Tranny skid/ O2 sensor problems...

white04kj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:02 pm

I just thought I'd post this as sort of a warning to anyone who's installing an aftermarket tranny skid. My check engine light recently came on, and when I pulled the codes, I got a P0138 (O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 2)), and today when I dropped it off at the dealership I got the P0138 and a P0137 (O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 2)) (how's that work? lol). Anyway, the service guy called an hour ago telling me that "somebody installed an aftermarket skid plate" and in the process "relocated" the O2 sensor wire that leads to the left cat. Well, I never "relocated" anything, but I think what happened was the bolt for the skid pushed the wire (which is sort of clipped to the crossmember) over so far the clip broke. Apparently the wire got caught on the driveshaft and severed. I wouldn't have thought the wire could have come that close to the driveshaft, but whatever. It sucks though because now I'm out $160 that I don't have to begin with

.

I guess my point to this rant is - if you're installing a tranny skid and having trouble with that wire, it might be a good idea just to pull it loose, slide it down the crossmember, and zip tie it back down. Oh, and has anyone else had an issue with this? Sorry for the long-winded post.

Neal · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:37 pm

had similar problem on same sensor, when installing skid I nicked the wire drilling a hole and got code po138. Found problem and repaired wire. the sensor is only $20 bucks. There are two sensors on each bank(1 the input to cat converter and 2 output of cat converter) bank one is driver side and 2 passenger side. Is funny you got both a high and a low error!!

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:48 pm

I got the same code and same diagnosis. But I have stock skid plates, installed right in the factory.

So your dealer was just being a jerk, it's a design flaw, not your fault in installing the skids. If you search for O2 sensor on here and jeepkj.com, you'll find a bunch of people who had the same thing happen.

Here's my original thread on the issue:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=3462

Neal · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:03 pm

No, I actually did cut thru the wire, but found the problem and easy repair. I think the reason you got both error codes is the input the sensor goes to is open collector with pull-up and when your wire broke the input went high and then at some point the wire touched chassis and pulled it low. But the sensors are easy to test and cheap and easy to replace if necessary.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:10 pm

I didnt know they were that cheap. I thought they were like $80 a piece and was kicking myself b/c this thing has 4 of them!

Sorry about your luck white04kj, did you put the mopar skid on? Or a different one? If its the mopar then thats not your fault.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:49 pm

Neal wrote:

No, I actually did cut thru the wire, but found the problem and easy repair. I think the reason you got both error codes is the input the sensor goes to is open collector with pull-up and when your wire broke the input went high and then at some point the wire touched chassis and pulled it low. But the sensors are easy to test and cheap and easy to replace if necessary.

Well, the actual cutting of the wire is your fault, but the location of the wires and how unprotected they are is jeep's fault. Mine broke and I didn't touch the skid plate, I just drove it like a jeep.

white04kj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:53 pm

The skid is All J's Superskid II, so since the problem was caused by an aftermarket part I'm SOL. I wish I would have asked you guys about it first, I didn't realize it would be so cheap/easy to replace. I didn't actually sever the wire installing the skid because I was making sure not to :roll:

, but whatever. Now that he's already done the work it's too late to back out I guess. I'm kinda pissed that they'd charge so much for that though.

Like I said, I think the reason the wire came loose in the first place was we had to push it aside to get the bolt through it's hole, and I think it was held in place by a piece of plastic, that likely snapped under the force from the bolt. At least the stealership told me they'd "relocate" the wire for me so it won't happen again. They're so helpful. :roll:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:58 pm

white04kj wrote:

The skid is All J's Superskid II, so since the problem was caused by an aftermarket part I'm SOL. I wish I would have asked you guys about it first, I didn't realize it would be so cheap/easy to replace. I didn't actually sever the wire installing the skid because I was making sure not to :roll:

, but whatever. Now that he's already done the work it's too late to back out I guess. I'm kinda pissed that they'd charge so much for that though.

Like I said, I think the reason the wire came loose in the first place was we had to push it aside to get the bolt through it's hole, and I think it was held in place by a piece of plastic, that likely snapped under the force from the bolt. At least the stealership told me they'd "relocate" the wire for me so it won't happen again. They're so helpful. :roll:

Lol, yea they are really nice arent they! This is why I feel so sorry for people that cannot do work themself. I've heard of ppl paying $500 for a brake job.

white04kj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:36 pm

Yea I'm kicking myself now for not thinking to ask you guys ahead of time. I probably could have saved myself $100 or so. Bleh, I need to go wheelin.

KJColumbo · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:15 pm

Not to bring this one up from the dead, but on the way back in from lunch today, light went on. I went out and checked the code, P0138. I'll climb under when I get home tonight and take a look at things. I haven't even been driving it hard off road or anything, and I don't have skids. Oh well, at just about 70K, I need to start expecting it. Glad I found this thread though, I was about to stop in at the dealer tomorrow!

Tranny skid/ O2 sensor problems...

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