How to Clean an Oxygen Sensor on a 2000 Jeep Cherokee

The oxygen sensor on your 2000 Jeep Cherokee is a device that balances the vehicle's fuel and oxygen ratio. Over time, however, your oxygen sensor can become dirty and clogged. Usually, the best way to handle a bad oxygen sensor is to simply replace it. However, replacement sensors run around $75 to $100. If you find yourself short on cash, one alternative you can try is cleaning your oxygen sensor. Cleaning your Jeep's oxygen sensor is a fairly easy task.

• 1

  Drive your Jeep Cherokee to a parts dealer and have them run a quick and free diagnostic test to determine which oxygen sensor is causing the trouble. There are two on your Jeep located on either side of the catalytic converter on your exhaust pipe.

• 2

  Remove the oxygen sensor that is causing the trouble. Do this by removing the two mounting bolts that hold the sensor to the exhaust pipe using a socket set. Next, use your fingers to depress the two tabs on the sides of the oxygen sensor's plastic connector and pull. The oxygen sensor should come free easily.

• 3

  Fill a medium-sized mason jar (the jar should be around the height of the sensor) with clean gasoline.

• 4

  Place the sensor into the mason jar and seal it with the lid. Stir the jar up slightly, occasionally allowing the gas to work its way through the sensor. Allow the sensor to sit in the gasoline overnight.

• 5

  Remove the sensor from the jar of gasoline the next morning. Dry it with a clean dry rag or paper towel.

• 6

  Replace your Jeep Cherokee's oxygen sensor by reversing the process in the second step.