Pulled engine codes today

[nickvisel]

Took my car to the car warshhh today and discovered that I now have a CEL that wasn't on before. Car seems to run okay, but in first gear, if I took it to WOT from a low speed (maybe 5 mph) it would buck up and down in 1st gear. However, doesn't do it in any other gears. I don't know what's up.

Decided to grab some paper clips from my friendly neighborhood Autozone, and pull some codes in the hot Arizona sun.

After finding out that you have to get NO codes for the KOER test to even start, I figured I should share what my CEL shared with me for the KOEO test.

111 (or is that just three flashes?)
157 (R,M) Mass Air Flow signal is/was low or grounded - MAF
542 (O,M) Fuel pump open, bad ground or always on - - Power / Fuel Pump Circuits

Which means I should be replacing/cleaning/taking a hammer (kidding, I know this isn't a Jeep) to what parts specifically?

Thanks guys!
Nick

 

[rubydist]

mafs is bad or connector is bad, apparently.

the 542 code is "fuel pump secondary circuit failure" which gets set if the engine ever stalls, and can nearly always be ignored.

 

[nickvisel]

Right on for the quick response. I'll be grabbing a MAF and airbox tomorrow from the junkyard if I find one.

:thankyou:

 

[nickvisel]

Or not!

I disconnected the battery terminals while I was removing the intake silencer and reset the computer.

I decided to do the KOEO Test
111
then a code about the computer memory being gone.

Waited a minute, restarted the test.
just 111

Finally a KOER test.
116 (O,R) Engine Coolant (ECT) sensor out of range - ECT

Would having air in the coolant system provoke this problem? I haven't burped the coolant system yet but I plan on doing it soon.

225 (R) Knock sensor not tested (ignore if not pinging) - KS

Assuming this isn't a problem

521 (R) Wheel not turned during test or PSP problem - PSP

I definitely turned the wheel during the test. I also know my power steering fluid tends to boil out of the top of the fluid box, so I mostly neglect refilling it and have a very slight assistance at turning the wheel when at really low rpms.

Thanks again!
Nick

 

[rubydist]

the 116 most likely means there is a bad connection on the ect, or that the engine isn't grounded properly, or that the sensor is bad.

the 521 may be that you didn't turn the wheel far enough - some of these are not very sensitive and you need to move the wheel like 1/4 turn each way. or the torque sensor on the rack is bad.

 

[cohill87]

I had a similar problem, I replaced the air intake charge sensor(had a code for it) and engine temp sensor, also cleaned the maf connector and maf. Code has not corme back since. Air in the system will not cause a engine coolant temp sensor fault. If it has never been changed it's most likely it is bad. You will prob notice a slight increase in gas milage as well. I would start by changing the coolant sensor, and cleaning the maf.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Or not!

I disconnected the battery terminals while I was removing the intake silencer and reset the computer.

I decided to do the KOEO Test
111
then a code about the computer memory being gone.

Waited a minute, restarted the test.
just 111

Finally a KOER test.
116 (O,R) Engine Coolant (ECT) sensor out of range - ECT

Would having air in the coolant system provoke this problem? I haven't burped the coolant system yet but I plan on doing it soon.

225 (R) Knock sensor not tested (ignore if not pinging) - KS

Assuming this isn't a problem

521 (R) Wheel not turned during test or PSP problem - PSP

I definitely turned the wheel during the test. I also know my power steering fluid tends to boil out of the top of the fluid box, so I mostly neglect refilling it and have a very slight assistance at turning the wheel when at really low rpms.

Thanks again!
Nick

Ignore these codes.

MAF code may or may not return. Might have just gotten wet in the car wash. If you're still having driveability issues, at least give the MAF a cleaning to see if that changes anything.

 

[nickvisel]

Well, I guess I am going to be looking for a new ECT sensor in the next week or two then. I'm averaging maybe 23 mpg city 25-27 hwy, so if my mileage increases, that'll be even better.

By the way, where is the ECT replaced? And how much is one to replace roughly?

 

[rubydist]

By the way, where is the ECT replaced? And how much is one to replace roughly?

ECT is located in the 'spider' shaped housing for the thermostat, the rear sensor is the 2-pin one for the ect, and front sensor is the single pin one for the temp gauge. they are each less then $20.

 

[cohill87]

23 thats excellent, probably will not see an increase. Just be sure when you find it to double check the connection to make sure it's not just a bad connection.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Well, I guess I am going to be looking for a new ECT sensor in the next week or two then. I'm averaging maybe 23 mpg city 25-27 hwy, so if my mileage increases, that'll be even better.

By the way, where is the ECT replaced? And how much is one to replace roughly?

What makes you think you need a new ECT?

A 116 code during a KOER test that isn't set as a hard code in a KOEO test does not indicate a sensor problem, it indicates that the coolant simply wasn't up to normal operating temperature when you ran the KOER test.

 

[nickvisel]

Well maybe I don't need one yet. My CEL came on during a trip back from Phoenix today, and then turned off. The engine didn't seem to be suffering at all but I wonder if the 20 mile uphill stretch stressed something.

 

[cohill87]

What makes you think you need a new ECT?

A 116 code during a KOER test that isn't set as a hard code in a KOEO test does not indicate a sensor problem, it indicates that the coolant simply wasn't up to normal operating temperature when you ran the KOER test.

From what I can understand he did the KOEO test after he cleared the codes, then proceeded with the KOER, and did not run another KOEO after wards. So I would run the KOEO after the code comes on, be sure the car is up to temp. See what you have. This one was a hard one because the engine light was intermitent, so you probably wont be able to catch the engine light on while you run a KOER, so it might not show up. But it should be stored in the codes for KOEO.

 

[rubydist]

If the cel came on, there is a stored code.

 

[cohill87]

yes there is a code stored for the KOEO if the engine light comes on. The engine light is intermitent, so it might not show up in KOER.

 

[nickvisel]

Okay ran codes again after the drive from work to home.

I got 116, 157, 172, and 542 (ignored because a friend stalled the car while I let them drive.)

Then I did the test again and for some reasons 116 didn't show up the second time. Time for a new ECT maybe? Engine was definitely warmed up.

I checked the connections on my MAF sensor and cleaned them recently, and still got the code? Should I get a new MAF sensor?

I'm also pretty sure I'll be replacing both 02 sensors when I get the chance.

Opinions welcome, guys!

 

[nickvisel]

Also, finally some confirmation that my car has been running lean (you can feel the lack of power at WOT). Hopefully this'll help.

 

[rubydist]

sometimes, you need to clean the mafs several times before it really gets clean - you might try cleaning it another time or two before you get a new one.

the mafs problem may be causing the lean reading from the 02 sensor, or you may still have that after you fix the mafs.