need help from the tune up experts

bentwings · Mar 20, 2004

Hi, This isn't a real hot rod problem but my hot rod is taking a back seat untill it is fixed. Which frustrates me to no end. My 98 Windstar van 3.8 has a problem loosing power. Especially when warm but not limited to this. It goes along fine then you can feel it loosing power. It will downshift as you squeeze the throttle and the rpm picks up as it goes into 3rd from od. You can buttom it out of OD ok but it is still loosing power. I changed fuel filter and there was some improvement for a couple days. Now that it has gotten warmer it happens almost right away. The OBD 2 shows nothing (so I'm told) even thought the "check engine "lite goes on (stays on too). The plugs look ok although the shop put 2 new ones in. (damaged taking them out I think) The shop had it for almost a week and couldn't find anything. I also replaced the gas cap as that is supposed to create an EGR code. Nada. There doesn't seem to be any pressure in the tank but you can smell gas on opening the cap. When I replaced the filter it definetly sprayed gas all over. I know you are supposed take the cap off but I wanted to prove there was pressure in the tank. There was!! I have heard that the trans can cause this but the fluid is very clean and not burnt. It shifts just fine. It should for 2300 bucks. The van is gently driven (for a woman). It has 120k miles. This is the best I can do without prompting from y'all. Post question and I fill in anything else I can.
Additionally It has a slightly bumpy idle like and uneven cylinder compression. This comes and goes. I have been told that the TPI (throttle position indicator) is bad. ???? is it???
Thanks ahead for all the help. If this isn't the appropriate spot for this I'll put it where ever needed.

OddRodder · Mar 20, 2004

The computer went completely haywire on my old windstar, I had to replace the complete unit ( about $750.00) It started mixing up the injectors and the whole fuel system. The symptoms were similar to yours, with a sharp decrease in mileage and a strong unburned fuel smell! Of course, this happened after the transaxle had to be rebuilt and the headgaskets blew out and the catalytic converters had to be replaced!!!!! What a CRAP-BOX!!!!! Glad to be rid of it!!!!

bentwings · Mar 20, 2004

need help with windstar

G...D...m I hope you are wrong. I blew 2300 on a trans a year ago and 120 on a ujont recently. It has been a very good car/van with about 100k of trouble free driving and good mpg 24-25 Please give me and encouraging word. The word is that all new cars are subject to expensive repairs after 4 years. As an engineer I could never get away with that in my line. Come on lets hear it....this repair is simple. That 's what I would like to hear. My wife says if I set foot in my shop to work on the Willys she is heading for the new car lot. Help...help my hot rod depends on y'all.

KULTULZ · Mar 20, 2004

I don't understand. If the MIL lamp illuminates, there will be a hard code stored. It is also EEC-V and the PCM is programable (Flash) in the diagnostic bay. Did you have it looked at in an independent shop or dealer?

bentwings · Mar 21, 2004

help

I had this looked at by one of the local independents. He has been pretty good inthe past but I think he is hurting as a couple of his guys quit unexpectedly. I'm going over to The Zone in the morning. (it rained all day today) They said they would get codes but not any real how to fix it info. If I get anything at all I'll post it tomorrow. thanks for the help. I did find a bit of motor oil in the air cleaner. The AC was supposed to have been replaced last oil change 3000 miles ago but it was pretty dirty. I have a new one that I'll put in in the morning. I started it up tonight and it was running a bit rough at about 900/1000 rpm. I didn't drive it as it was really raining hard. more tomorrow

bentwings · Mar 21, 2004

update

well the Zone ran their scanner and found that cyl 1 and 4 have a misfire. As it turns out the shop replaced these 2 plugs last week. The guy says that probably wires or the coil. So that's the plan except it is freezing cold to day so maybe tomorrow.thanks for the help. I'll keep posting as it turns out.

KULTULZ · Mar 21, 2004

Don't forget that the misfire can also be caused by bad injectors or injector drive in the PCM.

Did he give you the actual codes?

2-manytoyzs · Mar 24, 2004

Most common problem on those are MAF sensors. A bad sensor will give you a loss of power condition and will not set a code in the PCM. The repair procedure for that is to try a "known good part". The other most likely problem area I would look at is the catalytic converter plugging up or other exhaust restriction. You may want to loosen the header pipe before the cat to eliminate the restriction, or remove the cat and drive it warm (the neighbors will love that!) to verify a change in performance. Tap on the exaust system, cat, and muffler and listen for "marbles in the exaust" to veriify a broken down cat.
If your check engine lite is on you WILL have a code.
The fuel system will not set an EGR code.
If the TPS is bad or even out of spec it will set a TPS code.
You want your tech to give you the 5 digit codes and go from there.

killerformula · Mar 24, 2004

you mentioned your fuel filter helped a bit. Are you sure you don't just have really dirty injectors? Why not replace them or get them blown out?

K

need help from the tune up experts

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities