How to Do the Oxygen Sensors on a 96 Chevy S10

In 1983, Chevrolet released its first American-built compact pickup, the S-10. Prior to the release of the S-10, Chevy farmed its compact pickup truck, the LUV, from Japanese auto builder Isuzu. The 1996 S-10s base 2.2-liter engine uses two oxygen sensors, one upstream and one downstream, which is technically called a heated oxygen sensor. Together these sensors monitor the amount of toxins escaping the exhaust system. They also have a small effect on the air and fuel mixture. Changing the oxygen sensors on the 1996 S-10 with a 2.2-liter engine is straightforward -- once you know where to find them.

Instructions

Upstream Oxygen Sensor

1

Allow the truck to sit until the exhaust is completely cool.

2

Open the hood and find the oxygen sensor screwed into the exhaust manifold, just behind the oil filler neck.

3

Trace the oxygen sensors wiring harness away from the sensor until you find where it connects to the S-10s harness. Lift upward on the unlocking tab on the harness and unplug the sensors harness from the trucks harness.

4

Remove the oxygen sensor, using a ratchet and crowfoot attachment.

5

Coat the threads of the replacement oxygen sensor with an anti-seize compound.

6

Hand-thread the sensor into the exhaust manifold, then tighten it to 30 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and crowfoot attachment.

7

Plug the sensors wiring harness back into the S-10s wiring.

Downstream Oxygen Sensor

8

Leave the S-10 sitting until the exhaust is cool.

9

Lift the front of the S-10 with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its frame rails. Lower the truck onto the jack stands.

10

Crawl under the center of the truck and position yourself to the rear of the catalytic converter, the muffler-like component in the middle of the exhaust system.

11

Find the oxygen sensor screwed into the exhaust pipe just behind the catalytic converter.

12

Trace the sensors wiring upward until you find where it connects to the trucks wiring. Pull upward on the locking tab on the wiring harness and unplug the oxygen sensors wiring from the S-10s wiring.

13

Remove the oxygen sensor from the exhaust pipe, using a ratchet and crowfoot attachment.

14

Coat the thread of the new oxygen sensor with an anti-seize compound and hand-thread the sensor into the exhaust pipe. Tighten the sensor to 30 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and crowfoot attachment.

15

Plug the sensors wiring harness into the S-10s wiring.

16

Lift the truck off the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the S-10 to the ground.