P0140 code keeps coming back

[DCMojoJim]

2004 5.8 L 1500 w/ only 52,000 mi
Replaced O2 sensors (2X) and code returns P0141
Bank 1 sensor 2 heater failure
Checked sensor @ 6 Ohms resistance and power to sensor unit running 13.6 V
Engine runs fine on (closed loop) but kicks up code when switching over.
Need it to function to pass inspection (failed to to monitor not ready)
Checked Temp pre cat @ 450 and post cat is 410 ( does that mean a Bad Catalytic converter ? )
Replaced Plugs, Coils, wires, up stream O2 sensor 3 years and 5k mi ago .
Was thinking of chasing wire to PCM for short , but I'm getting readings on OBD
Any sage mechanical advise on what to check or replace next ?

 

[DCMojoJim]

Heal thyself , Instead of 4 for $50 Amazon O2 sensors (claim to fit and work)
Use NTL/NGK $100 front and $60 rear (different) O2 sensors . Problem solved
Bad part , but tested as working, had me thinking my PCM was faulty FYI
Lesson I learned , don't skimp on O2 sensors

 

[Mojo88]

Thanks for posting. It's always a hard temptation to resist: saving a few bucks with ****tty parts.

Glad you got her fixed! With three vehicles, I'm going through this kind of stuff almost every time I am renewing State Inspection. But I try to fix everything 100% as soon as that CEL (or other) light comes on.

 

[Daw14]

I learned long ago , if I want the best chance of a successful repair , pay the extra for OEM and do the job once .

 

[EricKBattleGround]

You don't necessarily have to get the OEM's part to do a good repair. A well-known name brand - OP noted NTL/NGK sensors were used to fix the issue - may actually be the manufacturer for the OEM, and you may be able to get that part for less money (i.e., lower markups) from a reputable auto parts store.

My $2.00 opinion: the best reason to consider OEM first is because you're a lot less likely to get a counterfeit part from an authorized dealer. In the heavy truck world, from which I retired, there were articles published on the subject on a regular basis - sometimes, with examples of parts stores that got fooled by a "great deal on an OEM part" that turned out to be counterfeit. Heavy trucks are a small subset of the entire automotive universe, and - based on what I saw from 2021 - 2023 - counterfeiting was impacting every manufacturer. Especially with electronics and sensors.