P1131 error code

Hi, Warren.

I looked that code up based on the vehicle information you mentioned and the code doesn't exist for this vehicle year/model.

On Ford vehicles, a P1131 is related to an upstream heated oxygen sensor. So, I need some clarification on what is happening because a heated O2 sensor really had nothing to do with the intake or a tune-up.

Let me know so I can help.

Take care of yourself.

Joe

Well, hello Joe.

Well, in the past i have changed the o2 sensor a lot. and i have even replace the mass air flow sensor a lot too (I was so used to replacing that i have a extra one sitting on my desk now, lol). When i read my scanner it said something like power train and then it had the code P1131. And like you said in my van repair book it doesn't even have this code written in there unless i over looked it. So just out of frustration alone i cleared the code just to see if it would come back again. I drove it to church etc and it didn't come back on, at least not yet anyway. I was told by many that it could be the intake manifold gasket needs to be replace etc. But if you and others on here don't think i should have it replaced then i won't. I know some people now that said they would do it for $500.00. Well, here is what happened: well, as some of you know i am in a wheelchair and i have this lift on here and it has been giving me some trouble here lately so i had to park my van for a week. So my van has been sitting that long. I drove it yesterday and check engine light came on as well as the ABS light came on too. The ABS light started coming on first and then the check engine light came on and it produced that error code i was telling you about. That's all that happened basically in a nut shell.

Hi,

The ABS could be a wheel speed sensor, low brake fluid, or a wiring issue. If the light is on, the ABS won't work. You will have traditional non-ABS brakes.

Now, the intake is something different. If the concern is a possible vacuum leak, which is about all that can happen, there are two ways to check it before spending the money to replace it.

First, you can simply check for a leak. Here is a link that shows how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

The second thing you can do is this. You mentioned that you have a scanner. If the scanner can read live data (while the engine is running), see what the short-term fuel trims are. By nature, they will jump around a bit. In a perfect world, they would be 0%. If you find they are in the positives above + 10%, that indicated the computer is trying to add fuel to a lean mixture. The lean mixture could indicate a vacuum leak and it could be at the manifold.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions or if there is something I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe

Well, i checked the brake fluid level and that is fine. it could be the other two things you said. I notice when i gently put on the brakes until i come to a complete stop the ABS light won't come on. but if i have to slam on the brakes come on it comes on (that's why they call it the ABS system i guess etc). Anyway i have a scanner but it's not one of those fancy kind. It only reads the codes and not live data. I need to get one of those kind too. Far as the check engine like goes i drove it yesterday and it didn't come on at all (smh). Glad it didn't come on but don't know why it came on last week. Far has finding any vacuum hoses loose or cracked all of that has been fixed. Now being in a wheelchair i have no idea that they are really fixed but the repair guy told me that they where etc., (most frustrating). Looks like i will have to get myself a scanner like that so that way i can really check and see for myself what is going on / have way know what is happening anyway. Any idea what is a good model of scanner i could buy?

Hi,

What I suggest is getting a scanner that can read OBD2 codes and the CAN. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all the computers/modules are tied together via a few wires. This type of scan tool can read codes regardless of the module storing them.

I'm suggesting this type because chances are you will be keeping it for years. The newer the vehicle, the bigger the CAN system. So, this will be something functional for years to come.

I looked on Amazon, and they aren't too expensive at all. Here is one I found that offers a lot of options. There are cheaper ones too. I don't own this one, but for the price, it appears to do a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-OBD-1100-Scan-Tool/dp/B082JQSN3R/ref=sr_1_41?dchild=1&keywords=auto+scan+tool+can&qid=1630550648&sr=8-41

Let me know your thoughts or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

Hi:
What I suggest is getting a scanner that can read OBD2 codes and the CAN. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all the computers/modules are tied together via a few wires. This type of scan tool can read codes regardless of the module storing them.

I'm suggesting this type because chances are you will be keeping it for years. The newer the vehicle, the bigger the CAN system. So, this will be something functional for years to come.

I looked on Amazon, and they aren't too expensive at all. Here is one I found that offers a lot of options. There are cheaper ones too. I don't own this one, but for the price, it appears to do a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-OBD-1100-Scan-Tool/dp/B082JQSN3R/ref=sr_1_41?dchild=1&keywords=auto+scan+tool+can&qid=1630550648&sr=8-41

Let me know your thoughts or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

Oh, thank you so much. And i can just afford that one too. I will have to order that ASAP. That should help a lot and yes, i plan on keeping it for a very long time. In fact my check engine light just came back on again today too.

