Otherwise, have to find a cheaper place to fix it. Thanks for any information.

Depends on what mods you may have done to the car and what is causing the CEL.

No mods; don't the cause. Did go to a shop down the street and cost me $69 to scan the code. They did not read a code. The light has been on for a while, didn't notice any difference. Gas milage is normal. Thanks.

Someone please explain what is under the ESP and what is not. Have to decide whether send it to the dealer or look for a cheaper alternative. Thanks a lot!

FOR A CEL THAT STAYS ON REPLACE THE GAS CAP.

That is a plain stupid statement. Sorry to be harsh but I had to say it.
A CEL can stay on for a 1000 reasons, not just because of a bloody gas-cap. For example, mine stayed on for a EGR pressure meter that went out. So changing the gas cap would be a waste of money.
Don't make statements like thgat unless you know what you are talking about.

If you get a CEL, go to Murray's, Pep Boys or Autozone and rent a OBDII code reader. You may have to lay down $150 on you credit card but when you return it you get 100% of your money back. Doing this will ensure you get the code for the CEL and not guessing/pulling something out of you kaka hole!
:rolleyes:

First thank all of you for all the responses.

I have a mechanics tried reading the code again and we got 'P1381'. Referring to a service bulletin (Article No. 00-3-7), he suggested I go to a Ford dealer and he said they should correct it for free, which I doubt.

By the way, I have the 'Extra' ESP (next only to 'Premium'). I am so disappointed to find that all three of the parts that were assumed to be malfunction (VCT Solenoid, VCT Sprocket, Sprocket Bolt) were not listed under the ESP. So here goes the old question:

Will Ford correct this for free? Any input is gratefully appreciated.

1381 cam timing advance is excessive. definitely not related to the gas cap
we need to ask Big Jim about that, but the logic suggest that it should be covered by the powertain warranty. fwiw

Thank you alex_96GL. I am new here, so who is Big Jim? So are you saying since it should be covered by the 'Powertrain', then it should definitely covered by the 'Extra', which I have? Ho, now comes the bigger question, can I still drive this car? Is it a life threatening problem? Opps, I have driven 3K or 4K miles with the CEL. Thanks again!

This is one of the posts I digged out from old CEG archive regarding the 'P1381'.



What's your opinion? Thanks for any input!!!

There is no short cut to determine if it is covered by your ESP plan. The failed part must be identified and then the part number checked against a list. Until you do that it is all speculation. If you have already checked to see what the most likely things would be that would set that code and they are not covered then you have really done all you can until the actual part is fully identified. I'm sorry that I can't be of more help.

The mechanics showed me the TSB Article No. 00-3-7 on this code. So what they will do first is try the engine flush, then replace the VCT solenoid, VCT sprocket and sprocket bolt. I wonder if this is included in the (ExtraCare) ESP as alex_96GL suggested but not sure.

Or, to rephrase the question under current circumstances, do I have to go to a Ford dealer for 'engine flush'? Thank you very much.

hey, I merely suggested that it would be logical to have it covered...

after Jim's post I think we should know better than trust logic when dealing with Ford.

good luck, man, you gonna need it

I just ran a check on 'check engine' in this forum and it showed up that in average, one new post per day. This is simply outrageous. Remember the California recall on Ford starter? We did not even see much starter problems yet. If we gether together, and write to the D.O.T., or find a good lawyer, we may be able to have Ford recall all Contours on the emission system. If you think you are lucky on the CEL, the theory is that you'll have it on tomorrow. That happened on me.