maaaan, code 21 this is gettin old

[deftsound]

alright im still pullin the damn code 21, malfunctioning ect sensor, replaced ect sensor and reset the ecc and still pulling that damn code, that and 41 and 91....WIERD, i must have a vac leak or soemthing, i wish i could just know for sure if i have my vac lines wired right...

 

[5.0Droptop]

21 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor out of range - ECT

41 (R) System lean - Fuel control

91 (R, M) System running lean - Fuel control


Id say you need some fuel pressure to richen it up. and not sure why your ect is trippping codes. What tstat you run?

 

[giddyup306]

Check the wiring to the ect sensor. Ground the two terminals with a jumper wire and then read it open. You should get a reading of ~-40* and ~300*+. If not your wiring or comp is bad.

 

[deftsound]

just replaced my t-stat with a 180 degree one

 

[deftsound]

giddyup, im a newb to electrical stuff, can you explain to me exactly what i need to do and what i need to buy to do what you are saying i shoul do? Thanks, i really do appreciate.

 

[giddyup306]

Do you have access to a scan tool by chance?

 

[giddyup306]

Hmmm. I did some research on your codes and here's what I came up with. Something interesting.

According to Chiltons:

Code 21 (KOER):
Indicates that the engine coolant is not at normal operating temperature.

-ECT sensor problems
-wiring harness problems
-ECA problems


Code 21 (KOEO):
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is out of range.
-ECT sensor problems
-wiring harness problems
-ECA problems

Code 41* (KOER):
Indicates that the EGO sensor output voltage is always less than .5V ("lean") during the fuel test.
-EGO sensor problems
-wire harness problems
-ECA problems

Code 91 (KOER):
Indicates that the right EGO sensor output voltage is always less than .5V ("lean") during the fuel test (3.8L only)

-EGO sensor problems
- wire harness problems
- ECA problems

What I can't figure out is why it says that 91 is only a 3.8L code. Also if you are running RICH it will give you a LEAN code. Lots of us stangers run rich so I thought I'd throw that in.

 

[86T-Top]

Deftsound,

Make sure your car is at normal operating temperature b4 you run it for codes. If you scan it for codes when it is cold, it will give you code 21 temp out of range, becasue it is.

Mario

 

[Daggar]

Also with the ECT sensor. The sealant you use when putting it in should be of the electricly conducive type. Where it screws into the lower intake is your ground. If you used teflon tape or insluative "goo" you can run into problems.

 

[deftsound]

ok thanks guys, well what im seeing is that im getting a consistant eca problem. Ok this sounds dumb but what is the eca? Also, that would make sense im throwing code 21 because my radiator fluid is going somewhere and my car runs hot so i have to fill it up every tank of gas or so. Man, non stop problems. If i can find where the radiator fluid is going i think that will fix code 21. As far as the running lean (rich, i know its rich because if i so much as look in my hood the fumes burn my eyes), I have NO idea. I wish i knew where this vac leak was. It doesnt really idle rough, but when i first start it up it hesitates for a second and then has a small small, hesitant lope between like 50 rpms...I guess it could be an 02 sensor but i really doubt it because i already replaced one of them.

 

[deftsound]

i hope i dont have a cracked block

 

[deftsound]

wait the ect sensor screws into the lower intake??? When i replaced it it screwed into the coolant line...Man maybe i replaced something different....

 

[deftsound]

wait the ect sensor screws into the lower intake??? When i replaced it it screwed into the coolant line i think, it was a little copper piece and at the bottom it was like a pointed cone...Maybe i replaced something different...

 

[Daggar]

The shape you describe sounds right. Stock, it screws into the lower intake... It still screws into the lower intake on my GT-40 (though I hear that some GT-40 lowers do not have this fitting). You running aftermarket lower? If so your temp sensor may have been moved. If it's screwed into a rubber hose my question is: Where is it getting ground?

 

[deftsound]

wait man im gonna have to check this out, its not a rubber hose, its like a steel pipe sorta, but thats just off the top of my head i coudl be wrong, now, where in the lower intake is the ect sensor? I just changed my gaskets and i didnt see anything like an ect sensor....maybe i changed the wrong thing...are there more then one ect sensors or something?

 

[5.0Droptop]

the ect sensor is on the drivers side in the lower intake its near the front of the lower has and one wire to it. its near the act sensor in the #5 runner.

 

[deftsound]

wait it has one wire to it? Man the thing i replaced was the engine temp sensor, and it had a plug that plugged into it. Im gonna go see if i can find this ect sensor...i guess if it is malfunctioning it could definately be a source for a few of my problems...

 

[Daggar]

A bad ECT sensor could cause your codes for running lean as well. It's what tells the computer whether the car is warmed up or not. Once the car is warmed up and the computer changes modes (to warmed up mode) the air intake temp sensor in combination with your 02 sensors determine your AF mixture. In other words... the ECT acts more as a "switch" for the computer than an actual sensor.

 

[5.0Droptop]

Dagger, Thanks for posting that info I wasnt aware of this.

 

[Daggar]

Oh... and I neglected to mention the mass air sensor for you MAF guys (before the post get flamed.. hehe). Above still applies but the mass air sensor get tossed into the mix along with intake temp sensor and 02s (unless modified to eliminate 02s).