21 replies to this topic

[alex532]

I read my check engine codes for the first time in 5 years after the light came on the first time. I previously thought the light was on because of my MSDS headers installed, but with recent hesistation in the car and strange idle sometimes, I decided to pull the codes.

What I'm wondering, is if this many codes suggests that I need a new computer, or if it is possible there are this many problems with the car?

Codes:

337
522

172
176
337
543

Thanks.

[Comano]

For codes 172, 176, since they are lean codes for the front and rear O2 sensors, it could be that you have a vaccum leak of they are caused by the headers.

I don't know if they are related with code 337 - EGR feedback signal is/was was high

522 - AIRB solenoid/circuit failure, I don't know if it reffers to air bag system

543 - Fuel pump monitor circuit shows no power

They are showing 3 kind of different problems, but the hesistation behavior could be due to a problem with the pump or an electrical issue with it.

It's just an opinion, may be someone here could give you more light with it.

Edited by Comano, 10 January 2012 - 08:32 PM.

[alex532]

Interesting, thanks for the feedback.

I don't think I have any vacuum leaks because I've checked, but I'm not that confident in my ability to find vacuum leaks either. So I guess this is always a possibility.

Any idea how to figure out what about the airbag is not functioning? I noticed while checking the codes that the airbag light flashed 41.

Is the EGR feedback (337) related to the DPFE? I have considered replacing the DPFE thing becuase it's one of the few parts I haven't replaced on the car.

I put in a new aftermarket fuel pump about 6 months back, I wonder if the code is due to something that occured while I was changing the pump out. How long does the computer store codes? Maybe I can clear them all and see which ones come back?

Thanks.

[Comano]

I'm not an expert on the codes, but if you have headers then you removed the catalitic converters and the O2 sensors readings will be out of they are expecting, may be you should try some MIL eliminators to cheat the computer providing "good" readings from the sensors and this way avoid the codes.

If you got a code 41, it means HO2S circuit indicates system lean (right HO2S) it is not related with the air bag.

About the fuel pump, since it is indicating a no power condition, you should check the wiring and the connections.

You can also check this page to know the description of the codes: http://www.freeautom...oblecodes7.html

[alex532]

I still have the oxygen sensors and it has a high flow cat, so I don't think it needs a mil eliminator unless the headers are causing another issue.

The 41 code I got was from the airbag light flashing, that's why I assumed it was something related to the airbag. The check engine code did not flash 41.

I'll check the fuel pump wiring.

Thanks for the link.

[Aussie Ford]

Below are the correct definitions for your codes. The first three could be, as was said, related to a vcuume leak, and or that DPFE. Little flat rectangle on the fire wall with two hoses and an electrical connector. You really need a mirror and something lik wd40 to find some of the vacuum leaks. W/O the pre CATs you probably do need the MIL's in the system.

CEL OBD1
172 (R,M) Oxygen sensor not switching - system is or was lean - Single, Right or Rear HO2S.
176 (M) Oxygen sensor not switching - system is or was lean Left or Front HO2S.
337 (O,R,M) EGR feedback signal is/was was high.

Is your tour an ATX? The PNP switch can do some weird things to a vehicle. If not the CPP is actually mounted on the clutch pedal and sometimes gets out of adjustment or broken. 543 should be checked out.

522 (O) Park/Neutral Position (PNP) or Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) circuit fault Transmission MLP sensor out of range in park.
543 (O) Fuel pump monitor circuit shows no power (M) (Service 556 code first if present) Fuel pump relay or battery power feed was open.


Air bag code
41=RH Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open.

The crash sensors are located by the grill disconnect the battery and wait 10 minutes. Then remove the crash sensor and clean it and the area under it. Remove the rust from the mounting screws also. Then remount it problem should be resolved.

AF

[Terry Haines]

...a few hints & tips.Hope you used new stoc Fod exhaust gaskets on your headers,all other fabric types tend to blow and can give a code. From the year and age of your car I suspect vac leaks from old intake manifold gaskets,a common source of vac leakes on these engines. On EGR type codes,remove the t/body and check the EGR channels in the intake manifold,chances are they are blocked with carbon.DPFE tubes also should be checked...

[alex532]

Thank you for the additional responses.

The car has a manual transmission, I'll look for a switch on the clutch peddle, but I don't remember anything being down there.

The vacuum line assembly from the intake manifold to the DPFE and EGR and stuff is new, so I think the DPFE may actually be bad. I'll replace and then check the status. I also have a new ford EGR valve, so ill throw that on too and see how it does.

Question about the mil eliminator, does that do anything except make the light go off? Like could it improve the function of the car?

I'll check out the airbag sensor and clean it.

Thanks.

[Aussie Ford]

Always be careful when working with the AB system. Besure to wait after disconnecting the battery for the residual retained charge to drain out.

