o2 sensor problem?

neonnut · #1 09-17-2009, 01:45 AM

Hello everyone, neonnut here, just joined, 1st post of what I'm sure will be many.

I'm working on my wifes 97 neon 2.0 DOHC, tryin to make it run smooooth for her and last night I ran a diagnostic on it and it said the coil was bad so today I went and had it tested and sure enough it was cooked so I replaced it and cleared the code and when I took it out on the freeway it seems to run perfect from my driveway to the freeway entrance and as soon as I hit 60 mph it starts missing and lurching like crazy and if I turn a tight corner it dies on me but then starts right away and runs fine but if I put my foot to the floor it dies.

I got it back to the garage and ran a diagnostic on it and it showed code 51. In my haynes manual it says it's the o2 sensor, My question is could an o2 sensor cause this type of problem? Why would it run fine until freeway? Why would it stall out on corners. It only popped up one code on the diagnostic, has anyone come across a similar problem?, could really use some help.

Thanks in advance for lettin me vent. Neonnut.

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Altima_wb · #2 09-17-2009, 12:50 PM

well it could be the o2 sensor and seen as thats the code i would deff start by replacing and see where that gets you... its really hard to say if thats the whole issue or not untill you replace that sensor first and see if it fixes all the issues you are having... but with the fact you replaced the coil did you instal new spark plugs and wire? 99% of the time coils don't go bad by themselves something takes them out... and the biggest cause of coil failure is bad spark plug wires... that being said the is also a chance that your new coil is bad also... I would replace the O2 sensor and have the new coil tested just to make sure its not the issue... after that if you haven't installed new plugs and wires its deff time too..

Ghost Neon 2 · #3 09-17-2009, 03:33 PM

When was your last tune up? What condition are your vaccum lines and intake hose in currently?

neonnut · #4 09-18-2009, 06:30 AM

I've checked all the wires on my ohm meter and they're ok, just put new plugs in weeks ago and new coil is ok also. !'st diagnostic I ran showed the bad coil , after replacement that code was gone but it showed code PO351 which is o2 sensors primary and secondary so I'm going to pull them both out tomorrow and check the voltage on them after cleaning them up, I'm sure they will be dirty as engine has been running way to rich. When I pulled the new plugs out to check gap I noticed that they were covered in soot so they're not burning all the fuel and it burned almost a third of a tank to drive 2 test runs of about 5 to 7 miles. Buy the way what type off plugs do you suggest?,the guy at parts store said to put NGK in and the manual says Champion, any advice? Also I'm thinking fuel sending unit might need to be replaced but it 's kind of confusing because the car start's and runs perfect till it warms up, then it goes all to hell. Thanks so much for the fast responce, it's always good to get advice from people with experience.Vacumn lines and intake hose all good. Neonnut.