Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting check engine light

my check engine light came on last night and i have no idea why. my svt contour has only 43000 miles. is the problem because i have never gaven it a tuneup or could it be something else. if anyone else has ever had this problem or knows what it is please respond asap.

thanks,
ryan

A check engine light can be caused by HUNDREDS of different things. You will need to get the code read before anyone can diagnose the problem.

Click on this link to read an article for further information on check engine lights (CELs).

Ryan,

Do you have an Advance Auto Parts or Autozone in your town? If you do, take it there; they can pull those codes for you for free, and you can reference G Pappas link for the OBDII codes. When you get the code, post it here and we should be able to point you in the right direction.

Welcome to the CEG!

Hey ryan, RYNN has a good point....u should take it to advance auto or a autozone....they will do it for free....we dont do it for free and than you can go from there.....if you want give me a call....810-335-4454...

Every 6 months I get a CEL for a couple days. It goes away usually after I go through a tank of gas. I wouldn't worry if you don't notice anything unusual, you could clear the computer to see if it comes back. Last time I had a CEL, I was going to reset the computer that day, but then the CEL went out heh .

Indeed, the engine light can mean a number of things. However, it seems a very common problem with Ford is the EGR system and it can make your engine light come on. The EGR system has become very complicated. Besides the ERG valve itself, there is a differential pressure monitor that decides if enough air is flowing through the valve. There are also solenoids for opening and closing the valve. What all this is intended to do is to monitor the health of the EGR system and it can be a pain in the ass. The best way I know to keep this from happening is to use a good fuel injector cleaner regularly. I can recommend Red Line. For about $5 a bottle you can treat 100 gallons of gas. Using synthetic oil can help too. Keeping the formation of petroleum based combustion by products down to a minimum is the idea behind using these products. As for reading the codes, get a code reader and do your own testing. OBDII testers are supposed to work on most cars nowadays, so it would be a good investment. If you do test your own car, remember to warm the car up first. After warming do both the key on, engine off test and the key on, engine on test. Two different tests! Record the codes, if any, and look up the codes in the tables. Testers usually come with code look up tables. Hope this helps.

P0171 System Too Lean - Bank No. 1.
What does the Bank No1 stand for?

Just my $0.02:

Yes, CEL can be dozens of things -- most common seem to be emissions control (EGR plus) and O-2 sensors, though ill-fitting/not tightened correctly gas cap can cause one. Follow advice on getting free check, then you "pays your dime & takes your choice" on how much to do. If it is either EGR-related or O-2, my personal recommendation is go ahead and do all. Both O2 sensors, or all the essentials for the complex EGR: EGR, EVR, PFE, IAC and while at it, PCV. From what I've seen on posts and from prior experience working @ a dealership, in the long run, you're better off doing the whole thing, rather than piece-meal. If you're not doing your own labor, it's going to add & add to keep going back. If you are, the frustration factor of putting on one piece at a time can drive you nuts when the CEL comes back on 150 miles (or fewer) later. Just did the "EGR system", and the difference in response is amazing -- the ECU tries to make adjustments for the codes being thrown to keep engine "clean" for the EPA (or so I understand.)

Mike

OOPS! Posted your code about same time as I responded.

Bank 1 = rear, Bank 2 = front

Sorry if this sounds stupid but what do you mean by front and rear?