OBD code and drivability probs - Bad O2 sensor?
 

This may be one of those "Did I do more harm than good?" situations.

While working on my 2000 Protege LX (1.6L) the other weekend, I noticed that the exhaust manifold heat shield had rusted out and was hanging loose on what I believe was the O2 sensor. I decided to remove it, which necessitated unscrewing the sensor from the exhaust manifold.

The very next time I got the car up to highway speeds, my check engine light came on and the engine started lugging and losing power. It would have difficulty maintaining highway speeds and would gradually slow from 65 mph to as low as 55 mph, recover a bit and then loose power again.

I pulled the code with my OBD reader and got the following: P1170 HO2S Circuit fixed (Bank 1 Sensor 1).

Thinking back, I think I twisted the wiring on the back of the O2 sensor pretty severely when I unscrewed it. I'm wondering if I broke a contact somewhere and if so, is this fixable or am I now in the market for a new sensor?

Alternatively, this could all be a crazy coincidence and if anyone has thoughts on what else it could be, I'm all ears (eyes).

Thanks in advance!

Anyone?

It would make sense that you messing with the o2 sensor would have something to do with this. If you think you might have just lost connection somewhere in the wiring then you should be able to fix it, but if you messed up the actual sensor itself then you're SOL.

I guess the first thing I would do is inspect the wiring very very closely and see if you can pinpoint the problem.

Me? Yeah, you twisted the wire and broke it. Beofre buying a new one - i would cut and splice (solder and heatshrink) new wire and see if that fixes it.

If not - a new sensor is needed.

Get an o2 socket tool(with cut out for the wire).