I am all set to change the upper oxygen sensor on the passenger side of my 2004 XKR. I can clearly see it and it seems accessable. My problem is I can't seem to follow the wire to the connection or figue out how the wire gets to the connection which seems to be behind the throttle body. I think from reading the Jaguar workshop manual that I have to "detach" the connector from whatever is holding it, then disconnect the wire from the sensor. Fine, but the wire from the sensor seems to pass somewhere behind the engine before getting to the connector.. It seems the biggest part of this job is getting the connector detached, then disconnected, then getting the wire out so the sensor can be removed. I'd appreciate some real world input from someone who has done this job.

Thanks

 

There is a steel bracket bolted to the top of the gearbox bellhousing that has 'segments' for the connector mounts.
Pull the connector STRAIGHT UP off the steel mount tab and then separate the connector halves.

Lots of harness loom in the way but it is back there.

 

My small-handed neighbor and I did this job on my wife's 2006 XK8 in December 2020. Not an XKR, but my notes from that day may help you. I have monster-sized hands and could not get them down into the tight spaces where the oxygen sensor connectors live, so that is where my neighbor (Frank) came in handy. Here are my notes:

"After removing the air intake tube, we sprayed the grey oxygen sensor connector pieces with WD-40 and used needlenose pliers to wiggle the connector assembly somewhat loose from its metal bracket behind the throttle body. Once Frank was able to get two fingers underneath the connector assembly, he was able to pop it up and out of its bracket. We could then squeeze the plastic tab on the connector and pull the male connector (top) out of the bottom connector (bottom). Once the connector pieces were apart, we tied a shoelace to the old oxygen sensor connector end, pulled it out, tied the shoelace to the new oxygen sensor connector end, and then pulled on the other end of the shoelace to feed the new oxygen sensor wiring harness into position. I then hand-screwed the new oxygen sensor tight (after applying the supplied anti-seize to its threads) and cranked it down with my 22mm box wrench. We then reconnected the two electrical connector pieces (male and female), and slid the connector assembly back down onto its bracket."

Hope that helps....

 

Thanks! Your answer was the key. On my car the wire from the sensor seemed to go over the transmission and I thought came baqck to be the top connector! No way was I going to be able to get that out of there. Your experience was the key. The wire from the sensor is the bottom connector. much easier and simpler. Just one more question - Do you remember how the connectors get out of their bracket. I have my hand there and can't seem to get it to release. Do I push them up to release or just pry them out. Thanks again!

 

GOT IT! The connectors push up and they pop right out. Jon89 your answer was the key to this project for me. Thanks again!