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Went to Autozone and had a CEL checked out with the codes P0171 and P0174. The employee said that it's probably the MAF sensor and quoted a price of around $105 with a core charge of $45. I thought there was a way to clean the sensor with electronic parts spray. I will be selling the car later this year, but would like to get rid of the CEL.
97 Contour, Duratec, ATX, 214K miles.
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Yes by all means clean the MAF sensor first. Don't remove it from the housing and don't be heavy handed with the cotton swab while cleaning the wire. If cleaning and/or replacing the MAF doesn't work you'll need to look for an intake air leak. When was the last time you checked the PCV hoses or replaced the PCV? When was the last time you replaced the UIM & LIM gaskets?
There's lots of repair info on the P0171 and P0174 DTCs.
96 Contour 2.5L 148K ATX rebuilt 2X
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by ConnContour:
Went to Autozone and had a CEL checked out with the codes P0171 and P0174. The employee said that it's probably the MAF sensor and quoted a price of around $105 with a core charge of $45. I thought there was a way to clean the sensor with electronic parts spray. I will be selling the car later this year, but would like to get rid of the CEL.
97 Contour, Duratec, ATX, 214K miles.
NEVER accept a diagnosis from a person at AUtoZone.....
A P0171 & P0174 code, together, is almost ALWAYS a vacuum leak on a Contour. I wouldn't screw with MAF unless you want to risk messing it up. It happens.
Steve
98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car
89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles
94 SHO ATX - 190K
1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K.
ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
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Originally posted by projectSHO89:
....NEVER accept a diagnosis from a person at AUtoZone.....
Steve
Steve, while I usually agree with that statement, in this case, they may might be on to something. The TSB does state that P0171 and P0174 could be due to MAF contamination. I would not rule that out yet. Yes, while P0171 and P0174 codes (when together) are usually indicative of a massive vacuum leak (broken hose, etc.), it is possible for it to be a MAF issue.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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I cleaned my MAF sensor a few times over the years. First time was due to over oiling my K & N filter. I replaced the screws with ones I can remove with my security torx driver. 
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Thanx for the advice. Since I'm the original owner, I've never had any work done on the MAF. Living in the desert, there sure is a lot of dust flying around and it's quite possible that the MAF is the culprit. Since I will be getting a new car in a few months, I would like to sell it to someone with a clean bill of health. 
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Originally posted by Tony2005:
Originally posted by projectSHO89:
....NEVER accept a diagnosis from a person at AUtoZone.....
Steve
Steve, while I usually agree with that statement, ....
Which one, the reference to AutoZone or the cause of the code combo?
I did leave open the possibility that the combo was due to something other than a vacuum leak by qualifying my assessment with "almost always".
However, given the breadth of this forum's experience, the odds are overwelmingly in favor of a vacuum leak causing this issue.
I didn't bother qualifying my AutoZone reference, perhaps I should have provided my often-used disclaimer that allowed for moonlighting or recently retired mechanics.
Yeah, I have the set of TSBs, also....
Steve
98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car
89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles
94 SHO ATX - 190K
1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K.
ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
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Originally posted by projectSHO89:
Which one, the reference to AutoZone or the cause of the code combo?
...
Steve
The statement "NEVER accept a diagnosis from a person at AUtoZone". As I stated, in this case, their diagnosis might be correct.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Originally posted by Tony2005:
Originally posted by projectSHO89:
Which one, the reference to AutoZone or the cause of the code combo?
...
Steve
The statement "NEVER accept a diagnosis from a person at AUtoZone". As I stated, in this case, their diagnosis might be correct.
Given the number of blown diagnoses I see reported on this and several other boards, I choose to:
1) Stand by my previous assessment
and
2) Reaffirm it.
Steve
98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car
89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles
94 SHO ATX - 190K
1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K.
ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
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