ecu code 61
 

on my 2000 si my check engine light came on so i checked the ecu codes. its giving me a code 61 which is the primary o2 sensor circuit. the wiring looks fine so does that mean i need a new o2 sensor? seems easy but i just didnt know if that was actually what could cause the circuit bad code!

did you make any intake or exhaust changes? I am having a similar problem now and am trying to fix it. If you didnt make any changes, then it may have gone bad, but it seems weird for one to go bad like that, esp so quickly.

changes
 

yes i put a new skunk2 intake manifold on about a month ago. it stutters mid power band pretty bad now too. about 4k rpm it will lose power then build back up when i hit the gas. i though it was a vacuum leak but now that the ecu is saying its the o2 sensor and also my exhaust is extremely black with soot. i know exhausts are suppossed to be black but mine is really chuncky with soot. if ya have anymore input it would be appreciated

check your MAP Sensor. or anything loose around the manifold

okay, here's a simple fix. i had this problem before 5 months ago. all i did was pull out the sensor and cleaned it with a hot soapy water. the CEL never came back.....knock on wood....

always reset your ECU on any major upgrade you do with your car. YES, that includes intake and exhaust systems.

yeah i reset the ecu. tried it like 4 times and 4 different methods...ie. let it idle for 15 min. and so on. ill try the hot soapy water this week. hopefully it will work. just any soap or did you use dish soap or what??? thanks!

dish soap, to get rid of any oily build up crap on it. rinse with water and dry it up thoroughly with a dry cloth.

hey, let me know if any of this works ok? thanks

no
 

nope didnt work. while i was under the car though i could feel a pretty good size exhaust leak just behind the cat. i dont know how much this could effect the stuttering or the ecu code but according to my sources a code 61 can also be an exhaust leak. soooooooo im gonna get the leak spot welded this weekend and if that doesnt fix it ill put the new o2 sensor in and then from there i guess its on to the timing. exhaust leak looks to be the obvious cause though.