01 windstar 3.8 catalytic converter stopped

[morgan1979]

Only one of the convertors are stopped the other two are fine. This one is glows red. Being that right now is a hard time financially for our large family whats the best fix? The part store seems to only sell the whole unit which is almost 500 dollars. The van currently is sitting due to how bad it is driving. by the way i live in Alabama there is no emission law. Im just needing something to get me by 3-4 weeks.

[kevink1955]

If it's glowing red it is most likely working and burning off excess fuel from a poorly runing engine. Find out what is causing the rough runing and the convertor will go back to normal

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by morgan1979

Only one of the convertors are stopped the other two are fine. This one is glows red. Being that right now is a hard time financially for our large family whats the best fix? The part store seems to only sell the whole unit which is almost 500 dollars. The van currently is sitting due to how bad it is driving. by the way i live in Alabama there is no emission law. Im just needing something to get me by 3-4 weeks.

Check codes for a misfiring cylinder and/or visually check plugs, plug cables and coil pack. Like Kevin says you're likely leaking fuel into the cat and the most common cause of this is a cylinder with a no-spark condition. This causes the fuel delivered to that cylinder by the injector to be wasted and travel down the exhaust system into the cats where it just burns. Also a misfiring cylinder will cause the engine to run very rough at idle as if it had a major vacuum leak, but with more vibrations. As far as troubleshooting is concerned a cylinder with a no-spark condition is pretty easy procedure. Sings of a single-cylinder with no-spark condtion are very rough idle, lack of power, fuel smell or dripping from tail-pipe jerky acceleration that could be mistaken for tranny issues, poor fuel economy, cussing driver.

[morgan1979]

We been getting a constant code of bank 1 to lean . New spark plugs but had to drive a few miles with a misfire from bad spark plug to get it home the other day. Will most definitely check into to seeing of anything is wrong with the new plugs.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by morgan1979

We been getting a constant code of bank 1 to lean . New spark plugs but had to drive a few miles with a misfire from bad spark plug to get it home the other day. Will most definitely check into to seeing of anything is wrong with the new plugs.

If the problem appeared or got worse after the new plugs were installed check if proper plugs were installed and properly seated, check all plug cables and connectors then if that does nothing remove the coil pack and inspect it for cracks with a magnifier under a bright light. Haynes manual would be very handy if you don't already have it. It can save you thousands in repairs and diagnosis procedures.

[morgan1979]

Thanks I discovered cylinder 5 is the problem. When i get off work im going to check the plug and the coil. I had just enough time this morning to unplug wire by wire and sure enough it was #5.

[morgan1979]

Originally Posted by Windstartled

Check codes for a misfiring cylinder and/or visually check plugs, plug cables and coil pack. Like Kevin says you're likely leaking fuel into the cat and the most common cause of this is a cylinder with a no-spark condition. This causes the fuel delivered to that cylinder by the injector to be wasted and travel down the exhaust system into the cats where it just burns. Also a misfiring cylinder will cause the engine to run very rough at idle as if it had a major vacuum leak, but with more vibrations. As far as troubleshooting is concerned a cylinder with a no-spark condition is pretty easy procedure. Sings of a single-cylinder with no-spark condtion are very rough idle, lack of power, fuel smell or dripping from tail-pipe jerky acceleration that could be mistaken for tranny issues, poor fuel economy, cussing driver.

Ok one and five are not firing. There is no fire from the coil itself on these two. Wire and plug is good. Advice? New coil?

[northern piper]

i'd be replacing the coil for sure. 1 and 5 are connected.The pattern of connection is:

Cylinder numbering:

• Windshield side
  1--2--3
  4--5--6
  Frt. Of vehicle

Coil numbering:

• • --4 PIN--
    ----------------
    --1--- 2--- 3--
    ----------------
    --5--- 6--- 4--
    ----------------
    
    
• NOTE the irregular sequence on the 5-6-4 side. Weird, but that's the way it is.

[morgan1979]

Originally Posted by northern piper

i'd be replacing the coil for sure. 1 and 5 are connected.The pattern of connection is:

Cylinder numbering:

• Windshield side
  1--2--3
  4--5--6
  Frt. Of vehicle

Coil numbering:

• • --4 PIN--
    ----------------
    --1--- 2--- 3--
    ----------------
    --5--- 6--- 4--
    ----------------
    
    
• NOTE the irregular sequence on the 5-6-4 side. Weird, but that's the way it is.

Thanks replaced it last night and now head gasket done. This van sure turning into a headache.