Replacing my 02 sensor: connector won't open

eivashchenko · Post by **eivashchenko** » 02 Sep 2012, 00:18

Hi, I have a 1998 volvo v70 xc. I opted to save a few hundred bucks and try and replace the 02 sensor myself. I have spent hours trying to figure out how to disconnect the electronic connector side from it though, and have no idea how to do it!

I was able to reach it from the bottom and get a screwdriver between the red and black piece of it and open it up like 1/4 inch or so. It doesn't seem to open anymore, but the male end won't pull out, and the red part doesn't seem to close now either.

No idea what to do. Please help!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Sep 2012, 00:34

The connector is like a ZIF socket. There is a tab on the side of the socket that slides out and then the connector separates with virtually no force whatsoever. On your '98 I think the tab that you pull is reddish in color.

The tab will pull out about halfway and then need another little tug to slide all the way out.

...Lee

madspeed50 · Post by **madspeed50** » 02 Sep 2012, 10:12

yup, push up the red locking piece first, then they will come apart. i had trouble first time too.

Sent from my rooted, rommed Galaxy Nexus....

Post by **rspi** » 02 Sep 2012, 10:18

Those things get me every time. Usually takes me about 5 minutes to get it loose. On both sides of mine there is a little locking tab that I usually just break off, no way to release both sides at once to get them loose. Then the connector kinda channel locks out. When I put it back together I use a zip tie to secure it, if that is even necessary.

Step 11 here has a good pic: http://www.atthetipwebs.com/technologyi ... sensor.htm

eivashchenko · Post by **eivashchenko** » 02 Sep 2012, 19:05

Thanks for the help, I got it!

New problem now though: there is not enough room to get an o2 socket onto the sensor end of the o2 sensor. i don't think i can get a wrench in there either. does anybody know the proper way to do this on a volvo v70 xc? I'm, again, completely at a loss.

64deville · Post by **64deville** » 02 Sep 2012, 20:03

Ha, i just posted something about this on my 99 V70 awd (should be up in a few min). I did mine today and bought both O2 sensor tools with no luck. Tried for hours to get the sockets and wrenches in position from the bottom side and zero luck. Could barely get the socket on and when i did there was no room to swing the socket or wrench handle. I ended up using a 7/8" (or 22mm) combo wrench. From the drivers side you can see the O2 sensor. You can slide the open end of the wrench onto O2 sensor, it fits flush but barely and will slide off if you're not careful. When you have it on the O2 sensor walk around to the drivers side and you have just enough room between the firewall and the back of the engine to get about 1/8 of a turn. Then walk back around to the drivers side, reposition the wrench, walk back to the passenger side and get another 1/8 of a turn. Then you can crawl underneath and loosen it up by hand.

BTW, the open ended wrench i used wasn't quite long enough so i cut about 18 inches of fence post, slid it on the end for some more length and leverage. I also sprayed a little PB blaster on it before i started just in case.

Post by **rspi** » 02 Sep 2012, 22:16

On the rear sensor I had to remove the cover plate. If you have a hard time taking it out, just cut the wires.

Post by **jimmy57** » 02 Sep 2012, 22:25

Take off the triangle shaped plate that secures the exhaust pipe to angle gear. If that isn't enough then take off the three nuts holding pipe to turbo and slide the pipe towards right side of car.