Check Engine Light Oxygen Sensor

[GREBNET]

01 S 28K miles original owner .

My Check Engine light came on a couple of weeks ago , I took it to the dealer who nicely checked the problem and said that if it returned he would probably have to order an oxygen sensor . So after 4-5 days it returned. Now what ? is this something I should attempt or not ? If I have the dealer do it what kind of $$ am I looking at ?

This has gotten me to start thinking of getting an OBD scanner , any recs?

[Loren]

Yes, it could be almost anything from a loose gas cap to a bad MAF to a bad AOS. You need the fault code(s) to go any further.

If you plan on DIY work I would recommend the Durametric Software.

[mikefocke]

There are 4 levels of diagnostic tools

The code readers (Actron and the like)

The Durametric s/w which requires an XP or better laptop

and the 2 generations of really expensive used by dealer tools, the PST2 and the PWIS.

Often times an auto part dealer will read your codes for you. Or if your post your location, there is someone local who will read em for you. I've done that for people before. You must know the code because, in the case of the O2 sensors, there ar 2 or 4 of them and you want to replace only the one giving off the code. Plus you want to be really sure that the code points to the sensor and isn't a symptom of some other fault.

An O2 sensor replace is a simple mechanical task, an easy DIY if you can get the car's tail up in the air. Just wait till the exhaust system has cooled down. There are write-ups with pictures available. You can also have any exhaust shop (Midas muffler and the like) do it. It should take a max of 15 minutes once it is on the lift. Or any independent Porsche mechanic or the dealer.

You can use the Porsche branded part or buy the same Bosch part that Porsche uses over the net for lots less. The link has a list of part numbers that are cross referenced to the Porsche model year.