The 1996 Chevy S-10 Blazer has four oxygen sensors: one on each side of the engine in the pipe directly below the exhaust manifold collector and one downstream forward of the catalytic converter and one after the converter. The two sensors closest to the engine sense the percentage of expelled oxygen in the exhaust flow, indicating the quality of the mixture ratio. The two fore and aft of the converter determine the effectiveness of the catalytic converter by comparing the differences in oxygen ratios between the inlet and outlet of the converter, which can also be used to recognize a converter failure.
Instructions
- 1
Raise the front of the truck and place a jack stand under each side of the frame. Lower the truck so it rests on the stands. Slide under the truck and look up at the rear of the exhaust manifold where it connects to the downward exhaust pipe. The sensor will be either in the exhaust manifold or the pipe.
2Unplug the electrical connector from the sensor to the harness. Place the oxygen sensor socket over the sensor, with the wire from the sensor protruding through the slot in the socket. Install the ratchet and thread the sensor out counterclockwise. It helps to ease removal if the exhaust is still warm.
3Install the new sensor by hand to prevent cross-threading. Install the socket and torque the sensor to 30 foot-pounds. Plug the sensor wire into the vehicle wiring harness connector. Raise the truck and remove the jack stands. Lower the truck.
