OBDII "P" Codes and What They Mean

[wiswind]

The Following is a list of Generic "P" codes for the OBDII system on all years of Ford Windstar including 1995.
If you get a "P" code that I have not listed, please send me a PM.

P0102 Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor circuit low input
P0103 MAF sensor circuit high input
MAF is located next to the air filter....the flex hose from the throttle body connects to it.
It has an electrical connection also...with several wires, inspect the wires and connection.
This sensor can be cleaned by spraying with a non-residue electronic cleaner.
I have pictures on how to do this in the pictures that the link in my signature will take you to.

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P0112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor circuit low input
P0113 IAT sensor circuit high input
IAT is located in the flex hose that goes from the throttle body to the air filter/MAF. It has the only electrical connection on the flex hose.
This sensor can also be cleaned by spraying with a non-residue electronic cleaner.

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P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit low input
P0118 ECT sensor circuit high input
There are 2 engine coolant sensors, this is the one for the PCM and is located
in the lower intake manifold, just over where the heater hose comes out.
The one over the thermostat is for the temperature gauge in the dashboard and is NOT connected to the PCM.

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P0121 In-Range operating Throttle Position (TP) sensor circuit failure
P0122 TP sensor circuit low input
P0123 TP sensor circuit hight input
TP sensor is located on the throttle body, on the accelerator shaft.

P0125 Coolant temperature too low to enter closed loop fuel control


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This group of codes indicate a problem with the indicated oxygen sensor circuit.
Check the wiring as well as the sensor.

P0131 Upstream Oxygen sensor Bank 1 (rear bank) (before catalytic converter) circuit out of range low voltage
P0133 Upstream Oxygen sensor bank 1 circuit slow response
P0135 Upstream Oxygen sensor bank 1 HEATER circuit malfunction
Upstream sensors used by PCM for fuel control


P0136 Downstream Oxygen sensor bank 1 (rear bank) (after catalytic converter) circuit malfunction
P0141 Downstream Oxygen sensor bank 1 HEATER circuit malfunction
Downstream sensors monitor the catalytic converter operation

P0151 Upstream Oxygen sensor bank 2 (front bank) (before catalytic converter) out of range low voltage
P0153 Upstream Oxygen sensor bank 2 circuit slow response
P0155 Upstream Oxygen sensor bank 2 HEATER circuit malfunction
Upstream sensors used by PCM for fuel control

P0156 Downstream Oxygen sensor bank 2 (front bank) (after catalytic conveter) circuit malfunction
P0161 Downstream Oxygen sensor bank 2 HEATER circuit malfuntion
Downstream sensors monitor the catalyic converter operation

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This group of codes indicate a condition that the indicated oxygen sensor is reporting.
These codes are almost NEVER caused by a defective oxygen sensor or sensor circuit.

P0171 Oxygen sensor reporting too lean condition on bank 1 (rear bank)
P0172 Oxygen sensor reporting too rich condition on bank 1

P0174 Oxygen sensor reporting too lean condition on bank 2 (front bank)
P0175 Oxygen sensor reporting too rich condition on bank 2

Lean codes almost always are a result of a vaccum leak (all years and engines).
1999 3.8L and newer windstars refer to sticky post on P0171 / P0174, this TSB does NOT apply to 1998 and older or 3.0L engine.
Lean codes can also be a result of clogged fuel injector(s) or fuel delivery issue.
Rich codes can be caused by a leaking fuel injector or misfire due to no spark to one or more cylinders
Lean and rich codes can be caused by MAF issues (try cleaning)

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P0182 Fuel Temperature sensor A circuit low input
P0183 Fuel Temperature sensor A circuit high input
P0187 Fuel Temperature sensor B circuit low input
P0188 Fuel Temperature sensor B circuit high input
My '96 does not have fuel temperature sensors

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P0300 Random cylinder misfire detected that PCM cannot narrow down to a specific cylinder
P0301 Misfire on cylinder 1 (rear bank passenger side) (often caused by clogged EGR ports
P0302 Misfire on cylinder 2 (rear bank middle)
P0303 Misfire on cylinder 3 (rear bank driver's side)
P0304 Misfire on cylinder 4 (front bank passenger side (often caused by clogged EGR ports)
P0305 Misfire on cylinder 5 (front bank middle)
P0306 Misfire on cylinder 6 (front bank driver's side)
Misfire can be caused by a spark issue, spark plug, spark plug wire, coil pack. or by a dirty fuel injector (very common), or nonfunctioning fuel injector
CEL will flash when misfire is happening indicating possible condition that can harm the catalytic converter(s) because if caused by no spark, raw fuel can be entering the catalytic converter.
Do a search on your P030x code for more information.

