2000 VW Passat 2.8L V6, ATQ, 100,000 miles.
I bought Bosch 16073 O2 sensors to replace the original sensors on my car. Several online stores, Bosch's website, Amazon and ebay compatibility tools suggested this was the right replacement sensor. My initial intent was to do job myself but life intervened with other issues and I took the car to an indie mechanic that I have never used before but he advertizes himself as a VW specialist. An hour later, he called me to tell me that my replacement left sensor was incorrect as the connector on it would not fit the car. Specifically, the right/passenger side connector plugged right into the ECU. This replaces the green connector of the original oxygen sensor that came with the car. However, the left/driver-side connector of Bosch 16073 is keyed differently and cannot be plugged into the car's ECU unit (this connector is supposed the replace the brown connector that came with the original oxygen sensors). Any suggestions what may be going on - I am confused as by all accounts this is the correct oxygen sensor for both right and left rear/downstream sensors for this car.
There is a blank connector that came in the 16073 box. Several reviews on Amazon.com say that I need to use this. For example:
"One thing to note is that the part numbers with green and brown connectors were discontinued and replaced with these that have black plugs. The passenger side bank goes to the green plug and the driver side goes to the brown. The brown connector is keyed so that the green and brown plugs would not be interchangeable. To plug this new sensor in for the driver's side (brown) connector, you must replace the connector with the one included in the box. The wire pins can be difficult to remove without the official tool. I've found that in a pinch, two hair pins that have been bent and had the ends cut off work well."
And:
"Although the seller advertizes this product as an IEM replacement and fit for the Audi A4 Quattro B5 2.8 engine, one must replace the ECU wiring harness O2 sensor plug with the plug provided in the box. You require a special Steelman or other Audi terminal tool to perform this task. Not a quick replacement without the tool. Insure your vehicle harness plug matches the O2 sensor plug"
Two questions:
(1) I am not sure which connector I need to replace. Is it the one on the oxygen sensor (male)? Or is it the one on ECU side (female)?
(2) Can an indie do this connector switch? Autozones of the world as well as online stores are all selling Bosch 16073 as the replacement for both right and left rear sensors. I am wondering why the indie hasn't come across this issue before? Could it be that the original VW sensor that I can get from dealer will not have this problem? The sensor from dealer cost $234 + tax versus $59 I paid for Bosch 16073. Indie is charging me $140 to replace both sensor. I am stuck with car on his lift. He asked me to get the correct sensor asap. And my emissions/tag renewal is due in 10 days. So I feel I am in a bind here. Any ideas/suggestions appreciated! TIA.
I bought Bosch 16073 O2 sensors to replace the original sensors on my car. Several online stores, Bosch's website, Amazon and ebay compatibility tools suggested this was the right replacement sensor. My initial intent was to do job myself but life intervened with other issues and I took the car to an indie mechanic that I have never used before but he advertizes himself as a VW specialist. An hour later, he called me to tell me that my replacement left sensor was incorrect as the connector on it would not fit the car. Specifically, the right/passenger side connector plugged right into the ECU. This replaces the green connector of the original oxygen sensor that came with the car. However, the left/driver-side connector of Bosch 16073 is keyed differently and cannot be plugged into the car's ECU unit (this connector is supposed the replace the brown connector that came with the original oxygen sensors). Any suggestions what may be going on - I am confused as by all accounts this is the correct oxygen sensor for both right and left rear/downstream sensors for this car.
There is a blank connector that came in the 16073 box. Several reviews on Amazon.com say that I need to use this. For example:
"One thing to note is that the part numbers with green and brown connectors were discontinued and replaced with these that have black plugs. The passenger side bank goes to the green plug and the driver side goes to the brown. The brown connector is keyed so that the green and brown plugs would not be interchangeable. To plug this new sensor in for the driver's side (brown) connector, you must replace the connector with the one included in the box. The wire pins can be difficult to remove without the official tool. I've found that in a pinch, two hair pins that have been bent and had the ends cut off work well."
And:
"Although the seller advertizes this product as an IEM replacement and fit for the Audi A4 Quattro B5 2.8 engine, one must replace the ECU wiring harness O2 sensor plug with the plug provided in the box. You require a special Steelman or other Audi terminal tool to perform this task. Not a quick replacement without the tool. Insure your vehicle harness plug matches the O2 sensor plug"
Two questions:
(1) I am not sure which connector I need to replace. Is it the one on the oxygen sensor (male)? Or is it the one on ECU side (female)?
(2) Can an indie do this connector switch? Autozones of the world as well as online stores are all selling Bosch 16073 as the replacement for both right and left rear sensors. I am wondering why the indie hasn't come across this issue before? Could it be that the original VW sensor that I can get from dealer will not have this problem? The sensor from dealer cost $234 + tax versus $59 I paid for Bosch 16073. Indie is charging me $140 to replace both sensor. I am stuck with car on his lift. He asked me to get the correct sensor asap. And my emissions/tag renewal is due in 10 days. So I feel I am in a bind here. Any ideas/suggestions appreciated! TIA.
