2001 Taurus - Check engine light on

[Mytch]

Hi,

I just got a used 2001 Taurus not too long ago with a little over 200,000 miles on it. The other day, I just about ran out of gas. (I don't think the gas indicator light is working - didn't know I was that low.) Anyway, I barely made it to the gas station where I filled up the tank. The car was definitely not happy on the way there...

I'm not sure if it is directly related to that, or if it is something else, but the check engine light (looks like a picture of an engine) is on. I looked in the manual that said to drive it a few days on city dates and highways to see if it goes back off. It hasn't, but I haven't been able to go freeway speeds since our highways are icy.

One day, for a few minutes, it started to flash. Then it went back to solid and that is how it has been staying.

Do you think it could be related to the running out of gas, or should I be more worried (if that's possible). I can't afford to get it to a mechanics yet. And, I don't know if this has any bearing on things at all, but I live in Fargo and it has been EXTREMELY cold here...

Any advice?

Thanks...

[Doug Tatham]

There are several hundred codes that the check engine light can indicate. Most autoparts stores will read the codes for free for you. The code typically will not tell you exactly what's wrong. Post another message with the error code for help.

[Mytch]

Ok. Thank you.

[shorod]

Did you get the fuel cap on tightly after making it to the station? Actually, I think your 2001 has a "Check fuel cap" indicator, so it's probably not that simple....

-Rod

[Mytch]

Hi Rod,

Yeah, I did check that just to be sure. Thanks. I'm gonna try to get to AutoZone today.

[Mytch]

Okay. Went to AutoZone. Here are the codes:

1131 (said he didn't know what that code was and didn't have it in his book)
171 - Bank 1 too lean
151 - Low reading on oxy sensor bank 2
174 - Bank 2 too lean
301 - Miss fired on cyl. #1

Let me start out by saying that I have no clue what any of this means. What is the bank?

When I told him that I almost ran out of gas about a week ago, he said it could be related and to drive it a few more days to see if that takes care of it. But, he also said that he has never seen so many codes come in like that on one vehicle.

He also said that the code 301 could have caused all the other codes...

Any advice/tips/ideas????

Thank you...

[Scrapper]

yes one sensor can throw other sensors off. bank one is like number one plug so it could be in your coil pack but like i said one sensor can throw other sensors off. i would also change 0-2 sensor if it hasn't been changed for awhile. don't try cleaning 0-2 it will not do any good. good luck to you.

[shorod]

The P1131 is a manufacturer-specific code. For your Taurus, this code is defined in the Factory Service Manual as "P1131 - Lack of HO2S-11 Switch, Sensor Indicates Lean." This is a code for the heated (H) oxygen sensor (O2S), Bank 1, Sensor 1 (-11). Similar to what Scrapper posted, Bank 1 is the bank of cylinders that contains cylinders 1-3. It will be the bank nearest the firewall, and cylinder 1 will be the cylinder nearest the serpentine belt.

I also agree that a good starting point would be to fix the misfire code on cylinder 1. This could be due to worn spark plugs, a bad coil for that cylinder (and the same coil is likely shared with another cylinder), a bad fuel injector, or possibly a compression issue (head gasket, burned valve, etc.). At 200k miles, I'd say any of those could be a possibility.

Since you are getting lean codes for both cylinder banks, you might also consider cleaning the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor and inspecting all the vacuum lines for cracks or splits.

-Rod