Lambda probe?

[Dumbclutz]

Has anyone changed a lambda probe / mixture sensor / thingy on a 406 V6? My good lady's estate has the engine management light on and a while back I got someone to read the fault code which said the sensor (air mixture, I think) on bank 1 was defective (Tesco'd I think). The car runs fine and seems not to smell but it is due an MOT this week and I have a feeling that the emissions may not conform. Looking down the back of the engine I can see a sensor in the top of the exhaust pipe, it looks like a simple job to replace it but I don't know oif that is "Bank 1".
I'm guessing here but I assume that the Bank mentioned is a 3 pot exhaust manifold, and there is one on each side of the engine? Is there a straightforward test to check if a sensor is dead and can they be resuscitated or purchased easily?
Cheers

[mikey s]

is it the early v6 or the later 2000 on one? bank 1 is the front bank nearest the radiator.

post 2000 v6's (211 bhp) have 4 lambda sensors, 2 pre, 2 post catalyst. im not 100% sure whether the early engines have 4 or not.

the are pretty simple to change. a good 22mm spanner usually undoes them. if they dont budge with a spanner, cut the sensor body off half way down and use a deep 22mm socket on a bar.

[Dumbclutz]

is it the early v6 or the later 2000 on one? bank 1 is the front bank nearest the radiator.

post 2000 v6's (211 bhp) have 4 lambda sensors, 2 pre, 2 post catalyst. im not 100% sure whether the early engines have 4 or not.

the are pretty simple to change. a good 22mm spanner usually undoes them. if they dont budge with a spanner, cut the sensor body off half way down and use a deep 22mm socket on a bar.

Hi, Thanks for the information. I don't know if my wife's car is a late or early one. It is a year 2000 on a W plate with the plain glass face lift headlights. Does this help?
Do you know how I check to see which is the defective probe? Can I use a meter on them to see if they are open circuit / closed circuit. Or perhaps measure the resistance across the terminals? I'm splashing about in unknown territory here using words and describing techniques that I probably wouldn't know how to apply, but I'm more than keen to have a go. I'm fed up with giving the local Pug dealer enough money to buy a yacht, while I can't afford a Mirror dinghy. I went out and bought a trolley jack and a pair of axle stands, now I want to get stuck in.

[mikey s]

if its an 2000 on a w it will be the later v6. you really need to get the fault codes read again to ascetain which of the lambda sensors is at fault. as a rule of thumb, both should be changed at the same time. just dont be tempted for cheap/secondhand sensors. they rarely work and can actually cause even more headaches.

plump for either genuine or ngk sensors.

[Dumbclutz]

if its an 2000 on a w it will be the later v6. you really need to get the fault codes read again to ascetain which of the lambda sensors is at fault. as a rule of thumb, both should be changed at the same time. just dont be tempted for cheap/secondhand sensors. they rarely work and can actually cause even more headaches.

plump for either genuine or ngk sensors.

Thanks for your advice.
I will see what happens when I pull the old ones out!

[Dumbclutz]

if its an 2000 on a w it will be the later v6. you really need to get the fault codes read again to ascetain which of the lambda sensors is at fault. as a rule of thumb, both should be changed at the same time. just dont be tempted for cheap/secondhand sensors. they rarely work and can actually cause even more headaches.

plump for either genuine or ngk sensors.

Thanks for your advice.
I will see what happens when I pull the old ones out!

Hi, I bought a sensor from Peugeot and swapped it with one of the front sensors, then the fault code changed from error on bank 1 to error on bank 2. I switched the new sensor with one on bank 2 and no change, so I swapped it with the other one on bank 2 and then the code went back to error on bank one. Hey Ho I thought...two knackered sensors. I bought a second sensor and fitted that to bank one and now all the error codes have gone away. I'm pleased to have solved the problem but am a bit gutted at having to pay £147 + VAT for each sensor (£345.45).
BUT it passed the MOT !