Had a first date today at the local FORD distributor to read out DTC's for the first time after i bought the Car one week ago. But before that, i was wondering to see the MIL lamp does not light. So i took of the instrument panel to check if there actually is a lamp attached. As expected, there wasn't a lamp or better to say the lamp was changed to the AWD-on/off slot (has no sense on my 2WD). With the MIL lamp now working in Key-on mode, i took the car for a test drive to see if the MIL turns on with the engine running. Still no MIL! Am i happy to have bought a cheap used car without troubles codes stored at all? No, that's impossible! The next day while on the second test drive the MIL came on, on a hilly road. Now i'm happy to see the system is alive.

With this first and so far only trouble-code stored, i went to the mentioned Garage to see what's up with it. Here's the result from a system printout called IDS (translated from german):
--
P1131 - HO2S11 does not switch and indicates lean mixture

Air leak at exhaust mainfold

This DTC can be caused by:

-Low fuel pressure
-Intake Mainfold leak
-Malfunction in Heater-circuit (HO2SHTR11)

--

On my decision, we made no reset to the PCM yet. First recommendation was to change the upstream Oxygen-Sensor. Would you start with this also?

Greets to you all

Joe

Note: Sensors were never changed before. 97' XLT Aero with 3.0L Vulvan, EDIS equiped.

 

If you are running the original sensor, it's probably a good idea to change it. I think they're supposed to be change every 50,000 miles or so, even though they may actually function for longer. They are pretty cheap on eBay, around $25 US for the Standard Products model.

I bought my 1990 van used with 24,000 miles on it, and it gave out similar codes on my first drive up a long hill. Dealer replaced original EGO sensor under 50,000 mile emissions warranty.

 

@xlt4wd90 - thanks for this superfast reply! It's 2:56 AM in western europe, time to go sleep..

 

Bonjour waterbear

make sure the wires to the front O2 sensor are good and not broken, they hang down and can get damaged. will give same code.

the plug/socket in the O2 sensor wiring is on top of the transmission accessed through the dog house cover on the hump between the 2 front seats.

can touch O2 sensor mount on the exhaust pipe with key on and engine NOT running, should get warm in 1 minute to touch if sensor heater in unit is working and getting 12v batt. voltage from wiring.

 

You also don't want to leave the old sensor in too long, otherwise it can seize in and you are stuck with a more expensive repair.

 

I'll second that. I replaced an O2 sensor on my '93 about 6 months ago. I had an open end wrench on the old one and was giving it enough torque to where I was scared the female threads were going to come with it.
I instead heated the threads up with a torch before the old O2 sensor surrendered and unscrewed easily. I'm hoping the exhaust and sensor will outlast the van.

 

Yeah, if the sensor gives you any trouble coming out, I recommend chasing a 18mm x 1.5 tap to clear out the threads. Put the new sensor in with anti-seize (Bosch sensors come with it).

 

I've never had any trouble removing the EGO sensors using a box end wrench. I forgot the size needed, but it's usually big enough to fit over the connector first, then you slip it over the sensor body. If it's frozen to the bung, a sharp tap with a hammer on the other end of the wrench usually shocks it enough to unfreeze it.

Using an open ended wrench, which only grabs 2 of the 6 surfaces of the body, can strip it, which will make removing it that much more difficult.

 

6 point impact deep socket or 6 point box end work the best
wack the end of the wrench or flex bar with a big plastic shot hammer 5lber works
harbor freight has them cheap price

 

Will a bad O2 Sensor always throw the check engine?

 

I never got lean mixture lelated codes becouse of bad O2 sensor. Blocked fuel pump, bad fuel pump (you may easily replace with any made in EU fuel pump, that fits fuel sender, I prefere Bosch), dirty MAF...

Old O2 sansor is lazy, you get lean mixture O2 sensor reads lean in 5-10 sec.
Lean mixture code is stored every time you run out of fuel. so clear all codes with any OBD-II reader and drive for one errand. if you'll get it back, look at the freeze frame to see condition code goes back.

yeah, O2 sensors are old and lazy, and you can easily get new from local bosch dealer.

BTW, where are you are from?

 

@Pablo-UA

Hi man,

i was born in zurich, switzerland but have escaped over the Rhine river to germany, it's much cheaper to life here and work there!

In switzerland many farmers using Steyr Pinzgauer 6x4, formerly owned by the swiss army, do You know Pinzgauer? Good for rough terrain, snow, mud.. we have annual army-auctions in switzerland but prices are getting higher and higher.

This one You will know for sure:

Cuban art of seightseeing, russian "Tour-Bus"


Tourists on the way into the djungle - without mufflers, just a pipe!


I'm waiting for the parts delivery from US - after arrival the works continue!

Greets to You and the people from the Ukraine! Ask if i can anything do for You.

Joe

 

A few years ago I had a lean code with my 95 Aero. I cleaned the MAF, checked fuel pressure & checked or replaced everything else that could cause a lean condition. I finally replaced the O2 sensor. No more code.

 

Steyr Pinzgauer 6x4 - yeah, good truck. the truck you see on shot is ZIL-131, there were gas version (for oct 93 gas) and diesel version. There are many motorhome trucks were sold from Red Army here, later were converted to CNG ore diesel.

 

oxy sensor may be dirty with oil, ash... and be sure, EEC-V operate well with bosh oxy sensors, just replace.