Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Check engine light- strange problem?

I have a 2000 Contour SE w/ 4 cyl. engine (not sure of size). Never had a problem w/ car until now. Car was running fine when parked. Next morning CEL came on at startup however I didn't notice any problem with operation. Before driving however, I checked all of the usual fluid levels as well as the air filter. No problems. Car was idleing fine. When I pulled out of driveway onto hwy, I noticed a very small amount of sluggishness upon accelerating (really not enough to notice if I hadn't been looking for it). Car accelerated upto 55 mph with no problem. No missing, jerking, jumping, etc.At this point I decided to "Punch it" and see what would happen. Car did begin to increase speed but very slowly (not normal. I pulled over, put into park and revved engine up to what I would consider half "wide open". Everything normal but when I revved higher, engine started "Pulsing" almost seemed like gas was getting to engine in surges. At this point engine would not rev any higher, just sat there and pulsed, actually causing the car to rock in time to the pulses.
I am going to get the error code for the CEL tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I have driven the car for three days in this condition. No problem with starting and driving, just strange acceleration. Thanks

well you have a 2.0 zetec engine if its a 4 cyl....did the rpm's get around to 4 thousand, if so that is the fuel cut off so you dont blow your engine....my zetec does the same thing.....get the code read tomorrow and let us know and we will try to help you out.

Yup, that's the fuel cutoff when in park or neutral. It is on all ATX's, 4 or 6 cylinder.

Also known as your rev limiter.

Helps keep yor torque converteer from disintegrating.

Steve

I got the error code causing the CEL to come on. It is P1383
That is "Variable Cam Timing Over-Retarded (bank 1). It appears that this feature serves the purpose of advancing the spark when accelerating and is controlled by a Solenoid operating off of oil pressure?. This would explain why car is sluggish when accelerating. Causes I found when searching were 1.improperly installed timing belt 2. dirty oil 3. bad solenoid.

Does any of the above causes ring a bell?? The local Ford Parts Dept. person could not remember ever having to replace this solenoid, so it must be rare for the solenoid to fail. The timing belt is installed properly (unless it has slipped a tooth, in which case it would run rough all the time.) This leaves "Dirty Oil". I had oil changed today even though not scheduled for several hundred more miles. Problem still there. Might take some time for new oil to penetrate solenoid and un-stick it?

I'm not sure that any of the above is the cause. Any theories or suggestions. (Car has 93,000 miles) Timing belt probably has not been replaced. I got car at 50,000 miles.Thanks.

Code was cleared before oil change. (Came Right Back)However, per the Chilton manual,or something else I read on web(not sure which) this problem will reset itself when cause goes away ?.

I drove the car 20 miles after oil change and acceleration still weak. Im sure 60,000 miles is time to replace belt, just haven't done it. I also have a '97 Ranger w/ 173,000 miles and have never turned a bolt on this engine other than (1) water pump. Guess i'm asking for trouble!

I have access to a scanner. It gives error code and desc. normally but it will only give the code on this error and not the desc. (It says this is a dealer specific problem.) Ford dealer told me what the desc. was and I also found it on web. When I asked about a ballpark cost to fix, he said he had no idea because he couldn't remember ever having this problem brought in before??.

Problem happened overnight, no previous warning at all. One day fine, next morning "CEL" came on at startup and car had weak power accelerating. Engine is not running rough, just weak. If you really punch it, it downshifts or goes into "Passing gear?" or whatever you call it and will accelerate like crazy. When you let off it shifts back into drive and has no power.

If I can locate this solenoid, I'm going to remove it and give it a once over. Chilton manual shows solenoid in wiring diagram but doesn't show actual location on engine.