2000 Windstar OBD codes 171, 181

[flew]

My 2000 Windstar (3.8l, 85000 mi.) gives me a check engine light every once in a while when the car is just warmed up. Usually after driving about 2 miles first time in the morning.

The codes are usually P0171 (and sometimes P0174) and P0181 7E5 0E3 (sometimes 182 7E5 XXX). When I reset the codes they come back on after two or three days.

The engine idles well (doesn't seem to be a vacuum leak) and I have cleaned the MAF sensor. I ran some injector cleaner through two tankfuls.

Does anyone have any ideas out there? Please help.

Flew

[DRW1000]

I don't know much about the 181 codes but the 171/174 codes are very common for 99-2002 3.8L Windstars. There is a TSB that covers it and you will find enough information to fill a small library in this forum on the TSB and the codes.

Fortunately it is not a difficult repair if you are handy enough to do it yourself.

[12Ounce]

P0181 and P0182 have to do with the "fuel temp sensor" and related circuitry.

[Dngrsone]

When's the last time the fuel filter was changed? It might not solve the problem, but it wouldn't hurt, either.

[flew]

Dngrsone,

Thanks for the tip. I changed the fuel filter but the codes came back the next morning just after the car warmed up.

Flew

[Dngrsone]

Well, it was a try

I don't put much stock in the over-the-shelf injector cleaners and this looks like a somewhat intermittant problem. You aren't getting any misfire codes?

[flew]

Dngrsone,

The check engine light is now predictable. It comes on about every third day, only on the first trip in the morning, just after the car warms up (after about 2 miles).

I get P0171/174 codes as well as P0182 7E5 nnn (where nnn is some number). The book says 182 is a fuel temperature sensor problem. I can't find a fuel temperature sensor. Anyone know where to look?

Flew