wiring....reset codes at your locar shop and bam...done

 
Rep Power: 0

thats what happened to me when i eliminated my cat, it sucked, car at low rpms ran like crap, and had less power, cuz the air/fuel mixture was off, even had a cel that said that too, get it replaced, its really easy, and no biggie

 
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Any ideas/instructions how to replace it?
Some pics would be helpfull.
Sorry, I am not very hands on at all when it comes to fixing cars