2manyvans

Well I cleaned up the SS and was going to a Vintage Truck Jamboree about an hour away . Just got out of town and the check engine light came on-Crap- So I turned around and went to Advance Auto to get codes read.

It came up P013A- Oxygen sensor slow response- rich to lean -bank 1-sensor 2. I got him to clear the codes and came back home and searched on here. Basically I learned with my catless downpipe (I don't know if it has angled bungs for sensors) sometimes it throws the code.

What I would like is for someone to translate to common language what could be wrong.

Do I need a new sensor? Looks to me it's accessible from under the car. Or do I get a code clearer and deal with it. BTW What is a good Code Reader to get?

Anyway, I got almost there and the light reappeared! Any help is welcome...john

donbrew

Probably need a new sensor. accessible from underneath borrow the tool from Advance/Zone/O'reilly. DO NOT get a Bosch sensor!!!!!!! Be sure to torque the new one down correctly with the supplied goo on the threads.

What it means is that the response time between the #1 sensor and the #2 sensor is not up to spec. How long has the non-stock pipe been on the car?

But then it could be the tune.

You've gone way out of stock parameters.

2manyvans

donbrew, Thanks so much for the reply. As far as I know the down pipe has been on it for a few years. I did get the original pipe with both cats with the car.

The Trifecta tune has a way to turn it off with the cruise control button. When I got the CEL turned off, I turned off the tune and drove it about an hour before the light came back on.

So, I assume that sensor 2, means the furthest one down the pipe is the one I need? Looks like I have another project for tomorrow. Thanks again...john

firemangeorge

Code reader.
If you have a smart phone, you could just get an app and a wireless OBD reader.
About $25-30 for both.

I use the Torque app on my Samsung Galaxy S3. Works fine on my SS and I've also tried it on my 98 Dodge truck and the wife's Hyundai.
The wife had a CEL on and it identified her MAF sensor problem.

donbrew

#2 is the "after cat" one, sometimes called downstream, post cat, cat monitor.

I have no idea whatsoever if you use the stock part in your setup or not.

2manyvans

firemangeorge, no smartphone here- just a stupid flip phone! I never even learned to take pics with it. I guess I'm one that doesn't like change. I'm off to Auto Zoo to get a sensor and maybe a obd II scan code tool...john

2manyvans

Update, Called Ad and Az , both only had the Bosch sensor so I bought a Denso sensor on line from Adv auto got 15% off the stores price and it will be here in a couple of days just like the store. Also I bought a Actron CP 9575 from Ebay .

I ran the SS up on the rhino ramps and checked out the location of the sensor. Easy to get to. Can't say the same about the plug. It's got a harness about a foot or so long and goes up where you can't see it or hardly reach it. I guess GM put it there to protect it from the elements. And I washed and dried it, too! ...john

donbrew

You need very agile fingers on one hand to do the connector. It has a plug to deat on yhe engine block, if you can get it loose. I just broke it, the zip tied the wire so it would not lay on the exhaust pipe.

2manyvans

I have skinny fingers, just can't see . I let ya know how it turns out...john

donbrew

My keyboard makes things up, I hope you figured out what that meant.