ml ( check engine light )

i have a 02 camry v6 20k my ml light came on .i scanned my engine and got code p1135, malfunction air/fuel sensor. the local mechanic said he will have to check all my sensors etc ( charge $ 65.00 ) than replace or repair problem. would it be advisable to just buy a sensor online and have mech. replace it, it would be cheaper or let the mech troubleshoot the system and pay about $300 + dollars . thanks for replies

If it was me I would get myself a repair manual on the car,Haynes or Clymer and find the sensor and replace it.From what I've seen the computer leads you in the right direction.I'm not an expect but that is my view.

its MIL ..=  Malfunction Indicator Lamp/Light  ..   Sometimes letting a professional mechanic diagnose the problem can actually be cheaper in the long run . and i second the haynes book it will more than pay for itself .
 

the machine gave you that code? i cant find that code in my haynes manual..
 
 
edit: nvm...u have a 2002..

i have my own scanner, and code  p 1135 keeps coming up, i clear it and in a couple days i get the same code again. car runs fine, i'm just trying to find the cheapest repair, dyi or independent mech. the sensor is precat on the firewalls side of engine. i could buy a new denso sensor for $ 124.00 online and have a mech install it or trust a independent mech to trouble shoot and change what he wants

Well does the air/fuel sensor code mean the A/F (O2) sensor is bad or that the engine is running rich or lean? The codes only tell you the direction to go in, they do not do the diagnosis. Why don't you test the O2 sensor first before spending on a new one. Could be a faulty temp sensor that is causing rich condition.

don't have the manual on me, but im pretty sure the descrition for that code is electrical short or open  a/f heater malfuntion in bank 1 sensor 1..very common for the sensor to go bad or open on v6...but i would test the circuit and find the cause...don't guess....either diag yourself and learn or have someone else do it....but if your tight on money im going to say that its 70% change  that its the a/f sensor....
 
 
 

i'm going to set up a appointment to have the car checked out, yea i'm pretty sure its a bad sensor, i'll let you all know the results. thanks for replies

this is a follow up on air/fuel sensor repair. local foriegn car repair shop charged $ 50.00 to read code, which was the same as my scanner did, but the sensor bank1 sensor 1 if on the radiator side on a v6 camry 2002 to 2006, not the one on the firewalls side, per information i read on different site looking up code p1135. total repair is $ 325.00, only because no parts supply store close had a sensor in stock. the one at the dealership cost $ 225.00. end of story

bank 1 is related to #1 cylinder..#1 cylinder is closer to the firewall not the radiator...A/F sensor bank 1 sensor 1 is the main a/f sensor closes to the firewall..

hi
 you are right, i told the mech that #1 cylinder was on firewall side, he said no, so i said go change the sensor that will turn off my ml light. one hour later he said you were right and he need to change the one on the firewall side, because the one on the front side was clean and the other one was black, no extra cost to me, but he took cut, since he charges $ 75.00 an hr. thank you for the info

Just found this fourm and I have the same code on my 2002 v6.  Is the air fuel sensor on the front of the motor the same as the one on the back?  I just installed a new one on the front bank and my code didnt go away.  I'm just hoping that I dont have to spend another $200.00 for rear one if its different.  I'm new to Toyota's whats a good site for oem quality parts?

yea the front and rear are the same, usually the bad sensor will be discolored. you can but oem parts at drivewire.com. much cheaper than at a dealer

That fixed it my sensor was'nt discolored tho.  No more check engine light.