2002 stalling

[mad1985]

I noticed the check engine light came on. I took the car to Autozone to have the code scanned, the code came back P1131. I contacted the dealer service center about this code and was told to start with the fuel filter. I had the fuel filter replaced at Jiffy Lube, I bought the filter at Napa, while changing the oil. The check engine light went away, this has been the case for one week. Since the oil and fuel filter change the car stalls occasionally at stop lights. All the lights on the dashboard come on as if turning the key to the first position to start the vehicle. I place the vehicle in park and start the car immediately after the stalling.This has happened three times in the past two days. Any suggestions?

[worthirt_99]

does your car run ok other than that? I had a problem at a jiffy lube where they double gasketed my oil filter and it caused a leak. Also you might want to check your fuel filter for leaks, also some filters are directional and they might have put it on backwards. Check those two first, if neither of those are it, you might want to check you fuel pressure at the rail because your fuel pump might be going bad for some reason. I haven't had the experenience with this but, I've heard that the gen 4 taurii were known for bad fuel pumps. Hopefully somebody with some more knowledge will jump in on this.

[mad1985]

Originally Posted by worthirt_99

does your car run ok other than that? I had a problem at a jiffy lube where they double gasketed my oil filter and it caused a leak. Also you might want to check your fuel filter for leaks, also some filters are directional and they might have put it on backwards. Check those two first, if neither of those are it, you might want to check you fuel pressure at the rail because your fuel pump might be going bad for some reason. I haven't had the experenience with this but, I've heard that the gen 4 taurii were known for bad fuel pumps. Hopefully somebody with some more knowledge will jump in on this.

The car runs ok except these intermittent issues. I car is stored in the garage every evening, have not noticed any oil leaking on the floor. One strange thing I have noticed is the smell of gas in the garage, this is a faint smell but easily noticed. The more I think about it the start of the gas smell started after the fuel filter was replaced. I originally wrote this off as gas for my lawn mower, but last night I checked all gas cans for tight lids and none were loose. I was not aware that there was a orientation to the filter, I did not notice any directional indications when looking at the filter.
Where is the "rail" that you are referring to in checking the fuel pressure, this is a new term to me?

[worthirt_99]

The fuel rail sits near or at the top of your engine, right under the plastic cover usually. If you are smelling gas, I wouldn't look at the rail yet and check on your filter, it might just be leaking. Sometimes those things are a little tricky to put back in without the right tools. That or one of the hoses going to it are just loose and it is causing a small leak which is causing a loss of fuel pressure and causing your car to stall. Not all filters are directional, but if yours is there will be an arrow to indicate the direction of flow and the arrow should be pointing tword the engine bay.

[PTG1212]

I'm just not a fan of most Jiffy Lube's. I really don't trust them to do my oil changes (in a pinch I have gone there) let alone a fuel filter. Fuel filters can be tricky sometimes depending on the car. If you are smelling gas after they changed your fuel filter I'd say there's a fair chance you may have a small leak. Why don't I like Jiffy Lube. One, the turnover is huge, so I question the experience and two, I don't trust their parts.

[mad1985]

Originally Posted by PTG1212

I'm just not a fan of most Jiffy Lube's. I really don't trust them to do my oil changes (in a pinch I have gone there) let alone a fuel filter. Fuel filters can be tricky sometimes depending on the car. If you are smelling gas after they changed your fuel filter I'd say there's a fair chance you may have a small leak. Why don't I like Jiffy Lube. One, the turnover is huge, so I question the experience and two, I don't trust their parts.

The filter I purchased at Napa and the install was done by Jiffy Lube. I opted to go there for two reasons,
1. I could find no place I felt comfortable under the car to place my floor jack.
2. 1 mile from my home

I tend to go to the Ford Dealer to get my oil changes, but like you in a pinch I go to Jiffy Lube. There is another place that just opened up, I think I will venture in there some day to check things out. Maybe this could be a backup to going to the Ford dealer if that became necessary.

[TaurusKing]

Here's some info on code 1131:
This Pinpoint Test is intended to diagnose the following:

l HO2S/Heater (9F472)

l HO2S Connections

l Vacuum Systems

l Fuel Injector(s) (9F593)

l Harness Circuits: HO2S GND, HO2S, INJ 1-8, VPWR and SIG RTN

l Powertrain Control Module (PCM) (12A650)

the o2 sensor I believe is bank 1 sensor 1.. I would do a thorough check for any type of vacuum leak, disconnected hose(s), make sure pcv plumbing is ok
could be an intermittent type issue, did the light go away on it's own??, which would entail quite a few warm-up cycles, or did someone turn it off?

[shorod]

Yep, P1131 is for Lack of HO2S-11 Switch, Sensor Indicates Lean. This is bank 1, sensor 1 (pre-catalyst). Possible causes in the Factory Service Manual are listed as:

• Electrical:
  • Short to VPWR in harness or HO2S
  • Water in harness connector
  • Open/Shorted HO2S circuit
  • Corrosion or poor mating terminals and wiring
  • Damaged HO2S
  • Damaged PCM
• Fuel System:
  • Excessive fuel pressure
  • Leaking/contaminated fuel injectors
  • Leaking fuel pressure regulator
  • Low fuel pressure or running out of fuel
  • Vapor recovery system
• Induction System:
  • Air leaks after the MAF
  • Vacuum Leaks
  • PCV system
  • Improperly seated engine oil dipstick
• EGR System:
  • Leaking gasket
  • Stuck EGR valve
  • Leaking diaphragm or EVR
• Base Engine:
  • Oil overfill
  • Cam timing
  • Cylinder compression
  • Exhaust leaks before or near the HO2S(s)

-Rod

[mad1985]

Originally Posted by TaurusKing

Here's some info on code 1131:
This Pinpoint Test is intended to diagnose the following:

l HO2S/Heater (9F472)

l HO2S Connections

l Vacuum Systems

l Fuel Injector(s) (9F593)

l Harness Circuits: HO2S GND, HO2S, INJ 1-8, VPWR and SIG RTN

l Powertrain Control Module (PCM) (12A650)

the o2 sensor I believe is bank 1 sensor 1.. I would do a thorough check for any type of vacuum leak, disconnected hose(s), make sure pcv plumbing is ok
could be an intermittent type issue, did the light go away on it's own??, which would entail quite a few warm-up cycles, or did someone turn it off?

I reset the light after the fuel filter was replaced.

[mad1985]

I have a new issue with this car. From the engine are comes a squeaking noise, sounds like a noise from a hose but it originates on the opposite side of the engine compartment. I was at Auto Zone discussing the issue with one of the workers and a man walked up, pause, and said it was the Camshaft Synchronizer. He stated the Camshaft Synchronizer needed lubrication. I purchase the book on this vehicle but I am having difficulty location the sensor. I found a sensor that might be the Camshaft Synchronizer underneath the wiring harness next to the air intake manifold. My next issue was how to remove this to lubricate the sensor?
The squeaking starts about 2-3 minutes after I start the vehicle and dissipates as I increase the RPM's.

[shorod]

There are numerous threads and posts on the Camshaft Synchronizer. Use the "Search this Forum" feature from the Taurus Forum main page to search for keywords.

-Rod

[mad1985]

I decided to take my vehicle to a shop for analysis on the "chirping bird". I was not surprised that the diagnosis was a problem with the CMP sensor. The cost for replacing the whole unit is $300.00, this I found worth the price.

I replaced the front rotors and brake pads, this stopped the vibrating while braking. The pads and rotors are very easy to replace on this vehicle, total time was probably 2 hours( job was done at my parents so I spent a considerable time talking to my dad).

Thanks for the help.