How to Change the Oxygen Sensor on a 2007 RAV4

Toyota introduced the RAV4, a compact SUV, to the U.S. marketplace in the 1996 model year. In 2006, Toyota completed the second redesign of the RAV4, increasing its overall size and slightly modifying the appearance of the SUV. The 2005 RAV4 came standard with a 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2.4-liter engine has two sensors on the exhaust that many people call oxygen sensors. The technical term for the upstream pre-catalytic converter oxygen sensor is the air-fuel ratio sensor, and the technical term for the downstream post-catalytic converter oxygen sensor is the heated oxygen sensor. Replacing both oxygen sensors is a fairly simple task most DIY mechanics can complete.

Instructions

Air-Fuel Ratio Sensor - Upstream Oxygen Sensor

1

Allow the vehicle to sit until the engine has cooled completely.

2

Open the hood and find the air-fuel ratio sensor on the exhaust manifold, which is the large exhaust component that bolts directly to the engine.

3

Trace the sensors wiring toward the drivers side of the engine until you find the harness on the end of the wiring. Pull the wiring from any routing clips as you encounter them. Unplug the sensors harness from the RAV4s wiring harness.

4

Remove the air-fuel ratio sensor from the exhaust manifold using a ratchet and oxygen sensor socket. Pull the sensor from the engine compartment.

5

Thread the air-fuel ratio sensor into the exhaust manifold by hand, then tighten the sensor to 32 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and oxygen sensor socket.

6

Route the air-fuel sensors wiring back towards the RAV4s wiring harness, pressing the wiring into its routing clips as you encounter them. Plug the sensors wiring harness into the RAV4s harness.

Heated Oxygen Sensor - Downstream Oxygen Sensor

7

Park the RAV4 on a flat surface and allow it to sit until it is completely cool. Kick wheel chocks under the rear of the rear wheels. Lift the front of the SUV with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the subframe. Lower the RAV4 onto the jack stands.

8

Trace the oxygen sensors wiring away from the sensor until you find the wiring harness, which connects to the RAV4s wiring harness. Unplug the sensors wiring harness from the vehicles harness.

9

Remove the heated oxygen sensor from the exhaust pipe using a ratchet and oxygen sensor socket.

10

Thread the oxygen sensor into the exhaust pipe by hand, then torque it to 32 foot-pounds using a torque wrench and oxygen sensor socket.

11

Connect the heated oxygen sensors wiring harness to the RAV4s wiring harness.

12

Lift the vehicle off the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the RAV4 to the ground.