Primary oxygen sensor heater circuit malfunction

[Wilfred Smulders]

My check engine light of my 94 accord lx went on yesterday, so I flashed the error code with a paperclip. It appeared to be error 41, which says that the heater circuit of the oxygen sensor is malfunctioning. I read that the heating is only used when the motor is still cold, and otherwise doesn't have a function. Does this mean I don't have to hurry replacing the oxygen sensor? Does it give me a bad milage, even when I mainly drive long distances? Is it hard to replace the oxygen sensor yourself?

Wilfred

 

[Koji San]

The O2 removal requires a one time use special socket tool. Sometimes the O2 gets stuck and other times it's a snap. Also depends on the location.

Does this mean I don't have to hurry replacing the oxygen sensor?

Nope. Usually any emission open circuit causes the computer to go into fail safe mode. In this mode you're driving around with a rich mixture which can damage the O2 sensor and catalytic converter, if it's not already history.
Koji

 

[Koji San]

The O2 removal requires a one time use special socket tool. Sometimes the O2 gets stuck and other times it's a snap. Also depends on the location.

Does this mean I don't have to hurry replacing the oxygen sensor?

Nope. Usually any emission open circuit causes the computer to go into fail safe mode. In this mode you're driving around with a rich mixture which can damage the O2 sensor and catalytic converter, if it's not already history.
Koji