98 windstar bucking and rough idle

[baruche]

my frod windstar worked relatively problem free untill 107,000 km. i had a tune up done, specifically plugs, wires, pvc, air filter and fuel line filter replacements. the throttle body was brushed clean with triple c cleaner. now the engine bucks whenever accellerating or driving uphill and idle is
not steady. i had frod do the diagnostic testing and they said the cel is
on for a cam position sensor code, they further recommended replacing
the dpfe sensor. i declined the sensor replacement and disconnected the dpfe connector and now the 3.8 l. runs like new. the gas mileage is also improved. i'm wondering how relevant is the operation of this sensor ?

[DRW1000]

The DPFE sensor provides feedback to the PCM about the EGR flow into the engine.

Did you disconnect the Hoses or the Electrical connector?

You will probably have an emissions issue and a higher than normal temperature in the combustion chamber without the DPFE and the CEL light.

Did you replace the Cam Sensor?

You could have clogged EGR ports, inoperative EGR system or a bad DPFE. I recommend a Haynes manual. They have tests for the DPFE.

What year is the vehicle

[baruche]

the windstar is 1998 model and the camshaft position sensor was replaced. i've purchased a haynes manual and will test the dpfe sensor as the proceedure explained..thanks.

[DRW1000]

Keep us posted. Mine is a 99 but I recently diagnosed my DPFE and I am a self-proclaimed guru on the DPFE (well sort of anyway)

good luck

[dougA]

I too have a 98 windstar with 3.8L that is beginning to buck like crazy, CEL light indicates CPS and trac/off light blinks when bucking. I have replaced from the zone three CPS and problem is actually worse with the new than with the old.. I'm going to follow with the DPFE sensor and see what happens. Where is it?

[dougA]

Here's an update. I disconnected the DPFE and it runs great... I disconnected first the electrical lead ran great, I than reconnected the electical lead and removed both exhaust lines ( rubber ones) bucking continued... switched, ran good, well ok.... so I replaced the CPS with the new one that I still had..... not sure if that really did anything... It still wines (not loud but more than it should) and it still shifts a little hard but liveable.... any suggestions from anyone on the shifting would be apreciated... I am going to attempt to find documentation on the DPFE test but until than I'll leave it unplugged.

[baruche]

after testing the dpfe sensor as the haynes manual recommended, the vref was good at 5.0 vdc however the signal voltage was steady at 1.0 vdc regardless of engine rpm or hot/cold temperature, i broke down and spent 125 bucks canadian on a new dpfe sensor for the 3.8 litre windstar..i can't believe how well my 1998 windstar runs now. i know it's a ford but i won't be trading it in soon.. well maybe i'll get a good trade in allowance.

[kitch]

I have tried everything to figure out why the 3.8L in my 98 Windstar is missing on 2 cylinders. I checked the compression 110psi in all three front cylinders. I changed the wire on the working cylinder to the other cylinder that was not working. Yes I did change it on the coil pack too. That did not make a difference. I also change the spark plugs around to see if that was the problem, it wasn't. While the engine is running I took each plug wire off one at a time 5 & 6 clinders did not affect it but number 4 did. Does anyone have any sugestions.

Thanks

Kitch