Car showing various fault codes Ford (Transit?)

ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.

ANSWER : Once a trouble code is erased, it cannot be retrieved. The engine controller does not have a "recycle bin" like they have on Windows. If the car still has a problem, the code will come back up after some driving. However, the controller will not turn on the CEL until it has seen the malfunction on two separate "trips." A "trip" is a driving cycle where the car is started cold, driven until it is fully warm and through a certain number of accelerations, and shut down. So you might not see the CEL for a couple of days. As for the "head gasket sealer," I wouldn’t hold out too much hope of that solving a problem. At the very best it might put off the symptoms for a short while. If you need help interpreting codes that come up, or solving a head gasket issue, contact Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office to read the codes on your car and help you decide what to do.

ANSWER : Hello – the P1631, if this is for a Ford Transit van as it appears, is most often a byproduct of a poor battery condition, with multiple cranking events before a successful start. I would check first for low starting voltage (while cranking). Resting voltage won’t tell you what you need to know. For assistance, I recommmend a hard starting inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs. If battery condition is satisfactory – the P1631 code is, as you question, a problem with the security system (key problem).

ANSWER : First, remove and reinstall the gas cap, clear the code P0455, and drive the vehicle for a few days and see if the code comes back.

If the code comes back on, then either the gas cap needs replaced or there is a evaporative leak around the fuel tank area. Check all of the fuel lines, hoses, and tubes and see if there is any wet areas.

If all of the lines, hoses, and tubes are tight, then the purge valve maybe damaged and leaking. If you need further assistance with your emission system leak detection, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you

ANSWER : Considering that you have multiple trouble codes present, I would recommend having a check engine light is on inspection performed by a qualified professional. Once this has been done, you will have a much better understanding of what is causing these trouble codes to exist in your vehicle. Consider YourMechanic for this inspection as it can be done from your home or office.

ANSWER : With a reoccurring code such as this, after replacing the sensor, it is time to test the wiring harness and connector at the sensor. The orange wire should have 5V. This would be the 5 volt reference. The black and light blue wire is the ground and the dark green and red wire is the MAP sensor signal the is returned to the PCM through the sensor. This code indicates the voltage from the MAP sensor to the PCM is greater than 4.9 volts or less than 2.28 volts. When this occurs, there is usually a short to ground or a short to power. You will need to check the voltage on the dk grn/red wire to know which it is.

A problem like this will often affect all or more than one sensor with that uses the 5V reference. If you find the 5V reference is high or low, it is often necessary to disconnect each sensor that uses the 5V reference while monitoring the reference signal. When the signal changes back to 5v and not above 4.9 or below 2.28 volts, you have found the bad sensor.

If once you have checked all of this you have not found the source of the short to ground or power, it is time to suspect the PCM. You will want to check the 5v reference, grounds and power pins directly at the PCM by back probing at the PCM connector.

This can be quite an undertaking to diagnose such a problem. If you lucky, you will find a wire that is broken or something along those lines. If you should require further assistance with this, I recommend the following inspection; Car is not starting inspection.

Good luck!

ANSWER : All of these codes (P0121, P0638, P2106, and P2110) point specifically to problems with the throttle control systems. This means that it will be unsafe to drive at all until it is diagnosed properly and repaired. You may need a new throttle body assembly. I absolutely do not recommend driving it.

If you need assistance with getting this fixed, consider contacting a certified technician who has the necessary tools and experience to properly diagnose your trouble codes. Once this is done, an accurate repair can be made and your car will be suitable for the road once again.