Hi there, I have a Honda civic SR Auto great car but just cant get it through the emmisions test. The problem is that there is a fault with the oxygen/Lamda sensor heater i.e blink code 41. The oxygen sensor was replaced with a universal one from a well known auction website but this did not solve the problem. I then ordered a direct fit one and fitted this but again I get code 41. The ecu has been re-set by taking out the fuse but the problem persists. I Have taken it to a garage and they tell me that i need a genuine honda part but the original was NGK not honda. they checked the voltage and said that was ok. Do universal oxygen sensors cause problems with honda civics? Do the wires have to be the same colour as the original e.g green etc?
I'd be grateful for any advice, thanks!

 

Make sure that 12 volt power is reaching the sensor. Some late '90s models had a problem where the engine wiring harness would short out and blow a fuse under the dash. This would cause the O2 sensor code.

 

It's a 96 civic. There are 12 volts reaching the sensor plug connector, I've checked that and so did the garage so I assume that the harness and fuses are ok.

The technician at the garage mentioned something about resistance of the Lamda heater being different. Do you think this would cause a problem? Also does the sensor heater fault prevent the oxygen sensor from operating even when the engine reaches a certain temperature? or would it always be in "limp mode".

 

I'm having the EXACT same problem. I'm going to look into it tomorrow, I'll let you know what I find out.