I have a 97 SOHC Explorer with 125k. Recently the check engine light came on and code P0141 came up. I've been looking in past threads and noticed this was a common problem. One person even mentioned changing the sensor which causes this error code. Is there a how to section that explains exactly where the sensor is? I tried looking but wasn't able to find it. Also, can any damage be done to the vehicle if this sensor (if that is the problem) is not changed right away?

Background: I had the truck service a couple of weeks ago and they checked the code. Then cleared it thinking that a fuel injection cleaner would do the trick. About a month later (today) the error came back up again surprising when I had about maybe 1/8 tank of gas which was about the same level when I saw the error code for the first time. Could that have anything to do with it. Any help would be apprechiated. Thanks.

 

Hey, I had the same problem on my 2000 and everybody said that it was the O2 sensors. Replace all 4 at a couple of hundred $$ and that still wasn't it! You have lean with high flow demand. Which is that the intake gaskets are leaking. It is not a bad job to pull off the intake and replace the I think they we $16.00 rubber gaskets. It should take you about 1 1/2 hours. If you want to change the O2s 3 of them are pretty easy and the one on the passagerside is a nice one to get out if you know what I mean!
Z-ya
Bob

 

Hey Bob,
Thanks for your comments.
Are you talking about an air intake gasket?

 

If you pull off the air plinum you will see the gaskets one on both sides for the air intake to the cylinders.

 

Thanks for the info Bob. I change my air filter a couple of weeks ago and noticed that the gasket located between the assembly and the air box was looking bad. I'll take a second look this weekend and try to get that replaced. You mentioned there was another gasket further up the assembly...I'll take a look there and see what condition that gasket is in as well. By the way did the error ever come back after you replaced the gasket? Thanks again for the info...I was about to buy a sensor...but now I know there is a possibility that problem is further up-stream and that the sensor is picking up the problem.

 

ford97sohc,

I just went thru this same problem on my SOHC. I have a '97 also with 99k on it. (I cleared the code everytime i changed something so I could get an idea of what worked).

Here's what i did:

Replaced plug wires with no change. CEL came back on after short period of time.

Replaced thermostat and CEL came back on but it took longer to do so. I noticed that the running temp on the gage was lower than usual. After replacing the t-stat. the change on the gage was an increase of only about 1/8 of the total range of the gage, but since it took longer for the CEL to come back on, i figured i was understanding the problem correctly.

Replaced both forward O2 sensors and CEL has not come back on for a few weeks and 2-3 tanks of gas. So far so good.

I went with the idea that if i could clean up the combustion process in the cylinder (as others have mentioned), the cat would have to work less and not exceed its cleaning capabilities, therefore no code.

Changing the sensors was interesting. If you want, i can let you know how i did it, but i'm thinking there must be a better way. Someone in the group will probably have more knowledge on this.

Dukster

 

Dukster,

Thanks for the notes. I was about to take the vehicle to the dealer, but can you forward me those instructions for chaning the sensors I'm hoping that all that needs to be done...apprechiated.

 

Ok,

First, i think i mis-read your code. My code was for 'cat below efficiency level bank 1'. I think yours is different, so be sure that changing your sensors is the right thing to do.

Sensor change process:

I could not get to either connector on the current sensors as they are between the firewall and the intake manifold. Dont know if someone has a trick to get to them, but i couldnt.

So, the sensors i purchased (i think they refered to them as 'universal') had a seperate aftermarket kit connector instead of the OEM connector already on the wire harness. These sensors were made by Bosch.


Changing the drivers side sensor. This one was fairly easy, didnt even jack up the exp. The wire harness coming from the sensor has 4 wires. 2 white and 1 black and 1 grey. Having 2 white wires, didnt want to reverse them (dont know if it matters) so I wrapped some electrical tape around one of them to identify it. Looking at the end of the new sensor i put one white wire at 12 o'clock and the black at 9:00 making the grey 3:00. Easy to remember, black has an 'l' for left and grey has 'r' for right. Back under the truck i snipped the corresponding 12:00 wire first, Identified it with the elec tape, then cut the rest. All wires were snipped right at the old sensor giving me the most wire to work with.

Using a sensor socket, take out the old sensor. Thought it might be really rusted in, but actually came out pretty easy.

Installed the new sensor into the exhaust pipe and then connected the wires using the after market connector that came with the sensor making sure the correct white wires went together. Dont cut the new sensor wires shorter.

Theres a big wire loop to hold the wires up out of the way from the exhaust pipe. I used that loop to hold the extra wire to keep it away from the hot pipe. Make sure the outer heat shield sheath is down around the wire close to the pipe.

The passenger side is a little more difficult but still 'do-able'. Remove the front tire and pull away the rubber cover. Make sure you use safety stands not just the jack to support the truck. Block the tires....... etc. etc.

Go thru the same process as you did the driver side. Identify the 12:00 white wire and start dissassemby.

Good luck.

 

Does anyone know of any ways to rule out changing the O2 sensor. This past weekend I located the sensor so I know where it is - I'd just like to make sure changing the sensor was the actual cause (I would hate to trow parts at the vehicle). In the likelyhood I'm not able to determine the cause of the code - will probably have to take it to the dealer.

 

Wanted to give an update. Two issues caused the P0141 Code to come up. First one of my catalytic converters was badly damaged (which needed to be replaced) which eventually caused problem number two; O2 Sensor failure (which also needed to be replaced). Needless to say it became an expense lesson.