Hello Acura community. I am new to the forum and am looking for some advice. I know this thread is ancient but hope you will bear with me.

I have a 1996 3.2 TL and am the first and only owner. I have cared for this car for 26 years, doing most of the maintenance/repair myself (no timing belts though!) My check engine light is on (OBD code P0141, O2 heater circuit, Bank 1, Sensor 2). I believe I am capable of the repair/replacement but need clarification on the location of the sensor. I won't be able to register my car without it passing a smog check (California stuff), so I sure would appreciate some help.

Many thanks,
danmax

 

@danmax

Post moved as thread to model specific forum for better response.

 

Thank you Ron

 

Generally speaking, Bank 1 is the front exhaust pipe and Sensor 2 is after the cat. Just follow the pipe and you'll feel it.

 

Thanks! You wouldn't happen to know the part number for that particular sensor, and is this sensor considered the upstream or downstream sensor?

 

Downstream.

 

Thanks again for the speedy replies. I'll see what I can hunt down as for a part number.

 

I don't have any suggestions to your problem, but it's nice seeing someone posting on this forum.
I have the same vehicle you have, but I only have 99k miles on mine and no codes.

I also have done all my own maintenance and repairs but farmed out the timing belt.

 

First, thanks to Ron and Pair of TLs for the help. I replaced the downstream sensor and the check engine light is off, and no code is present. This task was a real bear. I had to buy a sensor socket to get it out and the new one back in; very limited room, both under the car and under the passenger seat (where the pigtail comes up from the cat into the car interior.

And good to hear from tempetom. I bought mine new in 1996. I've cared for it like it was my child (I'll change diapers before I change a timing belt though). Mine is red pearl garnet. It has 237,000 miles and I fully expect to get 100,000 more.

 

O
Another job I'll never tackle, Hell, I'm 83, is the starter. Long story, but I almost lost my right forefinger when jacking it up the first day.
I really damaged the fender and the running board where my finger was when the jack squirted out.
I stubbornly didn't seek medical attention and the finger took many weeks to heal.
My doc eventually said it wasn't infected, but I should have had it sewn up.

The starter took me and a 7 1/2 year older guy 7 weeks to finish.
That was maybe 13 years ago.

I bought my car in 97 and it had a salvage title.
Still runs great.

 

The starter is a nightmare. I went to replace mine a few years back and threw in the towel before even starting the job. As I recall, you have to drop the driver's side front axel and mess with a bunch of steering and suspension components. I think I could have done it, but a pro could knock it out in a couple of hours or less. It helps to have a floor hoist. I find the best way to work on cars is to swear at them constantly as you work along. I am enjoying your stories though. Feel free to swear at will....

 

When I did the starter on my 3.2TL, the instructions even called for taking the exhaust apart.
There was no way I could do that but did disconnect a ball joint and removed an axle as I recall.

One recommendation I would make would be to replace the large bolts holding thing together with hex socket head bolts.
I had to use all kinds of wobble socket extensions.

I'm amazed that something hasn't come loose since then.
I also couldn't put the wire loom at the starter back on, it was just too hard to do lying my back with jack stands holding the car up.
Never again.

 

I'm having good luck and good times here, so here's another issue with my 1G TL. My ABS light has been on for years. When I first start the car I hear this sound like an electric pump for a few seconds. The ABS light does not come for 15-30 minutes, then it comes on and stays on. After I park and turn off the engine, go into a store or such, then restart the car, the ABS light will still be on. When I park for a longer period (about 45-60 minutes), I start the car and the ABS light is off.

I don't know if that sound like an electric pump is normal or if it's even related to the ABS system. Any thoughts, and should I start a new thread for this?

 

I had to replace my ABS pump some years ago.
I seemed to not put one of the tubes back completely right and it has a leak that never shows.
It does make my brake fluid level drop over time, and the ABS light comes on.
When I add brake fluid, the light goes off.
Maybe you can top off your brake fluid reservoir, but that's probably not the problem.