Car dead
Yesterday, my car, a 1999 Ford Contour with 110k+ miles, decided it didn't want to go to work. I had someone look it over and they plugged in an OBDII sensor. We ended up with the following codes: P0125, P0442, P1131 and P1383.
P0125
Insufficient Coolant Temperature For Closed Loop Fuel ControlIndicates the ECT or CHT sensor has not achieved the required temperature level to enter closed loop operating conditions within a specified amount of time after starting the engine.
P0442
EVAP Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak)The PCM monitors the complete EVAP control system for the presence of a small fuel vapor leak. System failure occurs when a fuel vapor leak from an opening as small as 1.016 mm (0.040 in) is detected by the EVAP running loss monitor test.
P1131
Lack of HO2S-11 Switch, Sensor Indicates LeanA Heated Exhaust Oxygen (HO2S) sensor indicating lean at the end of a test is trying to correct for an over-rich condition. The test fails when the fuel control system no longer detects switching for a calibrated amount of time.Electrical:
P1383
Variable Cam Timing Over-retarded (Bank 1)The comprehensive component monitor (CCM) monitors the VCT position for over-retarded camshaft timing. The test fails when the camshaft timing exceeds a maximum calibrated value or remains in a retarded position.
The last one worries me most because I also found this on a help forum post:
On Fords you will find the P1383 is a slip timing belt due to being old, and is past the changing interval, worse yet you could also have a bad VCT.
Stuck open solenoid on the VCT
low oil pressure
Camshaft advance mechanism binding on the VCT unit
something you will have to get repaired before the damage gets expensive
The others each have a possible cause that's small, like fuel cap loose or oil dipstick not seated properly, but the P1383 looks all bad. I'm not sure what to do about that one. He cleared all the error codes, so the others might be gone already. None of the codes came back after he erased them, but the car won't start.
Hope I can get it functional again before I miss too much work.
P0125
Insufficient Coolant Temperature For Closed Loop Fuel ControlIndicates the ECT or CHT sensor has not achieved the required temperature level to enter closed loop operating conditions within a specified amount of time after starting the engine.
- Insufficient warm up time.
- Low engine coolant level.
- Leaking or stuck open thermostat.
- Malfunctioning ECT sensor.
- Malfunctioning CHT sensor.
P0442
EVAP Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak)The PCM monitors the complete EVAP control system for the presence of a small fuel vapor leak. System failure occurs when a fuel vapor leak from an opening as small as 1.016 mm (0.040 in) is detected by the EVAP running loss monitor test.
- After-market EVAP hardware (such as fuel filler cap) non-conforming to required specifications.
- Small holes or cuts in the fuel vapor hoses/tubes.
- Canister vent solenoid stays partially open on closed command.
- Damaged, missing or loosely installed fuel filler cap.
- Loose fuel vapor hose/tube connections to the EVAP system components.
- EVAP system component seals leaking (EVAP canister purge valve, fuel tank pressure sensor, canister vent solenoid, fuel vapor control valve tube assembly or fuel vapor vent valve assembly).
P1131
Lack of HO2S-11 Switch, Sensor Indicates LeanA Heated Exhaust Oxygen (HO2S) sensor indicating lean at the end of a test is trying to correct for an over-rich condition. The test fails when the fuel control system no longer detects switching for a calibrated amount of time.Electrical:
- Short to VPWR in the harness or HO2S.
- Water in the harness connector.
- Open/shorted HO2S circuit.
- Corrosion or poor mating terminals and wiring.
- Damaged HO2S.
- Damaged PCM.
- Excessive fuel pressure.
- Leaking/contaminated fuel injectors.
- Leaking fuel pressure regulator.
- Low fuel pressure or running out of fuel.
- Vapor recovery system.
- Air leaks after the MAF.
- Vacuum Leaks.
- Improperly seated engine oil dipstick.
- Leaking gasket.
- Stuck EGR valve.
- Leaking diaphragm or EVR.
- Oil overfill.
- Cam Timing.
- Cylinder compression.
- Exhaust leaks before or near the HO2S(s).
P1383
Variable Cam Timing Over-retarded (Bank 1)The comprehensive component monitor (CCM) monitors the VCT position for over-retarded camshaft timing. The test fails when the camshaft timing exceeds a maximum calibrated value or remains in a retarded position.
- Cam timing improperly set.
- Continuous oil flow to the VCT piston chamber.
- VCT solenoid valve stuck open.
- Camshaft advance mechanism binding (VCT unit).
The last one worries me most because I also found this on a help forum post:
On Fords you will find the P1383 is a slip timing belt due to being old, and is past the changing interval, worse yet you could also have a bad VCT.
Stuck open solenoid on the VCT
low oil pressure
Camshaft advance mechanism binding on the VCT unit
something you will have to get repaired before the damage gets expensive
The others each have a possible cause that's small, like fuel cap loose or oil dipstick not seated properly, but the P1383 looks all bad. I'm not sure what to do about that one. He cleared all the error codes, so the others might be gone already. None of the codes came back after he erased them, but the car won't start.
Hope I can get it functional again before I miss too much work.