So I replaced the sensor and cleared the codes! How long do I have to drive until I know if it's fixed or not?

 

A couple of drive cycles should do it.

 

Cool! I've done a cumulative 50 miles (10ish + 10 + 20 + 10ish) sonce I've cleared the codes, plus an extra couple between the swap and getting to Advanced. I hope I'm in the clear 😁 you guys have been very nice and helpful. That repair was suspiciously easy. I would feel absolutely foolish paying someone $100 for that.

 

Clearing the codes makes for a longer time before you know. Most codes clear themselves once the problem is fixed.

It is cold starts not miles. If you have a reader you can see if you have a pending code.

 

After about 4 starts, would it be worth checking for pending codes?

 

Can’t hurt!

 

I don't know how relevant this would be, but a little background. I got this car in 2014 (8 years old) and it only had 30,000 miles on it. My guess is that it's done a lot of sitting around before I got to it.

Now it's 12 years old, and I'm at 66,000 miles. The idea that the sensor just finally went bad isn't too far fetched, I would think. Plus as I said, my wiring and fuses looked fine. I just don't have access to an ohm reader to confirm the old one being trash.

 

If you know how to use a meter you can get a DVOM at Harbor Freight for about $5, less if they are on sale or you use a discount.

It is not the sensor, it's the heater. A resistor heating up.

 

Agreed, Don, agreed.

 

Okay everyone! It's been 90 miles over 5 different trips today. I went to scan for any pending codes and I came up dry! I'm officially calling this a success. Thank you to everyone who helped!