Oxygen Sensor Question

97LSi004 · #1 10-07-2004, 09:40 PM

On the 96 and 97 with a third oxygen sensor, is the rear one really a different sensor than the front(s)?
On subaruparts.com, it has both listed, but then on oxygensensors.com (much cheaper, and i dont mind getting the generic and doing some wiring) it has the same part number for both. I dont want to order that one from oxygensensors.com and have it be wrong.
Anyone have any info about this?

svx_commuter · #2 10-08-2004, 07:30 AM

I do not know for sure but the difference may be in the length of wire to the connector for the suby parts. The generic ones do not have a connector so the part number is the same. Plan on where the wire connetor box will end up. I hope the leads are long enough. Maybe someone else knows for sure.

Beav · #3 10-08-2004, 08:08 AM

Just the wire length is different. The rear sensor has absolutely no effect on how the car performs, its only function is to monitor catalyst efficiency.

97LSi004 · #4 10-08-2004, 01:12 PM

thanks for the info guys.
i think i am going to put in an old one from the front and see if i can get rid of my pesky check engine light..

i know i have read that the rear only tells you if the cat is bad and doesn't affect performance.
so if it throws the code that it is failed does that indicate a bad cat? or a bad sensor? what would the "bad cat" code be? (the OBD II code is what i am talking about)