Current Events > What is this thing hanging off my car?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Been driving with it dangling. Wondering what it is.
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https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/400-current-events/75685953
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I don't know but I don't think it's a good thing when anything is hanging off your car like that.
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expected balls
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get under there and find out where to put it back

looks like the pipe slid out from that sensor

I've checked it out. No idea where it goes. Tbh it looks like it doesnt go anywhere.
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is it normal for car undercarriages to look that rusty
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Bok_Choi posted...

is it normal for car undercarriages to look that rusty

yep

Bok_Choi posted...

is it normal for car undercarriages to look that rusty

it happens but its not good

his entire exhaust line is probably gonna break in half like mine did a while back though
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https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/271-cars-and-trucks

Ask here, lots of helpful people on that board. Just don't be surprised if it gets derailed after your question is answered.
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It's one of your O2 sensors, tells your car how much air / fuel it needs.

Looks like a O2 Sensor.
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Car penis. Your car is a boy.

Bok_Choi posted...

is it normal for car undercarriages to look that rusty

If you live in an area with snow it can be especially bad.
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how do i fix it O_O
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It's a robot tampon. You must have run over a robot.
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PlayDatBarre posted...

I've checked it out. No idea where it goes. Tbh it looks like it doesnt go anywhere.

Maybe it hooks up somewhere on the converter behind the covering ?

Looks like it'd be hell to see or hook back up though.
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It'll hook up somewhere along the exhaust, after the catalytic converter. Gotta be close since there's no slack on it.

Oxygen sensor
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And if it's even still good, you probably won't get it on properly without a lot of effort or an O2 socket.

You need a new O2 sensor...
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O2 sensor. depending on the vehicle it might go before or after the cat. at best you're looking at 0.5 to 1 hours labor at any local shop to reattach it - at worst you'll need to replace the sensor if it's been damaged, which is likely

It's an O2 censor. What is the make and model?
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What is that car anyway ?
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Also I'll be dammed on how O2 Sensors can come lose.

Usually they are wrist breakers when taking them off.
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1996 nissan maxima

if i don't do anything, what will happen
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PlayDatBarre posted...

1996 nissan maxima

if i don't do anything, what will happen

if it's close to the front wheels, it's one of the front precat sensors; if it's more in the middle it's the rear after the cat.

without a functioning O2 sensor setup, your engine will run in open loop mode, so you'll constantly run rich. your gas mileage will tank (and the V6 in those is thirsty to begin with), and you're more likely to melt your cat and cause problems down the road. an O2 sensor is significantly cheaper than a new cat, so just get it fixed

thanks for responses. i wanna just get a new car lolz. how much does a new o2 sensor run for like $50 plus labor
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Don't get a new car, the 95-99 Maxima is one of the best ones ever built. My 99 had 275k on it with just basic maintenance and the only reason it didn't last longer is an SUV ran a red light and totaled it.
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PlayDatBarre posted...

1996 nissan maxima

if i don't do anything, what will happen

it's going to break in half. cost more to replace and it will take longer than an hour to fix. not sure what will happen if drive with the issue though if in the scenario that you drive with the problem.
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littlebro07 posted...

Don't get a new car, the 95-99 Maxima is one of the best ones ever built. My 99 had 275k on it with just basic maintenance and the only reason it didn't last longer is an SUV ran a red light and totaled it.

i like the car for what it is but mine has too many small things wrong with it and i think i'd rather just upgrade and get all new stuff. AC doesnt work, has trouble starting on low gas (and sometimes stalls out), gas tank cap is damaged, check engine light has been on since i bought it (CO2 sensor has been replaced since then too), rear window stopped working, car shakes at higher speeds (80ish), brakes scratch despite getting new pads, rotors, calipers, tires

the only thing i really like about it is the cabin visibility lol. granted i havent driven many other cars so maybe i just don't have much perspective

kingdrake2 posted...

PlayDatBarre posted...

1996 nissan maxima

if i don't do anything, what will happen

it's going to break in half. cost more to replace and it will take longer than an hour to fix. not sure what will happen if drive with the issue though if in the scenario that you drive with the problem.

i've been driving with it like that for probably almost 2 months now. havent noticed anything too drastic, maybe a downtick in gas mileage but thats it.

but yeah i guess i'll just get this done in the mean time
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yeah, the VQ30 in those is pretty bulletproof. the rest of the car will erode to dust before you encounter any engine problems

Like others said, it's an oxygen sensor, and it screws into the exhaust pipes either before or after the catalytic converter. Lets the computer know how and when to adjust the fuel/air mixture the engine burns.


Not having one means there's a big ass hole in your exhaust, and your fuel economy will start taking a dump.
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is this something that i can reattach myself or should i have someone else do it/replace the whole thing
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Just tape it back to the bottom of your car.
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Capn Circus posted...

Just tape it back to the bottom of your car.

it's a good idea, wrap it up good though its only a temporary fix.
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PlayDatBarre posted...

is this something that i can reattach myself or should i have someone else do it/replace the whole thing

It's like putting in a spark plug.

Except you need a special socket with a slot in it.

http://facom.com.pl/3872-thickbox_bosky/d146a-klucz-i-nasadki-do-sond-lambda.jpg

Unless you are man enough to use a regular wrench to tighten it in.
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cool thx. just gonna bring it in tomorrow.
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so apparently that thing hanging is the old o2 sensor. the guy that installed a new one like a year ago welded it on (?) but forgot/didn't bother to actually connect it. so i've been trying around without an o2 sensor for a long time now. great.

also, where exactly does the thing connect to? the guy at this garage said you have to pull the seats up to get to something, but it looks like you just replace this short piece and it doesn't have much wire to travel far.
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What is that white piece ?

That looks like the only place it can go into.

Maybe someone put on a new one and they left the old on hanging there ?

Try using this for reference.

http://pop.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/05/54c88484808d3_-_o2sensor-1a-0807.jpg
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