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P0325 Knock sensor 1 circuit malfunction
P0326 Knock Sensor 1 circuit performance

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P0340 Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor circuit malfuntion
This sensor is located on the passenger side of engine, down in near the fuel pressure regulator.
This is all that is left of the former distributor.
While the spark plug wires no longer go here, due to the fact that the PCM provides pulses to the coil pack directly, this unit is still used to help the PCM determine engine timing.
The sensor is a pickup unit that is held in place by 2 small bolts, and has an electrical connector.
The sensor is easy to change, but only remove the 2 small bolts on top of the sensor and the electrical connector.
IF gear replacement must be done, refer to a service manual and be very careful as it is very difficult to restore the correct position of the gear if the correct position is lost.
Do a search on camshaft sensor for more information.

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P0350 Ignition Coil primary circuit malfunction
P0351 Ignition Coil A primary circuit malfunction
P0352 Ignition Coil B primary circuit malfunction
P0353 Ignition Coil C primary circuit malfunction
All 3 coils are molded together in epoxy in 1 unit.
Each coil fires 2 spark plugs, 1 on each end of the secondary coil of each coil.

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P0385 Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor malfunction


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P0400 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) flow malfunction
P0401 EGR flow lower than expected (DPFE and clogged EGR ports are most common cause)
P0402 EGR flow higher than expected (DPFE common cause)

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P0420 Downstream Oxygen sensor reporting low catalyst efficiency on Bank 1 (Rear Bank)
P0430 Downstream Oxygen sensor reporting low catalyst efficiency on Bank 2 (Front Bank)
These codes are an indication that the catalytic converter indicated is not working properly.
The 2 catalytic converters are part of the "Y" pipe....a single assembly.

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P0442 Evaporative emission control system small leak detected
P0443 Evaporative emission control system purge control solenoid/ vapor managemen valve circuit malfunction
P0446 Evaporative emission control system Canister Vent (CV) solenoid control malfunction
P0452 Evaporative emission control system Fuel Tank Pressure (FTP) sensor low input
P0453 Evaporative emission control system Fuel Tank Pressure (FTP) sensor high input
P0455 Evaporative emission control system gross leak detected

Evaporative emission system canister is located under the vehicle, in front of the driver's side rear tire....inside the unibody frame member....right next to the fuel filter.

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P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) malfunction
P0503 VSS intermittent
VSS is located on the back side of the transaxle....middle....above one of the catalytic convertors.....has a heat shield over it.
Speedometer cable goes to there also.
Best to get a new nylon gear with the sensor.
Do a search on VSS or speed sensor for more information

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P0505 Idle Air Control (IAC) system malfunction
This unit is mounted on the throttle body, has an electrical connection,
held in place by 2 small bolts, can be cleaned by spraying a penetrating oil in to flush out dirt that may be in the threads of the screw drive.

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P0603 PCM Keep Alive Memory (KAM) test error
P0605 PCM Read Only Memory (ROM) test error

P0703 Brake On OFF (BOO) switch input malfunction

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P0705 Transmission Range Sensor (TR) Circuit Malfunction
P0707 Transmission Range Sensor (TR) circuit low input
P0708 TR circuit high input
The TR is also called Neutral Safety switch, and is located on TOP of the transaxle.
The cable from the gear select lever connects to it, and it tells the PCM what gear has been selected.
The PCM then controls the transmission.
This is a high failure item, and can cause the transmission to not shift above 2nd gear.
Do a search on Range sensor for more information.

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P0712 Transmission Fuid Temperature (TFT) sensor low input
P0713 TFT sensor high input
TFT is located inside the transmission assembly, the PCM uses this to help compensate for cold and hot conditions in determining shift points

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P0715 Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) sensor circuit malfunction

P0720 TSS sensor circut malfunction
P0721 TSS sensor performance (noise)

TSS is called OSS (Output Shaft Sensor) on some other FORD transmissions.....same sensor.
This sensor measures the speed of the shaft that comes out of the Torque Converter, and
goes INTO the gearing.....so this is the speed going INTO the gears.....

This is NOT the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS), which measures the speed coming OUT of the
gears......which is how fast the vehicle is going.

This sensor is on the driver's side of the transmission case.
When you remove the driver's side tire, look in where the drive shaft enters the transmission.
The TSS is located on the case, at about the 11:00 position.
It is held in place by 1 bolt.
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P0731 Incorrect ratio for 1st gear
P0732 Incorrect ratio for 2nd gear
P0733 Incorrect ratio for 3rd gear
P0734 Incorrect ratio for 4th gear
P0736 Incorrect ratio for REVERSE

P0741 Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Mechanical system performance
P0743 TCC electrical system performance

P0746 Electronic Pressure Control (EPC) solenoid performance

P0750 Shift Solenoid 1 (SS1) circuit malfunction
P0751 SS1 performance

P0755 Shift Solenoid 2 (SS2) circuit malfunction
P0756 SS2 performance

P0760 Shift Solenoid 3 (SS3) circuit malfunction
P0761 SS3 Performance

P0781 1 to 2 shift error
P0782 2 to 3 shift error
P0783 3 to 4 shift error
P0784 4 to 5 shift error

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P1000 OBDII monitor testing not complete (common if codes have been cleared recently and system has not gone through enough cycles to complete the tests)

P1001 Key ON Engine Running (KOER) self test not able to complete and was aborted

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P1100 Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor intermittent
P1101 MAF sensor out of self test range

P1112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor intermittent

P1116 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor out of self test range
P1117 ECT sensor out of self test range

P1120 Throttle Position (TP) sensor out of range, too low
P1121 TP sensor inconsistant with MAF sensor reading
P1124 TP sensor out of self test range
P1125 TP sensor intermittent


P1128 Upstream oxygen sensor wires have been switched between banks
P1129 Downstream oxygen sensor wires have been switched between banks

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The following codes indicate that the oxygen sensor is not switching between the lean and rich readings as is normal during operation.

