Please Help 99 Windstar 3.8
killjoy1122
02-26-2006, 07:48 AM
hello there i have a 99 windstar and it has the 3.8 moter and a mind boogleing problem.:eek: it started to have a whinning noise up front by the pullies and then it wanted to die (idleing or driving). ck engine light came on so took it to autozone and got some codes about the MAF sensor the Cam shaft positioning sensor a ox sensor and the 1st and 2nd bank running lean. so i bought a cam positiong senon had that put on, and a new idler pully put on then i installed my MAF sensor ( which everybody i talked to said when the MAF is bad it can cause other things to read bad?) anyway after changing MAF i startes the van and went around block again started running rough. took it to garage they had it for 3 days and they could not duplicate the problem it was runnin awsome eo i picked it up 2-23-06 drove it for 100 miles ( 2 days) ran awsome (it was both stop and go traffic and long stretch.) got in it saturday morning and yes its back the gremlin now when i start i have to give gas constantly to keep running will not idle ( already cleaned IAC). i dont want to keep droppong money on nonfixe please help me if you can.:banghead:
12Ounce
02-26-2006, 08:00 AM
What are the current alpha-numeric codes? Available for free at AutoZone.
wiswind
02-26-2006, 09:08 AM
I would have the codes read again to see what is happening now, after the repairs.
You will need to ask them for the actual numeric code, as that will help you to know what the problem is. Most people don't understand the code, so they will not give it to you unless you ask.
Write down the code, and then do a search in this forum on that code.
Pay attention to the same code on the '98 and older windstars, they made major changes in '99, so the TSB for upper intake manifold bolts and seals does NOT apply to pre-1999 as we have a different intake.
Codes P0171 and P0174 are lean codes (bank 1 and bank 2) that they often try to sell you oxygen sensors for. The oxygen sensors very rarely, if ever, cause these codes on the windstar. It is almost always a vaccum leak.
Sounds simple, but a vaccum leak, is not simple to find. Almost always simple to fix once you find it though.
For vaccum leak, make sure that all your vaccum lines are OK.
Start with the Vaccum line that connects with an elbow to the TOP of the upper intake manifold....next to the throttle body. Look for cracks on the inside of that elbow. Then follow that vaccum line behind the upper intake manifold......all the way to the PCV valve, which is mounted into the rear valve cover. Verify that all the lines and connections are intact, lines not melted, or broken. There are a lot of things that connect to this vaccum line. Verify that the PCV valve is firmly connected to the vaccum line, and that the PCV valve is firmly seated into the valve cover.
If you buy a new PCV valve, I would go to the trouble of getting a Motorcraft brand. If the grommet that the PCV valve seats into is no longer holding firmly, you can also buy a new grommet.
Another thing to check is the line that goes from the breather on the FRONT valve cover, to the flexible hose that goes from the MAF/air filter to the throttle body. Is easy for this to be overlooked or knocked loose.
Also, make sure that the flex hose that I mentioned, from the throttle body to the MAF is properly connected at both ends.
These things cover the most common sources for vaccum leaks on the 98 and older windstar.
You will need to ask them for the actual numeric code, as that will help you to know what the problem is. Most people don't understand the code, so they will not give it to you unless you ask.
Write down the code, and then do a search in this forum on that code.
Pay attention to the same code on the '98 and older windstars, they made major changes in '99, so the TSB for upper intake manifold bolts and seals does NOT apply to pre-1999 as we have a different intake.
Codes P0171 and P0174 are lean codes (bank 1 and bank 2) that they often try to sell you oxygen sensors for. The oxygen sensors very rarely, if ever, cause these codes on the windstar. It is almost always a vaccum leak.
Sounds simple, but a vaccum leak, is not simple to find. Almost always simple to fix once you find it though.
For vaccum leak, make sure that all your vaccum lines are OK.
Start with the Vaccum line that connects with an elbow to the TOP of the upper intake manifold....next to the throttle body. Look for cracks on the inside of that elbow. Then follow that vaccum line behind the upper intake manifold......all the way to the PCV valve, which is mounted into the rear valve cover. Verify that all the lines and connections are intact, lines not melted, or broken. There are a lot of things that connect to this vaccum line. Verify that the PCV valve is firmly connected to the vaccum line, and that the PCV valve is firmly seated into the valve cover.
If you buy a new PCV valve, I would go to the trouble of getting a Motorcraft brand. If the grommet that the PCV valve seats into is no longer holding firmly, you can also buy a new grommet.
Another thing to check is the line that goes from the breather on the FRONT valve cover, to the flexible hose that goes from the MAF/air filter to the throttle body. Is easy for this to be overlooked or knocked loose.
Also, make sure that the flex hose that I mentioned, from the throttle body to the MAF is properly connected at both ends.
These things cover the most common sources for vaccum leaks on the 98 and older windstar.
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