Expert: Mike Evans - 2/11/2010

Question
I need to replace my O2 sensor on a 96 Volvo 850. The price range I have found is between $35.00 and $175.00, is there a huge difference between an O2 sensor? Or is it the geat what you pay for thing? Thanks, Gary

Answer
    Usually the cheap ones are what they call "universal" oxygen sensors.  You have to snip the connector from the old sensor and attach it to the new one with crimp connectors that are provided with it.  The only potential problem is that the connection must be perfect.  The Oxygen sensor only puts out a few volts DC.  DC current isn't very good at jumping across bad connections.  That's why household current is AC, it has to travel many miles and move from wire to wire without losing too much voltage.  So, you can use the universal one, just make sure you have a proper crimping tool and squeeze it real tight.