Going after the BUMP isuue..

[12Ounce]

That was a good test for finding leakage on spark cables ... perhaps a bit brazen or crazy ... but good. The fact that you didn't feel a jolt is due the superior two-wall insulation on todays spark cables ... and a wee, wee bit is due to having two spark plugs in series hookup.

[garync1]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

That was a good test for finding leakage on spark cables ... perhaps a bit brazen or crazy ... but good. The fact that you didn't feel a jolt is due the superior two-wall insulation on todays spark cables ... and a wee, wee bit is due to having two spark plugs in series hookup.

Well When something is aggravating me and I can't seem to pin point it. I just sort of went for it. To be honest I have been popped so many times it does not seem to bother me.. Heck Got zapped by 220 in my house once and I am still here.. Turned off the wrong breaker by mistake. I will say that one I don't want to be hit with again.. My whole body ached for days.. But really it was getting dark and I did not see signs of arching so I started to just feel around the wires and then headed to the coil.. Yes I still was a bit hesitant. But once my mind was made up I just went in there and started grabbing quickly around the coil.. Then once I felt nothing I kinda just held my hand down on it for a few seconds.. Not recommended of course but sort of self idiot test for me.. Got my conclusion out of it.. They say Ben Franklin flew a kite with a key in a lighting storm.. He was braver than me... I guess.. LOL

[searcherrr]

Not familiar with the bump issue. Whats that?

[garync1]

Originally Posted by searcherrr

Not familiar with the bump issue. Whats that?

Well Its when you are driving and at or around 1200 rpms it bumps. Almost like the trans is not going into gear right or a misfire.It only happens for a split second and sometimes 2 0r 3 in a row. I thought mine was the trans. Did for a year and I went ahead and replaced my not so reliable trans. The problem with the new trans is still there so I don't think its that.. Just got in from Florida and it bumped from time to time. Still trying to figure it out. I think I may go ahead and replace the coil pack on it to see if it helps. I do notice the problem occurs more when the engine is hot and been running a while. Like after 20 min.. I think I will pull the cowl off and inspect the back wires to make sure they are not near the exhaust manifold. Also noticed my fuel millage has dropped. The last trip i took it was getting about 25-27 mpg on hwy. That was about a year ago. Since then because of trans issues I was afraid to venture more than 60 miles from home.. So With new trans took it on 1000 mile or so round trip and got 18.5 mpg going there and 19.1 on the way back.. Driving the same I always drive. Around 80 mph..Today traffic was moving well and at some points was able to get up around 85-90 with swift traffic flow and still got 19.1. Going there traffic was a little slower and only got up to around 80-85 mph.. Millage was worse.. So go figure.

[tomj76]

I realize that with your new transmission, you'd think that this was not transmission related. However, your symptoms sound a lot like the ones that I had when my TCC solenoid was dropping out. According to the rebuild shop, different models of the Windstar have solenoids that operate on different control voltages. My Windstar required a low voltage solenoid, but the transmission rebuild had a high voltage one. After they'd work on it, the bump would go away for a while (probably because the wiring harness to the transmission had been disconnected, wiping any oxidation from the contacts for a lower resistance). After a few weeks the bumps would start occuring infrequently at first and gradully increase in occurance to once every couple of miles. It also seemed to be OK for the first 20 minutes and got worse after the engine warmed.

One way that I learned to distinguish these from misfires was that the RPM would go up during the bumps since the torque converter clutch was not engaged for a moment.

[Andrew1941]

I sound a bit like a broken record, but you really should check out the DPFE sensor. Thing is, the PCM doesn't use the EGR system until the engine is up to temperature (among other things) and if the sensor is stuck giving a fixed reading, then the valve will open only a certain amount when the PCM turns the system on (which could be anything). The problem of too much or too little EGR will be present at the same RPM everytime since the valve is not moving because of the sensor. This is what I experienced when mine failed and it was always causing the bump at 1800 RPM on a slight incline under light load. As the problem got worse, the bumps became more frequent; however, the frequency could and probably was more related to spark plug issues I had, so I guess I can't really say for sure which came first; the chicken (DPFE) or the egg (spark plugs).

