Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 10:00:13 -0700
From: Steven Tom <stom@qualcomm.com>
Subject: oxygen sensor question

Just replaced my O2 sensor from a check engine light reading "E5".  E5 
error is precat bank 1-3 response time.  After I replaced the O2 sensor and 
I still have the check engine light.  Did I miss something?  Is the plug 
unidirectional?  I was told that the engine cylinders are 1,2,3,4,5,6 from 
front to back.  I believe that you can insert the plug two ways, right side 
up or upside down.  I noticed that there are small little arrows on the 
plugs.  I lined them up when I plugged them in (as opposed to inserting 
them in the opposite sides).  This seemed the logical thing to do.

One thing that I found handy in performing the job is to buy a stubby 22mm 
wrench.  Sears has them for $12.  Unfortunately they were out of the single 
22mm, so I had to get a set of 11 (10mm-22mm) for $60.

Other than that it was one of the smoothest jobs I ever performed on the 
car other than I still have the check engine light.  Oh and yes, it still 
reads E5 code after the job.

Also just got my Brembos with Porterfield r4s installed.

steve
soon not to be stock M3


Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 11:51:38 -0700
From: Steven Tom <stom@qualcomm.com>
Subject: Re: Oxygen sensor

I have a 96'.  The order of the cylinders are important because the code 
tells you if it is the O2 sensor for bank 1-3 or 4-6.  The OBD2 cars also 
have pre and after cat sensors.  Since the OBD2 cars are learning DME's 
then I don't know if unplugging the battery will work.

To change the sensor is relatively easy and yours are located similar to 
where mine are precat.  Invest in a stubby 22mm wrench it made the job 
easy.  I believe the job took about 15 minutes not including set up 
time.  You will need to remove both top engine covers to get to the O2 
connections.

steve

At 01:56 PM 7/9/01 -0400, Jonathan Evans wrote:
>I'm guessing that's not a 95 you're working on.  I have no idea what "E5"
>means.  And what does the order of the cylindars have to do with the O2
>sensor?  Please enlighten me, as I may need to change mine soon.
>
>Here's how I got rid of my check engine light (1221- oxygen sensor).  This
>was as per the suggestion of the BMW tech:
>
>I disconnected the battery terminal leads and shorted them together.  (the
>leads, not the battery terminals!  doh!)  Reset the DME and all is well now.
>We'll see if the O2 goes out of spec again, but it seems to be running well.
>
>Jonathan
>95 m3