P1117 - OK To Drive the Car?

[KevinH90]

When driving home on Tuesday my check engine light came on. I made one stop on the way home and then I didn't drive the car (2000 non-S, 5 speed, 39,500 miles) again until tonight. I drove it to AutoZone and the they pulled the P1117 code - P1117 Oxygen Sensor Heating 1 After Catalytic Converter - Below Lower Limit.

When I left AutoZone, the CEL was off. I don't know whether the person who helped me reset the code or it went off on its own. Here are my questions:

1. Is it OK to drive the car? I have a 30-mile commute to work. I expect the CEL to return, but it will be difficult to bring the car to a technician for the next few weeks due to job demands.

2. I replaced the MAF sensor last year. Should I bite the bullet and replace all four O2 sensors or just replace them as they go?

3. Is this an easy DIY job or should I leave it to a technician?

Thanks or your help.

[Loren]

As long as the CEL is on steady you can drive the car. If it is flashing do not drive the car.

P1117 indicates you have a problem with that sensor.

It could be as simple as a corroded connector, broken wire or a bad sensor.

There is no need to replace any sensors other than a bad one. As I said, check the wiring first - clean the connector, reset the code and see if it comes back.

[KevinH90]

I drove it to work this morning and the CEL stayed off. The car seems to be running fine. I have the On-Board Computer and the reading for fuel consumption is within the usual range.

I'll keep driving it over the weekend. If the CEL stays off, I'll postpone my appointment at Luftechnic for a couple of weeks.

I'm accustomed to doing a lot of my own work on my cars, and I'm slowly starting to feel comfortable working on the Boxster. (I've changed the oil, installed rear speakers, an air filter, replaced the hinge on the oddments tray lid, etc.) I'll see if I can find a DIY on the O2 sensor. If it doesn't look too demanding I may give it a try.

Thanks for the reply.

[Chris_in_NH]

DIY O2 sensor replacement: http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/oxygensensors

it's super-easy. don't pay to have this done.

[KevinH90]

I didn't have time to crawl under the Boxster yesterday and check out the O2 sensors. It's raining pretty heavily in Virginia today, so I thought I would take some time to think this through and obtain some feedback.

Based on what I've read on this and other forums, here in very simple terms is my understanding of the problem and proposed corrective action:

1. There are four O2 sensors on the car.

2. Only one of mine is bad

3. The one that is bad is after the catalytic convertor on the driver's side of my U.S. spec car.

4. I only need to replace the bad sensor.

5. I can order a sensor from OxygenSensors.com (http://www.automedicsupply.com/catalog.php?&engine=H6-2.7L) and it will be plug and play. I could also use a generic Bosch sensor and save some money, but I would need to splice some wires.

6. It might be worth it to buy a special socket for the O2 sensor so that I can torque it properly.

My questions:

1. Do I have this right?

2. Any recommendations or suggestions?

Thanks.