ECT = Stupid question

[oh_SHO]

Here's the picture

1. CEL comes on after 20-30 min of driving.

2. Misses at idle and when crusing at 55-60. Only after its been driven for 20-30 min. Runs fine cold and under hard acceleration.

3. RPM spike to 1500 at random times while idling for no reason.

4. All orginal plug wires and sensors. Less than 3000K on motorcraft plugs.

So I ran the codes twice and here is what I got:

111 -System OK

117 -ECT signal was/is low or grounded

217 -primary circuit failure -coil 3

317 -??????

217 -Is this supposed to come through twice?

3 -?????

That is the order they came out in. Am I reading the last 3 wrong? That all came out in the KOEO test and the KOER test gave me a system OK. The cyclinder balance test said no problem. I did the KOER test with the engine at OT.

I read that bad plug wires could cause the 217 code and I have new ones that I haven't installed yet (later this week). I am goning to have Autozone test the coil pack on Monday.

Ok, so here is the stupid question, what the heck is the ECT? I did a search and came up with nothing.

Any thoughts on what the other codes could mean (317) or did I count the flashes wrong? I ran the KOEO test 4 times.

Also could a failing TPS cause the shudder/miss at certain throttle positions?

Any thoughts or comments would be aweson. Thanks,

 

[Bizzy]

For starters, you need to re-read your codes. They should all be 3 digit codes for a Gen II.

Things to be concerned about. Plug wires, they should be replaced. It is suggested that they be replaced every 60k, but I got well over 100k out of mine. The idle problems can be stemmed from a dirty or bad IAC, so check that...but don't drop that bottom screw if you take it off to clean it. Codes repeat themselves twice.

I'd suggest that you clear your codes by pulling the jumper out while it's reading them. Then take her for a good long spin and then re-read your codes again.

 

[89 black SHO mtx]

ok here is the 411 on the code 117 ect is engine coolant temp sensor circut low if you have a dvm check the resistance across the ect its a 2 wire sensor uinder the throttle body. the resistance should be @ 68 degrees between 20,000 and 35,000 ohms. this sensor will cause other problems as well. its a cheap sensor and is easy to replace. as for the other 2 codes i will look and see if i can find some discriptions for you

 

[89 black SHO mtx]

ok when you got the code 217 coil #3 qwas it before or after teh cylinder balance test??? and how did you preform it did you pull plug wires or did you pull injector wires????? if you pulled the plug wires it could've set the 217 and as for the 317 code i haven't been able to findany description for it. when you need answers for code descriptions try a search engine with"engine codes ford" or something similar and it will give you a few sites to look at.

 

[OSHSHO]

According to my book, the 317 code is "Thermactor Air System problem-air flow not bypassed(vented to atmosphere) during Engine run self-test" Hope that helps thumbs_u Hack

 

[89 black SHO mtx]

ok that is a new one for me. sorry I'm not sure what system it controls. by the way when you got the ect code was it koer or koeo??? if it was koer was the engine warmed up??? if its not up in the normal range it will give this code because koer test looks for sensors out of range at a certain engine operation tempature. maybe this will help in the diagnostic

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I'm sure you folks are trying to be helpful, but as Bizzy pointed out, it appears that oh_SHO's code-reading procedure was flawed based on the codes reported. Trying to help him resolve codes which might not actually be correct just muddies the water. We should wait until he reports back with another code read to determine what advice to offer!

 

[oh_SHO]

Ok, I thought there was a problem with the code reading. I reread how the codes are output and I THINK I found what I did wrong. I believe I counted the seperator pulse as part of a code. Here is what I new believe the codes to be:

111- System OK

172 -o2 sensor not switching

173 -o2 sensor not switching

Then the 172 & 173 were repeated. Those all came out as stored codes during the KOEO test (ran it 4 times and came up with the same thing 3 times). The KOER was run at OT.

O2 not switching could cause a egg smell right?

On the balance test I didn't remove any wires. I thought the computer did everything as far as that went.

Oh well, I will check the ECT anyway and rerun the codes after it is back on the road with the 60K done. Thanks guys.

<small>[ March 23, 2003, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: oh_SHO ]</small>

 

[oh_SHO]

I forgot to mention that I replaced the IAC last summer. Do you guys think that I should just go ahead and replace the two o2 sensors since I am sure about the codes now and the fact that I have to get my car e-checked later this week? Thanks again.

 

[Rob94]

ECT,or ETC, is the Engine Temperature Control sensor. It is located on the thermostat housing, behind the temp sensor for the dashboard gauge. It tells the computer how warm or cool the engine coolant is, which in turn directly effects the mixture. It also triggers the cooling fan to turn on when the engine has reached a preset temperature. While it most certainly can cause the problems you have asked about, I would go with the codes you pulled and replace your O2 sensors. Then, reset your codes and see it it helps. Good luck.

<small>[ March 23, 2003, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Rob94 ]</small>

 

[rangerj]

Gentlemen,

If I may make an observation. The fact that the computer has stored a code does not mean that the sensor that the code relates to has failed.

In this example a code indicates that the O-2 sensor had stopped switching from rich to lean, and back again, for a period of time long enough for the computer to code. The O-2 sensor should "switch" continuously.

Let us say that the O-2 sensor stayed on the lean side. Is the sensor reporting a lean condition due to a vacuum leak?

In this instance my experience tells me that the O-2 sensor is failing because is is "sticking" on both the rich, and lean, long enough to cause a code. This is a tell-tale sign of a failing O-2 sensor.

This is just some food for thought for you. Don't jump to the conclusion that a code means a failed sensor. rangerj