Rear O2 sensor codes

[Vikas]

2000 Maxima

Few months ago, P0158 popped up but after resetting, it did not come back. Now P0159 and P0160 have come up. I have asked my son to reset it and see if they come back.

Five or so years ago when P0430 popped up, it was fixed for good. The current stream of codes strongly suggest that it is time to replace the rear O2 sensor. Since it is an impotent device as far as engine operation is concerned (also made so by fixing P0430) I am somewhat reluctant to go ahead and try replacing the sensor. It could be wiring problem too but in all likelihood I will have to replace the sensor first if I have to pass the annual emission test.

Straight from the factory service manual:-

P0158 - Malfunction is detected when the maximum voltage from the sensor is not reached to the specified voltage.

P0159 - Malfunction is detected when it takes more time for the sensor to respond between rich and lean than the specified time.

P0160 - Malfunction is detected when an excessively high voltage from the sensor is sent to ECM.

It seems as if the sensor is giving garbage data or wiring is at fault.

 

[Roadkingnc]

Replace the sensor and give it a go, most likely shorted

 

[GMBoy]

The REAR O2 sensor is not critical to drivability of the car. Only the O2 sensors ahead of the cat controls fuel mixture and are critical. That rear sensor after the cat is just to monitor the cat to be sure it is working properly.

Double check your manual and the codes and see which sensor it relates to. Is will list which bank too. It very well be your main sensor(s).

 

[Vikas]

Amazon has Denso OEM for about $70 vs Rockauto has off-brand (APWI) for $35. Both have OE direct fit connectors. The trouble is Rockauto calls them "downstream front" and "downstream rear" and Amazon (and the factory service manual) calls them "downstream left" and "downstream right". I presume somewhere in the manual tells me which one is the left bank and which one is right back on a transverse mounted engine. Is it usually looking at the crank pulley? Only thing which I am 100% sure is that bank one is next to firewall and bank two is next to radiator. I also know that the the sensor has red wire jacket, so it is easy to find the one on the car but ordering is little bit tricky.

Somebody please tell me which one is front/rear and which one is left/right on a Nissan Maxima V6!

 

[LeakySeals]

When it comes to the o2's stay with Denso. The aftermarkets will give you nothing but trouble.

Use This.
http://www.densoaftermarket.com/catalog/catalog.php?part=o2sn

I suggest you compare prices at rockauto, buy on Amazon (free shipping over $25)

PS..when you say fixed for good, is the fix what I think it is?

Try going with just one, maybe its not heating up. Or maybe its too late and the wire went up against something hot and shorted.

 

[Vikas]

You know the fix I suspect either the wires or the sensor internals just gave up. The code tends to make me believe that something is lose somewhere to get this random type of codes. The OEM type sensor comes with pretty long wire and plugs in to connectors which are located between the radiator and exhaust manifold. All four O2 sensor connectors are next to each other, looks very pretty! They must end up back at the ECU as a part of the big harness. I am not sure why Nissan has chosen such a long way and I am hoping that the fault lies with the sensor or the sensor wire rather than the harness.

It is definitely the rear O2 sensor for the Bank 2 from the code deciphering, straight from the factory service manual. And that is why I called it being impotent, that was NOT a spelling mistake

This is what the books says:
P0159 (LEFT, -B2) REAR HO2S (RESPONSE MONITORING)

 

[mechtech2]

It [second sensor] is NOT important for engine operation. The FRONT sensor is.
Hopefully a new one and computer reset will stop the code.
If not, maybe the cat is bad. Could be all sorts of stuff.

 

[Vikas]

I guess people just don't bother to read the original posting :-(

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I guess people just don't bother to read the original posting :-(

Yeah,I have that happen all the time in here. It seems like few actually read my posts at all.

Anyway, are you sure about that P0160? My understanding is that P0160 means NO RESPONSE from the rear sensor. "No response" would jibe with your P0159 (slow response), but not the original P0158 (excessively high voltage).

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I guess people just don't bother to read the original posting :-(


The term rear O2 sensor might have confused them with the after cat sensor 2 when
I think you were referring to sensor 1, right bank or bank 2 or bank 1 etc.

 

[Towncivilian]

Bank 1 is the side which has cylinder 1 on your Maxima.

I believe the OEM O2 sensor manufacturer is Bosch, at least it is on my Pathfinder. I replaced a rear O2 sensor with a Bosch direct fit senator from AAP for $50 after discount codes about a year ago and it's been fine. I had P0158 & P0159.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Amazon has Denso OEM for about $70 vs Rockauto has off-brand (APWI) for $35. Both have OE direct fit connectors. The trouble is Rockauto calls them "downstream front" and "downstream rear" and Amazon (and the factory service manual) calls them "downstream left" and "downstream right". I presume somewhere in the manual tells me which one is the left bank and which one is right back on a transverse mounted engine. Is it usually looking at the crank pulley? Only thing which I am 100% sure is that bank one is next to firewall and bank two is next to radiator. I also know that the the sensor has red wire jacket, so it is easy to find the one on the car but ordering is little bit tricky.

Somebody please tell me which one is front/rear and which one is left/right on a Nissan Maxima V6!


Left bank and front should be radiator side and right bank and rear should be firewall side. I think you are wanting the downstream sensor (sensor 2) for bank 2? So that should be downstream sensor front/left I think.

 

[Vikas]

RE: mechanix & towncivilian

Thank you for the last two replies!

The bank 1 is the right side per FSM. It seems as if the left/right is determined by looking at the engine from the starter side rather than from crankshaft side. It is confusing but it makes sense when you think that you want to see the left/right the perspective of the engine and not from the perspective of the guy standing in front of it.

Pathfinder has VQ35 or VQ30 engine correct? I will go with the Bosch per your suggestion then. I have heard other people saying that Bosch is the OEM on Nissan but I always thought Japanese used Denso/NTK.

Do you remember the wire jacket color on the replacement sensor?

 

[Towncivilian]

My Pathfinder has the VQ35DE engine.

I do not remember the wire jacket color. I believe it was blue or black, I don't recall exactly. I could take a look for you if it is important. The Bosch sensor had all the clips in the correct locations and the wire length was identical to the factory OEM part. I would use a Bosch O2 sensor in the future should I need to replace another one. I highly recommend purchasing it online from AAP with discount code if possible, it may end up being cheaper than RockAuto or Amazon.