Aerostar P1131 P0133 codes help

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Sep 16, 2012 | 11:00 PM

Brandon50394

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Aerostar P1131 P0133 codes help

97 ford aerostar 4.0 pulls a code
p1131 o2 sensor bank 1 lean
p0133 oxygen sensor slow responce
if i replace the oxygen sensor should it fix these problems and what side is the sensor on please help need to get vehicle through inspection
How should I fix this problem

Sep 17, 2012 | 04:43 AM

Jose A.

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2003

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From: Florida

there are two O2 sensors in the 4.0 liter 1997, both mounted on the exhaust down-pipes, passenger side, one near the oil filter, one at the end of the 2nd catalytic converter. best way to see the second O2 sensor is from the driver's side.

I would replace the first one only, clear the code, drive it for 20 miles, then recheck the code.

Sep 17, 2012 | 08:41 PM

Muffinman

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2004

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From: Dallas, Texas

Replace that thing ASAP, it kills your gas milage from 25 MPG to 12 MPG. I had one go bad and the car ran fine till I notice the Digital dash milage was way off. I never got an engine light either.

Sep 18, 2012 | 11:13 AM

BAD RONALD

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 411

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From: Proctorsville VT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffinman

Replace that thing ASAP, it kills your gas milage from 25 MPG to 12 MPG. I had one go bad and the car ran fine till I notice the Digital dash milage was way off. I never got an engine light either.

My '95 4.0L is running great at 152,000 miles. Gas mileage was never really better than 17mpg. This is not my daily driver, it's primarily driven by teenagers. Been getting 12 mpg for a while and blaming their driving habits. This thread has me thinking, is there a maintenance (replacement) schedule for O2 sensors?
It's not my custom to tear into a truck that is running good or do wanton part replacement, but I'm interested in feedback on this.

Sep 18, 2012 | 01:03 PM

Jose A.

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 1,460

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From: Florida

replacing the O2 sensor does not ruin a good running engine, unless you install the wrong sensor, then maybe; but assuming the sensors are scheduled to be replaced every 45k miles, or whatever the schedule is, a new O2 sensor should cause better computer response, and that could mean better gas mileage, though I doubt by much.

I remember a trick shown to me by a Jaguar factory-trained mechanic specifically for the O2 sensor in early 1980's Jaguar single-wire 02 sensors made by Bosch;

install a ground strap from the 02 sensor to the chassis. I did it to my 1984 XJ and the improvement was very obvious and inmediate. Idling became steadier, starting became inmediate, and gasoline mileage improved.

does this apply to the Aerostar with 2 or 3 wire sensors? Maybe, because one of the wires in those 2 or 3 wire sensors is a ground. If you can locate the )2 sensor ground wire and shiny-clean its contact areas at the point where it connects to the chassis, it might improve your performance in a few ways.

Sep 18, 2012 | 01:21 PM

96_4wdr

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Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 5,720

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From: Washington state

the later Aeros use a separate ground muliple lead O2 sensor. There is what they term a signal ground back to the PCM from each engine sensor. Ford doesn't rely on electrically noisy chassis ground for small voltage change sensor
PCM signal ground has to be isolated from chassis ground. Never the 2 shall meet

the MAF sensor and the primary O2 sensor are the 2 most common culprits in the 4.0L Ford lowered fuel mileage. Both become contaminated (dirty) slowly so op. doesn't notice a rapid drop off in mpg.
MAF sensor can be cleaned with some success.

Sep 18, 2012 | 01:33 PM