P1130 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 (rear bank, before catalytic converter) no switch and fuel trim is at limit
P1131 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 is staying lean
P1132 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 is staying rich

P1137 Downstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 (rear bank after catalytic converter) staying lean
P1138 Downstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 staying rich

P1150 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 2 (front bank before catalytic converter) not switching and fuel trim is at limit
P1151 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 2 is staying lean
P1152 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 2 is staying rich

P1157 Downstream oxygen sensor for bank 2 (front bank after catalytic converter) is staying lean
P1158 Downstream oxygen sensor for bank 2 is staying rich

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P1359 Spark output circuit malfunction

P1390 Octane Adjust out of self test range

P1400 Differential Pressure FEedback (DPFE) sensor circuit low voltage
P1401 DPFE sensor circuit high voltage
P1405 DPFE sensor upstream hose off or plugged
P1406 DPFE sensor downstream hose off or plugged
P1408 DPFE senor reporting EGR flow out of self test range

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P1442 Evaporative emission control system small leak detected
P1443 Evaporative emission control system purge control solenoid or vapor management valve malfunction
P1444 Purge Flow (PF) sensor ciruit low input
P1445 PF sensor circuit high input
P1449 Evaporative emission control system unable to hold a vaccum
P1450 Unable to bleed up fuel tank vaccum
P1452 Unable to bleed up fuel tank vaccum
P1455 Evaporative emission control system gross leak detected


P1460 Wide Open Throttle Air Conditioning Cut-off circuit malfunction
P1461 A/C pressure sensor circuit low input
P1462 A/C pressure sensor circuit high input
P1463 A/C pressure sensor insufficient pressure change
P1464 A/C demand out of self test range
P1469 Low A/C cycling period

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These codes are for the radiator fans

P1473 Fan secondary high with fans off
P1474 Low fan control primary circuit malfunction
P1479 High fan control primary circuit malfunction
P1480 Fan secondary low with low fan on
P1481 Fan secondary low with high fan on
P1483 Power to fan circuit overcurrent

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P1484 Open power ground to Variable Load Control Module

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The following codes are for the same VSS as described in P0500 & P0503

P1500 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) circuit intermittent
P1501 VSS out of self test range

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P1504 Idle Air Control (IAC) circuit malfunction
P1505 IAC system at adaptive clip
P1506 IAC overspeed error
P1507 IAC underspeed error

This unit is mounted on the throttle body, has an electrical connection,
held in place by 2 small bolts, can be cleaned by spraying a penetrating oil in to flush out dirt that may be in the threads of the screw drive.

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P1512 Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) for bank 1 (rear bank) stuck closed
P1513 IMRC for bank 2 (front bank) stuck closed

P1516 IMRC for bank 1 input error
P1517 IMRC for bank 2 input error

P1518 IMRC stuck open (no bank specified)
P1519 IMRC stuck closed (no bank specified)
P1520 IMRC circuit malfunction (no bank specified)

P1530 A/C clutch circuit malfunction

P1537 IMRC for bank 1 (rear bank) stuck open
P1538 IMRC for bank 2 (front bank) stuck open

IMRC for 1996 - 1998 stuck open is commonly caused by a vaccum leak in one of the actuators, can rob both actuators of vaccum.
The runners are held OPEN by springs, and are pulled closed by vaccum uppon engine start.
At about 2900rpms, the PCM sends a signal to the IMRC vaccum control solenoid to block the vaccum to the actuators, causing the runners to open.
To test which actuator is leaking, with engine running, carefully remove the vaccum line to one of the actuators and place your finger over the end of the vaccum line you have just removed.
If the OTHER actuator pulls closed, you have just disconnected the defective actuator.
If the other actuator does not pull closed, re-install the vaccum line to the actuator and repeat the process with the vaccum line to the other actuator.
If this does not make one of the actuators work, verify that you can feel a strong vaccum at the removed line, if not.....follow the vaccum line back and make sure that it is connected.
It is possible for both actuators to be leaking, but it is less likely.
It is also possible that there is some crud built up on the runners inside the lower intake manifold that prevents them from moving.

For 1999 and newer, the IMRC is run by electrical drive, not vaccum.
For these vehicles, check to see if the nylon clips are present, connecting the actuator to the runners.
If broken or missing, replacement clips can be bought at a FORD dealership.

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More to come...............