O2 Oxygen sensor removal bank 1 sensor 1

[69BahamaYellow]

Anybody replaced the driver side upstream O2 sensor on a 2002 Liberty Limited 4WD with 3.7 V6? Can’t figure anyway to get my hands on the plug to disconnect it from the harness. I can just touch it with my fingers if I go in from either the bottom, next to the catalyst or from the top by the power steering pump. I can see it with an inspection mirror, and it’s located just above the motor mount, but I don’t see any way to get at it with pliers or any other tool. Looks like I’d have to remove the O2 sensor from the catalyst first, and then remove the catalyst to get my hands on the plug. Another option might be to remove the battery box to get at the plug from the top. Not sure which is easier but I’d love some ideas

 

[Offroad Bob]

I have ! I used a pair of long needle nose pliers to hold the plug from above and then I used a small flathead screwdriver to press the tab and separate it the plug. Then I took the old sensor and cut the wires close to the sensor and cut the plug off and looked at the wires. They were not anything special, just regular stranded copper wire so I spliced about 8-10" into the wires on the new sensor. Then you grab the plug on the harness down by the engine with needle nose to hold it and plug it up with the sensor still in the engine bay nearby. Then I dropped new sensor down between the engine and the unibody rails , keeping clear of the header pipe. Before installing it in the exhaust, I wound the sensor and wires up counterclockwise as far as I could, then stuck the sensor into the exhaust and tightened. Been working for 3 years. Now you can go on Amazon and buy extensions already made up. I bought a full set and the 4 correct sensors and plan to change all of mine soon. I'll hit 200,000 miles tomorrow.

 

[69BahamaYellow]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll give that a try but if it doesn’t work I’ll remove the battery box. It looks like that will let me get a few more fingers on it or perhaps I’ll just cut the wires and pull it out from under the exhaust manifold so I can have better access. The new sensors have longer wires so that should make it much easier to reconnect

 

[Offroad Bob]

You could cut the wires at the old sensor and leave it plugged up to the harness. Then just splice those wires into the new sensor wires. I used solder on the wires and heat shrink tubing

 

[Ksat]

That plug is a ***** to reach on any kj with the 3.7. You're going to have to get creative in order to unplug it. I would suggest adding a (male to female) extension before you install the new sensor in case you ever have to unplug it again. I got mine for under $15 and it'll be worth every penny if I need to mess with it again.

 

[Willie]

Anybody replaced the driver side upstream O2 sensor on a 2002 Liberty Limited 4WD with 3.7 V6? Can’t figure anyway to get my hands on the plug to disconnect it from the harness. I can just touch it with my fingers if I go in from either the bottom, next to the catalyst or from the top by the power steering pump. I can see it with an inspection mirror, and it’s located just above the motor mount, but I don’t see any way to get at it with pliers or any other tool. Looks like I’d have to remove the O2 sensor from the catalyst first, and then remove the catalyst to get my hands on the plug. Another option might be to remove the battery box to get at the plug from the top. Not sure which is easier but I’d love some ideas

You can try using longer extensions on your drill

 

[JeepJeepster]

Its been a few years, but I dont recall having any issues replacing my 02 sensors. Maybe mine were on bank 2 only, but I recall doing both US and DS.

 

[Rough]

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-long-reach-hose-grip-pliers-37909.html Was able to get mine apart with one of these.