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Cost to replace an oxygen sensor

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by CMUCasey, Jun 12, 2008.

  1. CMUCasey

    CMUCasey New Member

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    An hour and a half at the dealership so they could tell me I need a new oxygen sensor. The check engine light came on and off and on. The charge to read the code was supposed to be free IF they found a repairable problem, otherwise it would have been $100. The final estimate for my charges was going to be 225.00 which I noticed included a 50.00 fee for reading the code. I pointed this out as calmly as I could and they took it off. Since I have to return to the dealership after they can find what I thought was a standard part, I'd like to know if the fee seems a tad high or is that just my wallet complaining.
     
  2. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    Autozone will read the codes for free. $50 is a ripoff. Your car is out of warranty?
     
  3. CMUCasey

    CMUCasey New Member

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    My 05 was a used purchase and is out of warranty. There are places near by who will read the code for free too but the dealership insists that the "code" is very non specific and the tech must work through possible solutions. IF only Toyota had dealerships that matched their cars in quality :(
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The oxygen sensor is covered by the emissions warranty. If your warranty has expired, then MSRP for the sensor is $207 for sensor #1 and $139 for sensor #2.
    DiscountToyotaParts

    Do you know what DTC had been logged?
     
  5. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    it's pretty standard for them to charge a half hour to read a code- that's typically between $40 and $50.

    if you've got the code, they can use the repair manual to diagnose. the thing about the prius is that not all hybrid specific codes are readable in a standard obd2 reader. and they want the money for doing the job instead of letting you get it done for free... :rolleyes:

    just wanted to clarify about emissions warranty... most emission related stuff is covered for 2 years/24k miles, but only the big stuff (cat, ecu, obd) would be covered for the 8 years/80k interval.

    my sis just graduated from cmu last month. i take it you're a student there?
     
  6. CMUCasey

    CMUCasey New Member

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    Thanks for the cost perspective. When you go to a dealership you just don't trust, it is hard not to be suspicious of over charging . (CMU alumi now)
     
  7. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    You mean alumnus, or possibly alumna, no?
     
  8. CMUCasey

    CMUCasey New Member

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    So right! Maybe my new slogan should be Never type or read at the end of a very long and stressful day. Thanks for the correction. Now I am wondering why my dad's Tacoma has never had the oxygen sensor (does it have one?) changed and it is ten years old.
     
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If the Tacoma is a 1998 model, it probably has two oxygen sensors. The purpose of the first one is to provide feedback to the engine computer for purposes of adjusting air/fuel mixture. The purpose of the second sensor is to assess whether the catalytic converter is doing its job.

    In your case, you haven't mentioned how many miles are on the odometer. If you have more than 100K, it is not surprising that you need a new sensor. Also the Prius engine ECU may be more sensitive in declaring an oxygen sensor failure compared to older vehicle ECUs.

    BTW the 2G first sensor is an air-fuel ratio sensor, which is supposed to be more sensitive compared to an oxygen sensor. The 2G second sensor is an oxygen sensor. This is why the first sensor costs much more compared to the second.
     
  10. kammssss

    kammssss Member

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    Hey Patrick,

    When did you change your O2 sensors? How many miles? And did you do it because your mileage was declining? If so, was there a difference in mpg when you changed it? I have 113k on my 05 and it is still peforming just as well as it was new. Thanks.
     
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    My 2004 has 58K miles and I have not yet had occasion to change the oxygen sensors. If no warning lights have appeared and your mpg is the same as when new, then no worries.

    At your odometer reading, I would suggest that you consider replacing the iridium spark plugs, the engine and inverter coolants, the PCV valve, and the transaxle fluid, if these services have not yet been performed.
     
  12. joeb1890

    joeb1890 New Member

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    I'm currently at a dealership having my THIRD oxygen sensor replaced. The first two were under warranty and this one will set me back about $400... actually after a little haggling they are "good willing" the third one (paying for it). Phew. But it's obviously something to watch out for.

    BTW, they said that there are 4 oxygen sensors in the vehicle and the test is to indicate which one it is, exactly.

    Joe
     
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Prius has two sensors. One is upstream of the catalytic converter and the other is downstream. The upstream one provides feedback to the engine ECU so that the engine ECU can adjust the fuel/air mixture, while the downstream one provides info to the engine ECU regarding the catalytic converter's performance.

    If you have needed multiple oxygen sensors to be replaced, I am wondering if there's something about the fuel you are using that is contaminating the sensors.

    A vehicle with a V-engine (like a V6 or V8) would have four oxygen sensors, two for each exhaust bank.
     
  14. biphnest

    biphnest Junior Member

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    CMUCasey -

    I have replaced two Oxygen sensors. One on my BMW and on my Toyota Sequoia. At least on those two cars it was a very easy job that took ~20 minutes. I bought OEM exact replacements on Amazon.com.

    The aft senor for a 2005 Prius is listed on Amazon as:

    Bosch 15621 Oxygen Sensor, OE Type Fitment

    Link:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000VAZGTO?tag=priuschatcom-20 your homework and be sure that you buy the correct sensor.

    (I also bought a code reader from Amazon.com. Having access to code reader is extremely helpful.)
     
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