P0133 after dealer replaced Catalytic converter?

Is there something the dealer repair shop could have done wrong in replacing my cat to cause this problem????

I have lately replaced the generic sensor with a direct OEM plug in replacement and still have the same error code????

Help!!!!

Thanks,

Mike
My VIN: KNAFB161815015258
1. Complaint
Recently the catalytic converter failed and Reno Kia replaced it under warranty. Within 8 miles of driving after the cat replacement the check engine light came on with a P0133 code: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank1, Sensor1).

I took the car back to the Reno Kia Service the next day and they said that it is not related to the work they did and that I needed a new O2 sensor. They charged me $50 for the diagnostic to tell me what I already knew. They made it sound like this is a common problem after a catalytic converter is replaced. They said It happens all the time. They did not offer to reimburse me if I had them replace the sensor and that did not fix the problem.

They are supposed to be the experts so I took them at their word that I had a faulty sensor but I was not going to spend $300 to have them replace something that is no more complicated than replacing a spark plug and takes about 5 minutes to change. I replaced the sensor with a generic Bosch sensor. I cleared the computer code and 30 miles later I got the same code. I went back to the Dealer. I wanted to talk to the service manager but he was out on vacation so I talked to the general manager. He told me that the sensor I got from the auto store was bad and that that happens all the time.

So, I want back to the auto parts store and told them that the Dealer said that the sensor was bad. They exchanged the sensor. I put it in and got the same code. I went back to the Dealer and talked to the service manager. He looked up my car’s history and said that my car was over due for a timing belt and that he could not do anything until I got the timing belt replaced because that could be causing the problem. I asked him if we found out that the problem was caused by their work if they would pay for my expenses. He said that they would stand behind their work.

I was not about to let them replace my timing belt so I took my car to Midas and they replaced my timing belt. The mechanic that did the work used to be a certified Kia mechanic at Reno Kia. He told me that he had never heard of a timing belt causing an oxygen sensor to look bad. He told me that he quit Reno Kia because he could not sleep at night because of the things they did to customers.

I reset the computer after the timing belt and 30 miles later I got the same code. I took it back to the Dealer. They ran a diagnostic on it and said that the sensor was bad because I cut the connector off the original sensor and used it to connect the generic sensor.

I know that you are not a technical person but I have been working with sensors and instrumentation for over 20 years. I have a degree in electronics and I have worked for companies that make sensors as a trouble shooting expert. The oxygen sensor is a high impedance device that creates a voltage when heated. It has a very high impedance of over 22 million ohms. Bosch has a patented wire connection kit with their generic sensor to make a good connection and to protect the connection from the harsh environment under the hood of the car. If per chance I did make a poor connection which may add 100 ohms or so, those additional ohms would not make any difference compared to the 22 million ohms already in the circuit. Buy the way, I did check the connections I made with an ohm meter and found that they were perfect and that no additional ohms were added. It is scientifically ridicules for Kia to claim that me cutting the wires is the cause of the problem.

The dealer said that unless they put in a Kia part and that they did the work there was nothing they could do but I had to pay for this work. They would not guarantee me that if this did not fix the problem that they would take responsibility and reimburse me for them causing this problem.

I went back to the auto store and found out that they had an OEM part that had the Kia connector already on it and I did not have to cut any wires. It is a direct plug-in replacement part. I bought this sensor and installed it. I cleared the code and 30 miles later the code came back.

The next day I called Bosch technical support. They were very helpful. They told me that they make Kia’s sensor for Kia and that the sensor I put in is the same as the original Kia sensor. They said that they sell thousands of these sensors to Kia customers and have not had any issues like this. They said that there is nothing wrong with their sensor. They said that some other problem like a vacuum or exhaust leak is causing the sensor to appear to be bad.

Reno Kia Service will not fix this problem caused by warranty replacement of catalytic converter. I am asking you to intervene to resolve my issue.
2. Request
I got much better customer service from Bosch for a $150 part than I got from Reno Kia for a $13000 car. I most likely will not buy another car from Kia and I will tell my friends about the poor quality, disrespect and service I got from Kia if the Reno Kia does not fix this problem.

