All Lambda Sensors Are Equal?

[Guest]

Well the engine management light is still on, and I thought it was about time I got round to sorting it out. Last time I had the wagon in the garage they said it was a lambda sensor and pointed to it. Luckily it's the easy one to get to unlike all the rest on a GS300 Mk2.

Now, looks like a simple job, and a brief look under the bonnet and hunt on the net tells me it's a four wire zerconia sensor.

Then the fun starts. Prices from an arm and a leg plus my first born from Lexus to £20 for a 'universal'. Here's my question: To my uneducated gaze it looks like all of the sensors on the engine are identical except for the length of the wire. Is that right? No difference in functionality?

[TigerFish]

I'm interested in this question myself. From what I can tell, they are indeed the same barring wire length and gromets (if they are the rear ones that go into the foot well floor for instance). The downside with the really cheap ones, is you need to start cutting and splicing plugs of the old one onto the new one, which could be unreliable depending how DIY orientated you are. The mid range priced ones, £75 - £100 seem to have the plugs on. It is then just a case of trying to marry up what they call each sensor location, and what Lexus call each location.

[wow300]

How easy are they to get to once they go up in the floor?

[TigerFish]

As far as I know, it is just a case of taking off the scuff plate and pulling back the carpet. You can them unplug it.

[Larkone]

Can answer this one - no they are not all equal. Had one go on my 2002 Mk2 - Bank2 sensor 2. Bought a really cheap one (£17) and whilst the ECM code reader showed it was working perfectly it still threw a code for the heater. Turns out that Lexus GSs are very fussy about heater resistance. The cheap sensor only registered 7 ohms across the heater. Apparently they need around 11 ohms to not throw a code. Changed it for a Bosch one (£70) that met the 11 ohm spec and no more codes.

Bank 2, Sensor 2 is the one under the floor so you have to pull the carpet up, just remove the trim and carefully pull it back. It is a really easy job, just be careful lowering the sensor through the hole as the tip should not get knocked. It took longer to put the Bosch plug onto the wires than it did replacing the actual sensor.

Hope that helps

[brownridge]

Can answer this one - no they are not all equal. Had one go on my 2002 Mk2 - Bank2 sensor 2. Bought a really cheap one (£17) and whilst the ECM code reader showed it was working perfectly it still threw a code for the heater. Turns out that Lexus GSs are very fussy about heater resistance. The cheap sensor only registered 7 ohms across the heater. Apparently they need around 11 ohms to not throw a code. Changed it for a Bosch one (£70) that met the 11 ohm spec and no more codes.

Bank 2, Sensor 2 is the one under the floor so you have to pull the carpet up, just remove the trim and carefully pull it back. It is a really easy job, just be careful lowering the sensor through the hole as the tip should not get knocked. It took longer to put the Bosch plug onto the wires than it did replacing the actual sensor.

Hope that helps

Mine need changing as the EML is coming on. My local specialist has advised going with OE ones due the issues identified above- anyone know the OE part number for a 2001MY GS340? or even the Bosch versions? I have two conflicting numbers 89465-50130 and 89465-53150- anyone know if I need both or which is the correct part #

Thanks!!!!

[TigerFish]

for a 2001MY GS340

Do you have a GS300 or GS430? Which sensor is throwing the error?

(there are three sensors in total on a 300, four on the 430)

[ColinBarber]

Best to stick with Denso if you can but no need to get the Toyota/Lexus branded part, just the OEM version

Denso in Europe don't list may sensors for Lexus vehicles, so may be easier to get the US part number

http://www.densoafte...et.com/catalog/

and order from somebody like Rockauto.com

If available within Europe (different part codes)

http://www.denso-am.eu/catalogue.asp

then sparkplugs.co.uk are a good reliable supplier.

I've personally used both of these suppliers and received excellent service.