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95 Zetec ATX Codes

C

CSVT1214

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Nov 1, 2003
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Location
Plainville, CT
My brother's car has been popping up a CEL every once in a while and then goes out usually after letting off the throttle.

I scanned the codes tonight and came up with the following:

117 - ECT sensor is/was low or grounded - ECT
218 - IDM signal open or high or left coil pack failure - Ignition Systems
133 (?) Unknown code. Confirmed it at least 5 times to make sure that I wrote down the code correctly
646 - Transmission 2nd gear failure - Transmissions

Now with the tranny code, I'm not sure if it was a one time code or if the tranny is on its way out. The car has a slow leak from one of the ATX cooling lines and it was leaking faster than I thought and ran too low on fluid. I added fluid and drove it around tonight and it felt fine. I won't know till it sees some more time on the road if it's ok or not.

1995 Mystique Zetec ATX
 
Service the codes in order they appear, sometimes one thing will cause another code in something else. If you fix first thing, second will go away too.
 
I've gotten 133 before, but I deduced it is code 33 for the EGR. But when that code was on in my car, the EGR was fine and it ended up being the MAF sensor failing.

Fix the codes as they appear like amc49 mentioned and reset the computer as you fix each code.
 
Thanks. I'll be replacing the ECT sensor today after work. After searching the old forums last night, I didn't know until then that the ECT is needed to work with the TCC on the ATX tranny. This could explain why it died then worked fine later. It refused to grab any gears when my brother was cruising on the highway.
 
Well, because of the way I read the codes, they came out wrong.

I replaced the ECT, reset the ECU and drove it around again. I got 172 (instead of 117 and 218) which means the other code should have been 181.

These make more sense since it feels like a massive vacuum leak based on how it's running.

172 (R,M) Oxygen sensor not switching - system is or was lean - Single, Right or Rear HO2S
181 (M) Fuel system was lean at part throttle Single, Right or Rear HO2S

Where can I check for a massive vacuum leak on a 95 Zetec? I'm only familiar with the Duratecs vacuum lines.
 
The majority of the vaccuum lines are behind the TB and very easy to get to once you remove the plenum.
 
Replaced the O2 sensor and it didn't change anything. It still idles smooth, but bogs down when you give it gas. It revs smoother, the less you are on the throttle. Too quick or too hard, and it drops and doesn't want to rev.
 
Turned out to be the MAF sensor. After unplugging it, the car revved with no hesitation. I went down to AutoZone, got some cleaner and it drives fine now.
 
CSVT1214 said:
Turned out to be the MAF sensor. After unplugging it, the car revved with no hesitation. I went down to AutoZone, got some cleaner and it drives fine now.
Click to expand...

I wont be so sure. I cleaned my MAF and my car ran perfectly for about 20 miles and it was back to the same problems. I hope it cured your problem, but for me, it was only a temp fix.
 
KerryKool said:
I wont be so sure. I cleaned my MAF and my car ran perfectly for about 20 miles and it was back to the same problems. I hope it cured your problem, but for me, it was only a temp fix.
Click to expand...
Well your car had many more codes, didn't it? Aren't we talking about pretty much just a lean code with this car?
 
Your problem is a bit different than mine was, so it may very well fixed it. I was just throwing my 2 cents in.
 
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