2000 Windstar Stalling

[crsticken]

Hello all,

I have a 2000 windstar w/ 3.0 V6. Several months ago it was stalling out occasionally and the CEL was on. It read P0171 and P0174 and another I believe was an EGR fault. I don't remember exactly what the code was. Maybe P01374. Anyway I changed the fuel filter, because I thought it was running lean and I never changed it before and it cleared it up. The CEL didnot return until a few days ago and now it's back to its old tricks again. So my question is Can the fuel filter be bad again or is there something else that could be causing this.. That the new fuel filter had "tricked" before? Thanks, Chris

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by crsticken

Hello all,

I have a 2000 windstar w/ 3.0 V6. Several months ago it was stalling out occasionally and the CEL was on. It read P0171 and P0174 and another I believe was an EGR fault. I don't remember exactly what the code was. Maybe P01374. Anyway I changed the fuel filter, because I thought it was running lean and I never changed it before and it cleared it up. The CEL didnot return until a few days ago and now it's back to its old tricks again. So my question is Can the fuel filter be bad again or is there something else that could be causing this.. That the new fuel filter had "tricked" before? Thanks, Chris

171/174 codes imply that the O2 sensors are reading that the engine is running lean. The fuel filter is an excellent first choice and is a maintenance item anyway. I doubt that it is clogged enough in a couple of months but it can't hurt to try. I wouls try and eliminate the simple things first:

Air filter (why not)
Vacuum leaks
Fuel pressure
Dirty MAF
Injector enable signal

There is a TSB for 1999-2003 for these codes but I do not believe that they apply to a 3.0. In any event the cause of the codes in these engines are vacuum leaks that are common to both engine banks. If I were a betting man I would put my money on a vacuum leak in your engine. Check all hoses for cracking or loose connections.

[DRW1000]

Another thought. Since you have a possible vacuum leak AND an EGR code you might want to check the vacuum lines between the intake and the EGR - remembering the EGR vacuum controller too. A leak in this line could throw both types of codes. Could even be a leakey EGR diaphram.

[nrico_1]

I am also having the same problem, the van would not idle for long then dies, if I keep the RPM at 2000rpm, it seems to be fine but I still feel the occational hicup...it seems to have gotten worst when I replaced the fuel filter(I was thinking it was a clogged filter), I have monitored the coil output of the flywheel position sensor, and ignition and it does not go away when the engine stalls(not electrical problem in these areas), I am suspecting a bad fuel pump, any other test I can do that will for sure say if its the pump or not...?(maybe monitor current drain of the pump..see if it's a steady draw?...)

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by nrico_1

I am also having the same problem, the van would not idle for long then dies, if I keep the RPM at 2000rpm, it seems to be fine but I still feel the occational hicup...it seems to have gotten worst when I replaced the fuel filter(I was thinking it was a clogged filter), I have monitored the coil output of the flywheel position sensor, and ignition and it does not go away when the engine stalls(not electrical problem in these areas), I am suspecting a bad fuel pump, any other test I can do that will for sure say if its the pump or not...?(maybe monitor current drain of the pump..see if it's a steady draw?...)

If the van runs better at higher RPM it might not be the fuel pump. A dirty IAC can affect the idle. So can a sticking EGR valve. Is your CEL on? If so what are the codes? What engine do you have?