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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Oxygen Sensor location

Old Jun 7, 2007 | 10:14 AM
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Oxygen Sensor location

As kind of a followup to a previous post of mine, I'm preparing to replace the oxygen sensor on my 1990 F150 XLT 5.0.

Bosch seems to be the way to go from what my searches have turned up on the forums, but I haven't been out under the hood since I pulled my engine codes. Before I can pick up a new sensor, I need to determine how many wires it has and how long the pigtail needs to be.

Thus, my question: where exactly is the factory location for the o2 sensor? Is it on the manifold under the hood or is it going to be under the truck before the cat? I've seen conflicting information about how many wires a stock sensor for this model year should have, so I figure I'd best look before I run out to NAPA.

Thanks for the help, I'm sure I'll need more.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 10:21 AM
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It should be in the y-pipe in front of the cat converters.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 11:22 AM
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Just get a stock replacement sensor instead of the universal one. It has the correct number of wires, plugs right in, and last time I checked, the bosch direct fit was cheaper than the universal. I'm not sure that NAPA sells Bosch sensors, though, it might only be their in-house Echlin brand. I usually get the Bosch O2 sensors from Advance Auto for about 40 bucks or so.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by EPNCSU2006
Just get a stock replacement sensor instead of the universal one. It has the correct number of wires, plugs right in, and last time I checked, the bosch direct fit was cheaper than the universal. I'm not sure that NAPA sells Bosch sensors, though, it might only be their in-house Echlin brand. I usually get the Bosch O2 sensors from Advance Auto for about 40 bucks or so.
I've seen Bosch sensors that have the OEM connector for 65. But some of these are 3 wire and some are 4 wire. I've only searched online so far, but I haven't seen anything that can tell me which a 1990 5.0 uses.

I think I have an advance around here somewhere...the most common parts shop in this area is AutoZone (eek!) so I have to usually look around parts of town I don't know well to find anything else.

Of course, this is all speculation, since god knows if I can break loose what I have a feeling is the factory sensor from 18 years worth of salt belt rust.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 12:19 PM
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the auto parts store will know.

or just look at yours.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by quicklook2
the auto parts store will know.

or just look at yours.
Hehe...yhea, that was the point of my first post, so I knew if I had to crawl under the truck or not.

Not doing it in my office attire that's for sure.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 04:06 PM
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I'm not sure what year the trucks changed from 3 wire sensors to 4 wire, but the bosch website lists both for your '90. It lists a 13942 if 3 wire and 15716 if it is 4 wire. Autozone carries both of those as well, 40 for three wire and 45 for four wire....
 
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Old Jun 7, 2007 | 04:22 PM
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i have replaced both 3 and 4 wire o2 sensors in that year truck and that is why it is best to just pull yours off and look at the connector.
 
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