I got a check engine light for my primary oxygen sensor, and if I reset it, it takes about 250 miles for it to come back on again. In the factory service manual, it suggests that means that there are loose wires in the sensor rather than it needing to be completely replaced. However, I'm not sure how to check the wires if they're loose. Do I remove the whole sensor to check, or the wiring that runs from it? I have a 1998 Honda Civic HX, EJ7, with a D16Y5 engine. I don't want to take it in just for it to be a loose wire.

Thanks!

 

Which o2 sensor? There are probably 2 for your engine, one right on top in the middle of the heat shield, and one on bottom, visible by looking under the engine. You can easily reach the wires and can visually inspect them without taking anything off.

 

It's the primary oxygen sensor, the one on top. I checked it to see if there was anything loose, but they look fine. I pushed them together just in case there was something I wasn't seeing, but I haven't driven it again yet. I just thought maybe there might be something I can't see.