I keep bringing it up because it is an easy quick thing to test and if it is the problem, it couldn't be an easier repair to do.

[garync1]

Originally Posted by Andrew1941

I sound a bit like a broken record, but you really should check out the DPFE sensor. Thing is, the PCM doesn't use the EGR system until the engine is up to temperature (among other things) and if the sensor is stuck giving a fixed reading, then the valve will open only a certain amount when the PCM turns the system on (which could be anything). The problem of too much or too little EGR will be present at the same RPM everytime since the valve is not moving because of the sensor. This is what I experienced when mine failed and it was always causing the bump at 1800 RPM on a slight incline under light load. As the problem got worse, the bumps became more frequent; however, the frequency could and probably was more related to spark plug issues I had, so I guess I can't really say for sure which came first; the chicken (DPFE) or the egg (spark plugs).

I keep bringing it up because it is an easy quick thing to test and if it is the problem, it couldn't be an easier repair to do.

Yes that is one of my checks.. But the funny thing is I just changed one on a Ford F150 but i can't seem to locate it on the Windstar.. I have a 2001.. I think i found it but not for sure if it is it.. The book does not show one on a 2001 but the one they do show is off another year and mine is not in the same place..It should have 2 lines running to it right.? Thanks,gary

[garync1]

Pulled and clean the EGR valve found the DPFE. MY Volt meter not working but pulled it and checked to see if lines were clogged. They were ok. I see if that helped. If not may replace coil and DPFE. Sensor.

[garync1]

Well I noticed the green hose going to my EGR is really loose.. Tried to clean it but still loose... So I replaced the elbow with some clear tight fitting hose to see if there is a change.. So far no bump.. But I have not went very far yet..So not sure if the EGR is the issue.I did pull and clean the EGR also but it was not bad at all really.. Seen worse with codes of course but also seen worse with no codes on a car. So still checking things.. Attack one at a time I guess.. Still thinking it some sort of miss fire..

[12Ounce]

A loose control hose could have been the problem ... you may be bump free!

[garync1]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

A loose control hose could have been the problem ... you may be bump free!

Well I hope so... Not sure how it would come into play.. i did notice my rough idle that i had every now and then is gone..In other words even on short trips at a light it would run a little rough until i hit the gas and clear up. On my short trips the last few times I drove it had not showed up yet..So maybe related. I did clean the IAC last month to help this problem but it did not work.. So I was thinking it may be related to a misfire. But so far ok.. If it does I will be glad.. Was going to shell out money on a coil..

[garync1]

Well still got the bump...

[Ed_Strong]

Have you pulled the Coil out for a closer inspection yet? I would do that first, before buying a new one!

[garync1]

Originally Posted by Ed_Strong

Have you pulled the Coil out for a closer inspection yet? I would do that first, before buying a new one!

No Not yet. But i did put my hand on it to see if I would get popped.. Crazy stupid I know but it was a quick check to see if anything was getting out besides through the wires.. Got nothing.. I need to pull cowl off before and inspect.. Coil,wires and plugs are about a little over a year old now. Bump about the same time as well.. Trans is ruled out. EGR as well I think.. DPFE has not been yet.. Volt meter I have is bad..I'm still thinking coil and wires and rear plugs may be issue.. I forgot I changed the front before my trip and forgot about the rear plugs.. So they will be done soon.. Will keep posted

[garync1]

Bump issue resolved.. If you are running app 765 you are running wrong plugs in the Auto light Double platinum Brand.. You need the APP 105 plugs.. There are more threads. Meaning that plug goes in deeper.. The other ones have only 5 threads.. The 105 has 10 threads.. Bump is now gone...