Windstar 2000 check engine

Hi,
I have a 2000 Ford Windstar LX (180,000km). A few days after I bought the car, the check engine light turned on and still remains. I already drove about 3000 km with the light on and the car is doing fine. The car dealer said, that I should change the spark plugs.
I didn't do that, but did a diagnose scan with the following codes:
P0304, P0171, P0174 and P1309 ?
They told me that they have to do more diagnosis to say exactly what they have to fix... But that will cost a lot of money....
Does anybody have any ideas about that?

Thanks for your help!

Matthias

Codes are a great first step

There is a TSB that addresses 171/174. Chances are that you may need to perform the TSB. Do a search under 171, 174, isolator bolts, TSB 03-16-1 and be prepared for a lot of reading.

The 171/174 are often caused by lean readings and is often the result of an intake leak. The TSB above addresses the leak.

P0304 is a misfire on Cylinder 4. This could be caused by a lot of things including bad spark plugs, ignition wires.... but also due to clogged EGR ports. This goes hand in hand with the above TSB and the opportunit to unclog the ports is there when the TSB is performed.

P1309 is some circuit malfunction related to misfie monitoring. I don't know anything about it but perhaps it may clear up when the other items are looked at.


If the light turned on a few days after you bought it my guess is that whoever you bought it from was aware of the problems and simply erased the codes. It usually takes a couple of days to return. You may wish to go back to discuss it.

I have drove my 2000 for a year now with the light on. I have taken it to a auto parts shop and they looked up the codes for free. Of coarse they are very vage on what the actual problem is. It seemed to be somthing with the oxy censor or emmisions. Any how I keep an eye on the gas millage and it has stayed consestant at 20 mph average since I bought the thing in 2003. If it would drop I would start to worry more. This is probally not the best way to go about it. I could be causing damadge to the motor. By the way ford told me at least 300 dollars to repaire. No thanks!