Upstream O2 sensor - which brand???

[colt933]

I am experienced home mechanic.

The 2003 P5 is throwing a code for the heater circuit on the upstream sensor. No biggie.

But then I start researching prices and WOW! The Denso OEM version is like $180.

I have always purchased OEM style O2 sensors for my cars in the past. But this one is so expensive that I thought about getting a universal fit and cutting the plug.

Does anyone have good experience with non-OEM-style O2 sensors on this car?

NGK, Denso, Bosche?

Thanks in advance.

 

[magnumP5]

Go to www.onlinemazdaparts.com and pick up a stock O2 sensor. The last time I checked they were around $120. I've never had any luck with "aftermarket" or universal O2 sensors on Proteges.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

It's a standard bosch 4 wire. Any similar sensor will work, just make your own harness.

 

[colt933]

You both have about 5k posts, but your stories are conflicting.

Opinions are like...

 

[magnumP5]

You both have about 5k posts, but your stories are conflicting.

Opinions are like...

Just relating my experience, take it or leave it. I can spare the extra money to pay $120 for a sensor I KNOW will work and will require no cutting, splicing or anything. Just remove old sensor and replace.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

And in setting up my Haltech with the stock sensor, i discovered through my own research that our stock sensors are like 99% of other 4 wires out there, and they're universal. I don't really understand his post, but I thought I was helping out?

 

[magnumP5]

And in setting up my Haltech with the stock sensor, i discovered through my own research that our stock sensors are like 99% of other 4 wires out there, and they're universal. I don't really understand his post, but I thought I was helping out?

It's understandable, but yeah, I don't get his comment either. I just have personal experience (on my fiance's '01 Protege LX 1.6L) that universal sensors don't work too well. It took her three iterations at a shop to finally use a Mazda sensor and clear the CEL.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

Strange, because all "bosch type" 4 wire sensors (our stockers are made by denso?) all use the same wire colorings, voltages, and resistance to give a reading.

 

[vickmacky]

I put in a Bosch and just spliced the wires to the old harness and its been great. Now if the harness was the problem in the first place well........

ETA: sorry, I have a P5 FWIW

 

[colt933]

You both have about 5k posts, but your stories are conflicting.

Opinions are like...

My point was that you have both posted about the same number of times to this forum, but your opinions were opposites. So this means that there really is no consensus on the matter of O2 sensors.

I did ask for opinions and I got some. Thanks to both of you.

I have typically put only OEM replacement parts in my '94 NA Miata - but haven't had to do much to it over the years as far as repairs (O2 sensor, clutch slave cylinder, clutch - I think that's it - not including maintenance issues) and it has bout 130k on the odo.

The 2003 Protege 5 has been so miraculously reliable that I've only changed oil, air filter, and plugs, and that's it. Nothing has failed until the O2 sensor. That car has like 105k miles on it now and the first thing to really 'go wrong' is the upstream O2 sensor. It's ironic that the replacement schedule for these is 100k miles and mine threw the code at like 102k.

I guess I was expecting to hear that the universal Bosche was crap and to stay away from it - but I haven't heard that at all. I believe that I will purchase the 4-wire Bosche universal O2 sensor and if it craps out I will purchase the OEM for $120 from Rosenthal or similar.

These two Mazdas have been at least as reliable as some Hondas I owned in the '80s and '90s and far better than a couple of Nissans. It makes me wonder why the Mazdas don't hold their value like a Honda or Toyota. It seems to me that someone looking for a good reliable used car should seriously look at the Mazdas because of the quality and the low resale value.

 

[mx-p5]

the posts weren't opposite, both are just posting from experience

They are not saying don't do one or the other, they both just gave their opinions

 

[Maxx Mazda]

As long as you wire it up properly (please, use solder DO NOT crimp) you should ahve no problems...

 

[mx-p5]

And No Wire Nuts!!