We are driving near Dallas. Torrential downpour and big shallow flooding (3-6 inches.) Made it through, no issues. Stopped for lunch. On restarting, I have a permanent P0607... And 4 hours of driving left today. I assume something got wet. For now I intend to keep going. Is it dangerous or harmful to drive with this DTC?
By that, do you mean it is shown only as a permanent code, and not as a current code? Is the check-engine light now on? If it's only a permanent code, I'd assume that something got wet, and is not now. Maybe worth checking the heated oxygen sensor wiring when convenient, see if there's a reason its water-resistance might be less than designed, or a way to improve it. What inspired you to scan for codes after lunch?
Pretty sure he had a check engine light on restart after lunch. Maybe try this thread: Well.... my annual P0607 is back (Calling the Gurus) | PriusChat
Thanks... It is historical and current. Doesn't clear. Check engine light-inspired... Continuing south. Maybe sunshine in Waco?
Mid-day yesterday, the check engine light went out on its own. About 24 hours after the flood->code incident. I'm going to assume it was Big Splash --> P0607 -> Dry Out Over Time -> All's Well. :-D
Back home, got a big splash, this time a different code set... Now I'm suspecting a specific problem: * Got P0138 O2 Sensor code, plus P0607 * Next morning, clearing codes worked This is now a painful intermittent thing. I've heard that sometimes water can impact the emissions system??? I'm about to jack up the car and take a look-see... but (assuming there's nothing obvious like a damaged cable) this sounds like a potential time drain to diagnose. Does anyone have experience diagnosing issues that only show up when the car has been recently drenched? Any hints would be mucho appreciated.
Start with a visual check of the wire insulation integrity near where the wires connect to the heated oxygen sensor under the car.
I've never seen it, but heard the O2 sensors can go out if they get wet. For a 2011 Prius, Toyota wants around $173 but O'reillys has Denso's for $137
I've heard that too. Sounds a bit crazy, since the device is exposed to the under-car environment (of course the sensor itself is not, or shouldn't be... Rock Auto has a variety of compatibles for under US$100, if it comes to that. We shall see!
Pretty sure that was it. I don't know if this is "normal" but there's a tight zip-tie on the O2 sensor cable. It cut through the insulation over time. Since a complete replacement is ~~$100+... As an Electrical Engineer myself, comfortable with making and rebuilding cables for decades... Is it reasonable to attempt a repair? (I'm thinking: disconnect each wire from the big connector, use high quality waterproof / adhesive shrink tubing to seal it up, and reassemble.) OR Is it likely the water intrusion has caused some kind of harm to the sensor itself, and it's just not worth trying to save $100... buy a replacement.
Also got a response from my local many-decades ASE mechanic friend (usually too busy to respond but this question got him going!) He strongly recommended replacement (and recommended Denso, NOT Bosch). Apparently some OEM O2 sensor models use the cable itself as part of the method for collecting outside air, so if the cable sheath has been damaged it can cause wonky trouble. He's not saying that's a certainty in any particular case, but he's seen it enough times that he's learned to just replace if the OEM cable sheath is damaged. The Denso replacement comes with a bunch of documentation; it's pretty clear that the replacement at least uses a different method. Having read up on this more, I'm cautious about this actually solving the problem. I sure hope I'm not getting into replace-the-cat-converter territory...
