How to Change a Oxygen Sensor for a 1998 Ford Windstar Bank 2 Sensor 1

Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, automotive engineers made many strides to keep pace with the ever-changing emission laws, including: catalytic converters, unleaded fuel usage and oxygen sensors. Bosch developed the first oxygen sensor, which was used by Volvo in its California-bound 260 Series vehicles, in 1976. The 1998 Ford Windstar's oxygen sensors are identified by the side of the engine that they monitor -- bank number -- and by the sensor number they are assigned. The sensor in the bank No. 2, sensor No. 1 position is known as a heated oxygen sensor, and measures the air-to-fuel ratio in the exhaust as it comes from the combustion chamber. The location of this sensors makes for a relatively quick replacement.

Instructions

1

Look on the exhaust manifold nearest the front of the engine compartment and find the heated oxygen sensor -- the only electrical sensor on the manifold.

2

Trace the heated oxygen sensor's wiring upward, and find where it connects to the Windstar's wiring harness. Press the locking button on the oxygen sensor's wiring harness and unplug the sensor's harness from the vehicle's harness.

3

Remove the oxygen sensor, using a ratchet and oxygen sensor socket.

4

Hand-tighten a new oxygen sensor into the exhaust manifold, and torque it to 27 to 33 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and oxygen sensor socket. Plug the oxygen sensor's wiring harness into the Windstar's harness.