P1117 - OK To Drive?
 

When driving home on Tuesday my check engine light came on. I made one stop on the way home and then I didn't drive the car (2000 non-S, 5 speed, 39,500 miles) again until tonight. I drove it to AutoZone and the they pulled the P1117 code - P1117 Oxygen Sensor Heating 1 After Catalytic Converter - Below Lower Limit.

When I left AutoZone, the CEL was off. I don't know whether the person who helped me reset the code or it went off on its own. Here are my questions:

1. Is it OK to drive the car? I have a 30-mile commute to work. I expect the CEL to return, but it will be difficult to bring the car to a technician for the next few weeks due to job demands.
2. I replaced the MAF sensor last year. Should I bite the bullet and replace all four O2 sensors or just replace them as they go?
3. Is this an easy DIY job or should I leave it to a technician?

Thanks or your help.

I had a CEL in February, I think it was... P1129... I checked it and cleared it, and it hasn't come back (and I've put about 3000 miles on the car since, and have driven the piss out of it on a few occasions).

If the CEL was not BLINKING, you should be OK to drive it. I'd run it for a few days as you normally do. If the CEL doesn't come back, then it was probably a fluke like mine was.

Yep, you can drive it, but your mileage will probably suffer until it's replaced.

Actually as an idea... go get a bottle of Techron and put it in your tank. Run that and then clear the CEL if it comes back. See if the Techron cleans up the fuel system a little bit.

1. Is it OK to drive the car? I have a 30-mile commute to work. I expect the CEL to return, but it will be difficult to bring the car to a technician for the next few weeks due to job demands.
Should be ok. Mine did the same thing. 2000 non-S. The CEL would come on intermittently. Maybe once every few days.

2. I replaced the MAF sensor last year. Should I bite the bullet and replace all four O2 sensors or just replace them as they go?
Depends on how inconvenient it is for you to make trips to the shop. I had just one of mine replaced and no problems with the others.

3. Is this an easy DIY job or should I leave it to a technician?
What's your skill level? Just don't take it to the dealership! It's not too expensive of a fix to have a specialist do it, so I prefer to leave it to some one that doesn't have a learning curve to worry about.

Hope this helps.

I drove it to work this morning and the CEL stayed off. The car seems to be running fine. I have the On-Board Computer and the reading for fuel consumption is within the usual range.

I'll keep driving it over the weekend. If the CEL stays off, I'll postpone my appointment at Luftechnic for a couple of weeks.

I'm accustomed to doing a lot of my own work on my cars, and I'm slowly starting to feel comfortable working on the Boxster. (I've changed the oil, installed rear speakers, an air filter, replaced the hinge on the oddments tray lid, etc.) I'll see if I can find a DIY on the O2 sensor. If it doesn't look too demanding I may give it a try.

Thanks for the replies.

Kevin,

I have an O2 problem also. I'm waiting for the replacements to arrive. The job of replacing them couldn't be easier. You just unplug the wiring, and remove the sensors from the exhaust with a 22mm open end. Reverse the procedure and you're done.

Properly jacking the car up will take almost as long as the actual job ;) .

I'll put the car up on ramps tomorrow and see if I can find it. If it doesn't look too hard, I may order a sensor and have at it.

If you can post some pictures of your process, I'd appreciate it. Also, where are you buying your sensor and how much will it cost. I heard they were a little pricey.

I've also seen some posts about using generic sensors and adapting the wiring to them. I'm not sure I want to try that.

The oxygen sensors are coming from oxygensensors.com. They had the best price I found and free shipping. It is recommended that you replace all four at the same time, so that's what I've ordered. They are $114.00 each.

I'm out of town right now. I expect them to be waiting for me when I get home. If I get a chance to put them in one night next week, I'll take pictures.

I didn't have time to crawl under the Boxster yesterday and check out the O2 sensors. It's raining pretty heavily in Virginia today, so I thought I would take some time to think this through and obtain some feedback.

Based on what I've read on this and other forums, here in very simple terms is my understanding of the problem and proposed corrective action:

1. There are four O2 sensors on the car.
2. Only one of mine is bad
3. The one that is bad is after the catalytic convertor on the driver's side of my U.S. spec car.
4. I only need to replace the bad sensor.
5. I can order a sensor from OxygenSensors.com (http://www.automedicsupply.com/catalog.php?&engine=H6-2.7L) and it will be plug and play. I could also use a generic Bosch sensor and save some money, but I would need to splice some wires.
6. It might be worth it to buy a special socket for the O2 sensor so that I can torque it properly.

My questions:

1. Do I have this right?
2. Any recommendations or suggestions?

Thanks.