I request that the Dealer fixes the problem at their cost and pays me for the parts I bought and reimburses me for my time, repairs and the Diagnostic I had to pay for ($1000).

3. Other options

If I don’t get satisfaction from the Dealer than I will pursue them in small claims court for faulty workmanship and possibly pursue them for fraud and intentional malice with the Nevada Consumer Affairs Department for damaging my car to try to get more work from me.

4. Here is what I found on the internet:
P0133 OBD-II Trouble Code
Technical Description
Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank1, Sensor1)
What does that mean?
This involves the front oxygen sensor on the driver's side. This code indicates the engine air fuel ratio is not being adjusted by the oxygen sensor signal or the ECM as expected to do so, or not adjusted as often as expected to do so once the engine is warmed or under normal engine use.
Symptoms
You will likely not notice any drivability problems, although there may be symptoms.
Causes
A code P0133 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
&#61623 The oxygen sensor is faulty
&#61623 The wiring to the sensor is broken / frayed
&#61623 There is an exhaust leak
Possible Solutions
The simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.
If the code comes back, the problem is more than likely the front driver's side oxygen sensor. You will likely wind up replacing it but you should also consider these possible solutions:
&#61623 Check and fix any exhaust leaks
&#61623 Check for wiring problems (shorted, frayed wires)
&#61623 Check the frequency and amplitude of the oxygen sensor (advanced)
&#61623 Check for a deteriorating / contaminated oxygen sensor, replace if necessary
&#61623 Check for inlet air leaks
&#61623 Check the MAF sensor for proper operation
Thanks,

not the point of this forum!

I've seen alot of problems with those sensors from Bosch! Putting a connection into a circuit for the oxygen sensor signal is never a good idea regardless of whether the connection is good at this moment or not! Had the part been installed at the dealer and a dealer supplied part you might have had a leg to stand on figuritively but in your case I understand both sides of this argument! If the wires were crossed, shortted etc when the 02 was installed then who's to say the pcm wasn't damaged etc! they didn't damage it if that's the scenario that unfolds so why would they be liable for the diagnosis to prove the guilty party! It's likely there's an exhaust leak that's contributing to the lazy signal of the 02 or there's an issue with the engine or one of it's systems that contributed to the failure of the converter but You never stated what your initial codes were or why the converter was replaced! If the converter is covered under an extended warranty and the converter was replaced and it repairred a po420 code for instance but the the po133 code remains then it gets to be a real gray are about who is responsible! It strikes me as odd that the dealer would tell you as well that a timing belt is causing your dtc but what your failing to grasp is that using one mechanics diagnosis and another mechanic to perform the repair is essentially freeing up 2 service centres of any responsibility after the work is performed, the shop that does the belt can say it was an incorrect diagnosis but we'll do it anyway and the dealer can stand by there story and even say it must not have been done right! I fail to see why you as a customer would pay another shop to replace the timing belt if you suspectted the belt wouldn't cause the code but you wouldn't pay KIA 300 dollars to replace an oxygen sensor! It sounds more like you have an issue with trusting the dealer to repair your car or you have an issue with trust period, Im not sure. I feel bad for you because I understand the frustration your facing with this but working in a dealer I know that customers that come in only for warranty work and approach the service manager like it's owed to them have very little success with this policy. Catalytic converters normally fail from being damaged by other systems in the engine that aren't working, ie misfires, burning oil or coolant, low grade fuel etc, etc. A customer that doesn't maintain the vehicle properly or ignores misfires and other converter damaging issues and excpects that a new converter should be installed and it will remedy everything is very rarely satisfied.
The most warranty dollars are payed out to the customers that are loyal throughout the cars service life. Not saying it's right it's just how it is unfortunately. Incorrect spark plugs that continue to misfire, neglectted engines that develop oil burning etc are not grounds for warranty converter erplacements on any warrnty forms I've ever read. It's no different then blowing up an engine at 40 000 miles and never changing the oil. It's not a failure as a result of a design or manufacturing defect but of abuse. As fa as your scenario goes If it were my car I'd replace the other 02 sensor(s) because I have seen 1 old sensor combined with a new sensor and a new converter throw some weird codes and check that the conver replacement job didn't leave an exhaust leak that's throwing the 02 reading out.

good luck