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#1401706 10/03/05 11:23 PM
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ethan Offline OP
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hi, i'm very new and i'm glad this forum exists. i have a 1998 ford contour GL zetec whose check engine light has been on for the last 3 months but has been running the same. i just got a job at a place that includes a garage and decided to hook it up to the diagnostic tool, which gave me code 171 (system too lean bank one). the guy in the garage immediately declared the problem to be the fuel filter, which he then replaced for free. codes reset and the CEL stayed off for about 24 hours before returning with the same code. i looked around online and read up on the MAF issue, which seemed to be another issue related to this code. i found, somewhere on this forum, directions for MAF cleaning with soft pipe cleaners and pure alcohol.

here is where my problem gets somewhat "unique"

i disconnect the air filter and clean the MAF sensor. i then reassemble everything and drive the car around the block to see what happens. it stalls and stalls, which has never happened to this car before (and it's an automatic). i don't know why this could be, so i just assume i destroyed part of the sensor. i call Advance for a new sensor which runs me $75 and i install it. there is no change in the car's behavior. at first it stalled whenever i would rev the engine and let the rpms drop back down. now after it has been sitting for a day, i take it out and it only seems to stall when i am coasting in 2nd or 3rd gear, not 1st or reverse.

my car cost $4000 originally and in the (almost) two years i have owned it i have dropped over $7000 into it to keep it running. i really would like to keep this car but in order for that to happen it has to stop robbing me.

i would like to know if any of you have any suggestions as to why the replacement of the MAF sensor would cause the vehicle to stall like this. any help would be greatly appreciated.

ethan

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Welcome aboard.
MAF didn't help because you probably have a vacum leak.

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1996 2.5LT V6 Contour ATX My Tour+help/info pics E0 rims, Gutted Pre-Cats,CTA Custom Exhaust & Intake, Diablo Chip.
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Welcome.


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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ethan Offline OP
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thank you for your help. last night i got into the car and checked everything that i had messed with while installing the new MAF and all the connections appear to be secure from one end of the accordian hose to the other. i assumed since the stalling problem began after i disconnected the air filter and cleaned the MAF, perhaps i didn't put everything back together just so. so if it is an issue of a vaccuum leak, i'll have to bite the bullet and have the garage fix it. at any rate, i brought my old MAF sensor core down to Advance for my $50 back, and while i was there i had them hook up the old "gameboy" . it read off code 171, as usual, but this time it was accompanied by code 133, which relates to an o2 sensor. i was told where the MAF sensor was and that's how i came to mess with it, but i have virtually no under-hood experience and i don't know where either of the o2 sensors are located. is it possible i could have damaged one while working with the air hose?

once again, thank you for your help. i love my contour, even if she'll never love me back.

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Originally posted by ethan:
...it read off code 171, as usual, but this time it was accompanied by code 133, which relates to an o2 sensor. i was told where the MAF sensor was and that's how i came to mess with it, but i have virtually no under-hood experience and i don't know where either of the o2 sensors are located. is it possible i could have damaged one while working with the air hose?
...



0133 is also related to MAF for the I4 Zetec 2.0


Per TSB,
Electrical:
�· Shorted/open wiring
�· PCM
Induction System:
�· MAF sensor (On 4-cylinder engines, if P0133 is present, this could be caused by a MAF issue - on 6- and 8-cylinder engines, this could only be a MAF issue if P0133 and P0153 are both present)
�· Inlet air leaks (unmetered air)
Fuel Concerns:
�· Poor fuel quality
Base Engine:
�· Exhaust leaks (upstream or near HO2S)
HO2S Concerns:
�· Contaminated HO2S sensor (contamination from the use of silicone-based cleaners and sealants, leaded fuel, excessive oil consumption, etc.)
�· Deteriorating HO2S sensor


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Oh and I forgot to mention, now that the MAF is clean and everything, you need to clear the codes. Pull fuses 4 and 11 from the Fuse box next to the battery for about 1 minute or so. If the CEL comes back again, then post again. If it doesn't, you should be good to go.


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles

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