How do you replace the oxygen sensor on a 2001 vw beetle?

There are two of them. They are referred to as lambda senors on VW's for some

reason. I just changed the rear one on mine recently

anyway the first one is before the catalytic converter, and the second is after it.

I changed the rear one tonight.

Its located almost directly dead center of the car after the catalytic converter.

Also there is plastic cover on the passenger side of the car. that is where the wires plug in to both front and rear. You will need to take off a few nuts, and remove that cover to unplug it.

I messed around for longer then i should have trying to get the whole thing out in one piece. I opted to cut the wire off at the base of the sensor and used my biggest socket wrench to break it free.

from there installation was a snap. I just twisted in the new sensor, ran the wires thrue the loom to the cover, plugged it and put the cover back on.

It's a lot easier then i thought it would be. It's just a pain when you have a crappy floor jack.

If your light is still on. It won't reset with the new sensor. You'll have to take it to dealer or buy your own reset tool

It's just another way vw is trying to make a buck.

I'm going to work on the front sensor next weekend. hope I helped