As for the MIL's they provide the porper input info for the ECM there by turning off the CEL. That also lets the ECM quit trying to compensate for the out of spec info coming in from the o2's. The result is the engine runs better.

AF

[alex532]

Where is the best/cheapest place to get Mil eliminators for a 1995 contour?

[Aussie Ford]

Check places that sell headders, & do a search here. I know that has been discussed several times.

AF

[alex532]

I had some time to replace the DPFE and EGR valve on my car this evening and that seemed to fix the hesitation issues I've been having. But, the car still seems to drop below normal idle when I take my foot off the gas and then immediately recovers to normal idle. Is that caused by the IAC valve? And can I clean the IAC valve, or is replacing it the only option? looking at replacements it seems like I could buy a motorcraft one for ~$70 online, or a aftermarket one for ~$30, any reason I should avoid aftermarket?

Also, can I make my own MIL eliminators for the oxygen sensors on my 95 contour?

Thanks,
Alex

[alex532]

My hesitation issue came back again today, seems as though if I leave the battery disconnected for a while and then reconnect and drive, it temporarily fixes my issue.

I still have not addressed any potential issue with the clutch peddle position sensor, could that be the cause still? Can I buy a new one if it is? I could not seem to locate the part online .

I also have not addressed any potential issue with the fuel pump code. Since wiring appeared fine, I don't know what else to do.

Thanks,
Alex

[alex532]

I thought about the fuel pump circuit issue some more and remembered that the aftermarket pump(that I installed a year ago) was tricky to get wired back up into the harness, so I found a brand new motorcraft pump assembly online for $60 and just threw that on today. It did not resolve the hesitation issue I am having, but hopefully it fixes the fuel pump open circuit code.

I inspected the clutch pedal ignition lock out switch today and it seemed in normal working order, is that the part that would throw the 522 engine code?

I'm considering replacing it, but I don't want to just continue replacing parts, anyone have any thoughts?

I got the parts from radio shack to build mil eliminators and plan to make them in the next couple of weeks, but I don't expect this to resolve the issue since I've been running with the MSDS headers and no mil eliminators for the past 4 years.

Thanks,
Alex

[BuckeyeSVT]

Ok, let's back up a second. What are the continuous codes in memory? Not the new one's that probably were created by improperly performing a KOEO or KOER. 522 is created by not pressing the clutch switch during KOEO when asked (like pressing the brake pedal, turning the steering wheel..etc.)

-Dom

[alex532]

Dom,

Thanks for the reply. You are right, I must have improperly performed the KOEO test because I did not depress the clutch peddle, brake, or turn the steering wheel at any time during the test, I simple grounded out the self test lead and turned the key to the on position to read codes. That was what the instructions I found the internet instructed me to do, do you have more detailed instructions?

To answer your other question, the 337 and 522 were the only two KOEO codes, the 172, 176, 337, and 543 were all stored in memory. Unless my process above messed that reading up as well?

Thanks for your help.

Alex

[BuckeyeSVT]

alex532, on 31 January 2012 - 06:21 PM, said:

Dom,

Thanks for the reply. You are right, I must have improperly performed the KOEO test because I did not depress the clutch peddle, brake, or turn the steering wheel at any time during the test, I simple grounded out the self test lead and turned the key to the on position to read codes. That was what the instructions I found the internet instructed me to do, do you have more detailed instructions?

To answer your other question, the 337 and 522 were the only two KOEO codes, the 172, 176, 337, and 543 were all stored in memory. Unless my process above messed that reading up as well?

Thanks for your help.

Alex

Normally those codes are stored if you bone up a KOER, not a KOEO. Did you attempt both?

-Dom

[alex532]

No, only tried KOEO, didn't realize KOER was a option. Is it performed the same way just with engine running?

[BuckeyeSVT]

Yes. But you will need to make sure that once you start the test (with the engine running) that you press the brake, clutch and turn the steering wheel back and forth.

-Dom

Posted on my iPhone on the go!

[alex532]

ok, so tonight I had time to run the KOEO test again and the KOER test for the first time.

KOEO test codes:
176
543
172

KOER test codes:
172
136

Lots of lean codes based on codes posted for 1995 vehicles. I assume all the lean codes are the result of O2 sensors needing MIL eliminators since I have MSDS headers, so I guess I need to build the MIL eliminators that I bought the parts for. The 543 concerns me since this is a fuel pump open circuit code. What could be causing this? I was receiving this same code in my original posting, but I have since replaced the entire fuel pump assembly. I checked the wiring at the fuel pump and it didn't appear damaged. The hesitation I get periodically does seem consistent with the engine not getting fuel. Basically I'll go to accelerate and car starts to move and then stops and then a second later recovers and takes off.

Thanks,
Alex