Oxygen Sensor - Engine Light On / Off

[onestar]

Hi All, been scanning the forums, to see a failing Oxygen sensor is not that uncommon. My Engine light (Avensis 1.8vvti 52 reg) came on e.g. Tuesday. Took it into a dealer and for £40 they said it needs a new sensor (or was it 2?) - at a mere £240 supplied and fitted. They reset the light. On Thursday the light returned (ok me thinks must be real). They tried fixing on Saturday but said they needed to remove the manifold as it was jammed, and now it is going to cost 350!!!!!

Anyhow drove off for rebooking, the light was still on. On Sunday the light went off. Its off today too.

I thought once a fault was there, the light stays on? Is this normal for the engine error light to go off, when it claimed the oxygen sensor is bad ? Was tempted to buy the diagnostics mentioned elsewhere on these forums.

Thanks anyone

[gazza1286]

The flashing engine management light can indicate a multitude of sins. It is the diagnostic tests which tell the technician the specific fault codes. The garage should be happy to show you the codes (and their meaning) if you ask.

The sensors for these vehicles are generally Dealer only parts. Toyota seem to have avoided putting 'universal' sensors on their cars.

Take a look at this site. They 'might' be able to supply the same unit cheaper.

http://www.lambdasensor.com/

From posts I've read, the intermittent flashing of an engine light is not unusaul. Again Toyota should be able to reassure you on that point as well.

[pmb]

My Rav4 has done something similar. After paying loadsa money in May for an O2 sensor it was fine until a month or so ago. The dreaded management light came on for a day or two and went off. It repeated that a week or two ago and again went off. However it is now constantly on. There are a few threads on this Avensis forum worth a read and also the American and Oz Rav4 forums too.