98 Contour Codes P1131 and P0401

Car idles fine but refuses to accelerate smoothly under a load. If you hit the gas gradually on a level or downhill surface she does OK. But if you try to accelerate to rapidly, or go up a hill she starts losing power. Car has 183,000 miles, I dont know much of its past service history.
Any helps or tips would be greatly appreciated.

disconnect the vacuum line to the EGR valve. Does the symptom improve? It is possible that the DPFE sensor is stuck low. When you accelerate the EGR is commanded depending on the load. If the PCM doesn't see the change in the DPFE readings it will try to command even more EGR. This can cause all kinds of drivability complaints including the one you have described.

Thanks for the tip. I will give that a try and report back
the results.

disconnect the vacuum line to the EGR valve. Does the symptom improve? It is possible that the DPFE sensor is stuck low. When you accelerate the EGR is commanded depending on the load. If the PCM doesn't see the change in the DPFE readings it will try to command even more EGR. This can cause all kinds of drivability complaints including the one you have described.

FWIW, the EGR is used when cruising only and is closed during acceleration. If by "demanding more of the EGR" you mean, it "opens more", this is simply not true. During acceleration, the EGR is used less to none.

I would agree you have something going on with the EGR system.

OK, its been really cold lately so I havent messed with the car. But now it is having another problem. Started car. Put it in drive and it would not go. (Transmission wouldnt engage.) Dropped into D2 and car went. What is going on here ? This has now happened 3 times in the last day.
ERGHHHHH.

Anybody got an idea about this deal with the tranny that has happened all of a sudden ?

OK. Right now the tranny will not engage in D1. If you put it in D2 or L it goes into gear. Weird.
To troubleshoot my original problem Airjer suggested I try disconnecting the vacuum hose from the EGR valve and see if the car performed any better. Disconnecting the hose did not improve it whatsoever. No change.
Could the tranny problem and the hesitation problem be related ?

OK. Right now the tranny will not engage in D1. If you put it in D2 or L it goes into gear. Weird.
To troubleshoot my original problem Airjer suggested I try disconnecting the vacuum hose from the EGR valve and see if the car performed any better. Disconnecting the hose did not improve it whatsoever. No change.
Could the tranny problem and the hesitation problem be related ?

The trans is probably done. I hate to say it but the CD4E is a pile.

I'm guessing the codes are not related. A trans code would not throw an EGR code. Are you sure the vacuum line connecting to the EGR is connected on the other end to the intake? Maybe its not getting any vacuum sorce at all.

I'm not sure what mlps is, but I just got the factory books off Ebay so that should help.
When I removed the vacuum line , I noticed that it really didn't feel like vacuum. It that possible ?

OK, I have been looking up info on the MLPS. I called the local dealer here in Cincy and they are saying that I will need the sensor and also some kind of pigtail that they want to charge another 49.00 for. Is this true ? I gave him the part # listed in the post above and that is what he came up with. 72.00 for the sensor, and 49.00 for the pigtail.

Just called Tasca Ford in RI. They quoted me 36.00 bucks for the sensor, and said I didnt need a pigtail. Anybody know for sure ?