is a universal oxygen sensor hard to install?

Handling

Do Not drop or use an oxygen sensor that has been dropped as this may have caused shock damage to the ceramic element

Do Not use any compounds on or around the sensor unless labeled as oxygen sensor friendly products

Do Not use impact wrench or conventional socket type wrench to install sensor

Do Not allow sensor or lead wire to touch exhaust manifold or any other hot component

Do Not expose this product to water, oil, windshield cleaner, anticorrison oil, grase, terminal cleaner etc

Do Not use leaded fuels, silicone or metal based additives

Do Not store under high humidity conditions

Step 1:

Disconected the old oxygen sensor from vehicle harness using extra care not to damage connector, as it must be reused.

Step 2:

Remove old sensor from vehicle using an 02 sensor socket or 22mm wrench. Place the old and new oxygen sensor side by side on a flat surface, preparing to make an accurate cut of the lead wires. Cut the lead wires of the old sensor to a length that when the plug end is spliced to the new universal sensor, the overall length will be the same or slightly longer than the old sensor.

Important!! Before making the cut, add 2" to 3" of additional length to the plug end to allow for the extra wire needed when making the staggered.

Step 3:

Stagger-cut wire leads stripping off approx. 1/4" of insulation from the end of each wire.

For the Step #4 and #5:

Please refer to the attached wire placement & colour coding diagrams in the installation instructions to determine proper wire matching of universal sensor leads to connector leads for each specific application (heater wires are not polarity dependant)

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT TO YOUR SENSOR IF YOU CANNOT MATCH WIRE COLORS.

Type A Type B Type C HONDA GM TITANIA

OE Heater White = Black = Purple = Black = Brown = White

OE Heater White = Black = White = Black = Brown = Red

OE Signal Black = Blue = Black = White = Purple = Black

OE Ground Gray = White = Gray = Green = Tan

Step 4:

A.- On universal sensors where heat-shrink tubes are already installed: Insert just striped portion of wires into crimp terminals of new sensor and crimp terminals

B.- On universal sensors where heat-shrink tubes are not installed: Insert just striped portion of wires into crimp type "butt" connectors (approx. 1/4") and crimp.

Step 5:

After all conections have been made, slip the heat shrink tube over the crimped connections and heat the tube with an appropriate heat source until the conection is completely sealed, taking care not to over-heat or burn tubing.

Step 6:

Remove protector cap just prior to installation.

A) Flanged applications-(where flange is not already installed on sensor) Install flange to exhaust manifold first, then sensro in flange(a copper gasket is bonded to the flange & no additional gasket is required)

B) Flanged applications-(where flange is already installed on sensor) It is important to use supplied gasket before installing sensor)

Step7:

If not already coated, apply (enclosed) anti-seize to oxygen sensor threads.

Step8:

Install sensor body ensuring lead wire is not twisted or bent.

Step9:

Install all sensors with gasket supplied & torque to proper specs as bellow:

M18 sensors- install finger tight then 1/2 - 1/3 turn with wrench / 02 sensor socket 35-45nm

M12 sensor- install finger tight then 3/4 - 1 turn with wrench / 02 sensor socket 18-23nm

Step 10:

Connect and route lead wire as oringinally installed.

to an autozone employee, if you have to crimp an electrical terminal and heat up some shrink wrap, it makes sense to them to sell the pre-assembled complete plug n play one instead. I just installed a universal one for my friend in his Saturn, it took a total of 10 minutes. If it is a 4-wire sensor, it may take a few extra minutes, it will work exactly the same.

some universal o2 sensors have different wiring

they are not hard to install-maybe hard to get to

advise-when going into autozone-buy the part and thats it

never trust what they say-my experience they are usually wrong

Yea, because you have to splice the wires. Best bet is to get the OEM sensor and just plug it in. I would be shocked if your mechanic is willing to install parts you bought at autozone since he ends up having to warranty the resulting work.

it really is not that hard to install. but keep in mind that an o2 has a parameter of readings it has to do. the one for your car probably has much higher working parameter of speed to work with. in other words the universal may not be fast enough and might set the engine light with another code. and no matter what once you have installed it you own it. you might be spending money for the right one anyways.9 yrs auto ase.

IDK I know nothing about this...what is it again?