Oxygen Sensor ~~confused~~

[(V)uzaq(V)an]

I have a 2000 Ford Windstar. A couple of weeks back my wife went to start the car and as soon as she turned the key the RPM's went up but came down even faster and the car dyed out. She tried it two more times and the same thing happened. When she would try to accelerate on the gas it would putt and then dye out again. On the third time it started right up and havent hads a problem since.

I received a call from my wife the other day. She stated that the "Check Engine" light came on. I did the sensible thing and went to AutoZone to have them check it. The following is what was reported when they checked my computer;

2000 ford truck
windstar 6cyl 232 3.8l SFI

sensor oxygen
bosch 13117 64.99
o.e. type

bosh 15733 79.99
universal

denso 234-4212 64.99
universal

express/vdp item

autozone diy online

online code 0.01

My question is...What is this? Three seperate oxygen sensors? Do I need to replace all three or do I have to replace just one.

Can someone please decipher this for me!

thanks a million!

Phil

[DRW1000]

What is it in that printout that makes you think you need to replace the 02 sensors?

It looks like all they did was type in your model type and year and provide you with the prices for three makes of replacements.

Did they read the codes and provide the raw numbers to you or did they read the codes and interpret them and tell you that they think you need 02 sensors?

I think you need to return to Autozone and ask for the raw numbers that they download from the PCM.

[phil-l]

I don't believe you have an oxygen sensor problem.

Oxygen sensors only work correctly when warm; the engine controller knows to ignore them until the engine is warmed up.

If the engine is have difficulty starting when cold - but starts if the gas pedal is pushed down partway, you likely have a sticky Idle Air Control (IAC) valve. This is a fairly common failure, and is an easy do-it-yourself repair. The valve is on top of the throttle body, attached with two bolts, and has a single two-wire connector.

I had a similar problem on my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8. Rather than replace the valve, I removed it and cleaned it with quality carburetor cleaner, and made sure the shaft moved smoothly. It's been fine ever since (now at 70K+ miles).

Beware of quickie Autozone diagnostics. If they scan your car, get the actual code numbers (not the text description) and look it up yourself. The error codes don't tell you what to replace, they merely document symptoms the engine controller is seeing. You need to do some research on the codes to understand what they mean, and how to further diagnose the problem.

[wiswind]

If you have P0171 / P0174 code(s)...they are indicating that you are lean on bank(s) 1 and / or 2.
This is reported by the oxygen sensors.....but is not an oxygen sensor failure. These codes are usually caused by a vaccum leak.....and your 2000 falls into the years covered by a TSB that is very well documented by another forum member.....at this location

http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

[(V)uzaq(V)an]

They said that it was running rich

[phil-l]

Go back to AutoZone - get the actual error code numbers when they scan it. We'll work from there.

[DRW1000]

Ditto............Get the codes. We can help