Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Codes

Alright, heres my situation. When I bought my v6 Contour MTX the Check Engine light was on. I took it to my mechanic and I was told that my precats were clogged. I purchased Mil Eliminators to shut off the check engine light and it stayed off for about a day. Now it came back on and is throwing codes PO133 and PO171. Does anybody know how I can get this problem resovled!?! I need to sell my car and so I need to fix it and get the Check Engine light off. I installed the Mils just like the directions said... and I sodered the wires, ect. The PO171 code I believe is entirely unrelated. The PO133 I believe is bank 1 o2 sensor problems.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff

" The PO171 code I believe is entirely unrelated."
Correct. Most probably vacuum leak on Bank 1.

"The PO133 I believe is bank 1 o2 sensor problems."
Yes and not related to Mileliminators too.
P0133 Upstream Bank 1. Milelileminators are for downstreams. You need to change the Upstream Bank 1 O2 sensor.

Thanks Tony. If anyone has any advice on a cheap way to fix it, it would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to put anymore money into my pre 98! I need it all for my SVT! Does anyone know where I can get the o2 sensor for cheaper than at Autozone? Also, how do I fix a vacuum leak?!?! ... do I just need a new gasket?

Thanks guys!

Jeff

To locate leaks, check for hissing sound. In addition, you may have to spray some carb cleaner at gaskets, joints and if the idle changes, then you found your leak.

Also try cleaning the MAF sensor.

http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=36
and
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=989728&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1
and
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/cb/25/0900823d801bcb25.jsp

Per TSB, some reasons for;
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

P0133,
HO2S Sensor Circuit Slow Response (HO2S-11) The HO2S monitor checks the HO2S sensor frequency and amplitude. If during testing, the frequency and amplitude were to fall below a calibrated limit, the code will set.

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

Before getting the O2 sensor, try cleaning the MAF sensor first.

For O2 sensors, try this thread.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=v6maint&Number=1238895&Forum=v6maint&Words=o2%20sensor&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=3months&Main=1237746&Search=true#Post1238895