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getting no spark

9

96probegt

Be Gentle I'm New Here
Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
3
ok so where can i start i have had this car for just around 3 months and it has just made me scratch my head over and over again
my cel has been on for the whole time some one told me to change my mass airflow sensor so i did
th light went away 1 month later the light is back the same trouble code again i knowq the trouble codes are very general but the same code for everything come on
but on another note my newest prob is that it will not start the first thing i had suspected is that it was the fuel pump considering that it has been intermittently stalling since i bought it so ci checked the fuel pressure and then the spark there was bfuel but no spark
ive changed the plugs wires coil packs and still nothing
i have been told that there is no ignition module on the car that is taking care of by the computer
any suggestions for this prob pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee help:shrug:
 
Welcome :). What year, engine (Zetec 2L I-4 or Duratec 2.5L V6) , tranny (auto or manual) and how many miles? When the CEL is on, you need to scan it and post the exact code(s). Free scan/reads from Autozone or Advance.

Check Crankshaft Position sensor (CKP) and camshaft position sensor (CMP).
 
1996 2.0 zetec il4

1996 2.0 zetec il4

man is this thing driving me nuts i was just trying to get nit started a little bit ago with some of the tips i got from the site code scan says 171 system to lean
 
The dredded cel

The dredded cel

I have a 96' zetec 4. The cel has been on for years now. About a month ago I had a problem with it not wanting to start and run smoothly. I had the same code as you (171 system to lean). Changed the EGR and the problem went away. I still have the cel light on though. Does anyone know what else keeps this thing on.

Thanks
 
There is a coil pack, the ignition wires will lead you to it, and there is also a crankshaft position sensor and camshaft sensor. The code should indicate one of those sensors is bad. There may also be another module that the coil pack is driven from, I forgot its name (rarely fails on the V6 models). You could have a wiring issue as well, in fact very likely.
 
weebs said:
I have a 96' zetec 4. The cel has been on for years now. About a month ago I had a problem with it not wanting to start and run smoothly. I had the same code as you (171 system to lean). Changed the EGR and the problem went away. I still have the cel light on though. Does anyone know what else keeps this thing on.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Per TSB, some of the reasons for this code.

P0171 - System Too Lean (Bank 1)The Adaptive Fuel Strategy continuously monitors fuel delivery hardware. The code is set when the adaptive fuel tables reach a rich calibrated limit.

Fuel System:
· Contaminated fuel injectors
· Low fuel pressure or running out of fuel (fuel pump, filter, fuel supply line restrictions)
· Vapor recovery system (VMV)
Induction System:
· MAF contamination
· Air leaks between the MAF and throttle body
· Vacuum leaks
· PCV system concern
· Improperly seated engine oil dipstick
EGR System:
· Leaking gasket
· Stuck EGR valve
· Leaking diaphragm or EVR
Base Engine:
· Exhaust leaks before or near the HO2S
· Secondary air concern
Powertrain Control System:
· PCM concern
 
i kept throwing the code because of a bad maf.

now about the ignition module, i was thinking for the manual trans its built into the pcm, while the autos had a seperate module somewhere else.
 
96probegt said:
which one of those items would stop me from getting spark
Click to expand...
Try these first.

1) Turn key to on. Should have light on CEL for a few seconds. No light means no power is going to the PCM. Need to check wiring. If there is light, check other wiring.

2) Check CKP, CMP sensors and ignition coil. Also check wiring leading to PCM from those two sensors and coil.

3) If all else fails, disonnect battery for a few minutes. Reconnect and then start. If it works, could be a loose wiring in battery cable or PATS issue.

"What tranny (auto or manual) and how many miles?"

Read this thread
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=2592&highlight=crankshaft
 
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