Hi Warren,

You are very welcome. Let me know what you find and what I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe

Okay, i sure will let you know what i find out... Soon i will have the scanner on order so hopefully it shouldn't take too long to get here. In the mean time the check engine light went back off on its on again. I plan on doing a scan when the light is off and on and see what it tells me once i get the scanner. Anyway, thank you for helping me once again.

Happy to help. I hope you have a good Labor Day.

Joe

Sorry guys for such a late reply. My wheelchair frame broke so i had to get that fix. I had this guy that said he didn't know how to weld aluminum, but he could find someone that could, and he would get back to me when i would hear from his friend. But no response. So, i had to find someone who knows how to weld aluminum (tig welder). So finally, i find one and got that fixed. far as getting my scanner goes i haven't had the chance to order that yet because of that etc. And the P1131 code has gone off and come back on since i last checked in with you guys. But anyway, that's where things stand at the moment. :-( And again sorry for such a late reply. Hope you guys had a great Labor Day weekend.

Hi,

Good to hear from you. I hope everything is okay now. As far as the issue, I found info on the code in a different manual. The only concern is it jumps all over the place as far as diagnostics based on if other codes are found.

If you look below, I attached an example of what I'm referring to. Look at the end of the check and note it says go to a different test based on different variables.

Are you expecting to get a scanner soon?

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.

Hi,

Wow! i have never seen anything like that before. I had no idea that kind of test could be performed on a vehicle. The page in the middle that you are providing is very helpful but i don't know of anybody smart of enough to perform that test on my van, lol. And i can't reach it to perform it myself etc. Also too since the last time i wrote you guys the check engine light went back off again. Something isn't right. but i sure need to find out what. And far as the scanner goes. I plan on ordering it as soon as possible / hopefully before something else pops up. I will let you know as soon as it arrives. Surely this scanner will pen point something. Also, if someone doesn't mind could someone please tell me how many o2 sensors does a 2000 Ford e150 v6 4.2l van suppose to have. a friend of mind says it has 4 but i thought it only has 2.

Hi,

It should have four. I attached two pics below. The first is a pic of the exhaust system. I highlighted four places to check.

If they are there, then look at pic 2. It identifies the sensors positioning. I placed a B1 and B2 on the page. That stands for bank 1 and bank 2.

Now, there are two sensors for each bank. They are identified as

HO2 11 and HO2 12 and HO2 21 and HO2 22. The first number identifies the bank (engine side), and the second number is which sensor, the first or second from the engine.

To determine which one needs to be replaced, you need to know if it is bank 1 or 2 (handwritten) and then if it is sensor 1 or 2. For example, bank 1 sensor 1 would be the one I circled in blue.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Hello there. First i must say i love how you did your diagram. It was easy to follow. But i do have a question. in picture 2. the one you drew the blue circle around. Say for example if i was sitting in my van behind the steering wheel facing the front of my van the sensor labeled HO2S-11 would be on the passenger side of the van, correct? If so i have always thought that the driver's side of the van is where bank 1 was located. Also, by the way someone hooked a very low budget scanner to my van and the error code they come up with was the same p1131, but it also said it was upstream 02 sensor Bank 1. And if that is located in the where i think that is located in the photo i am going to try and upload on here. That sensor looks as though it has never been changed ever!! But the one in your diagram that says HO2S-21 has been replace. I will up load the photo. In the picture where you see my hand is lol the little red arrow points to the o2 sensor (on the passenger side of the van if you are sitting in it). that looks like it has never been changed ever. HO2S-22 and HO2-12 I can't see them at all of course etc. And in the picture that doesn't include my hand in it. you can see that one has been replaced. because it looks new and everything etc.

Hi,

Yes, the passenger's side of the vehicle is where bank 1 is located. Bank 1 contains cylinder 1. If you look below, there is a pic that shows cylinder locations. I placed a B1 and B2 to identify banks.

As far as the "upstream" sensor, that is correct. Sensor 1 is always upstream from the catalytic converter. Downstream will be after the converter.

If the pic with your hand in it is the left side of the engine, and I think it is, that is bank 1 sensor 1 that you say looks new. If it is, we need to get our hands on a live data scanner so we can determine if the sensor is good.

Let me know,

Joe

Hello there. well, no, the picture with my hand in it shows that it hasn't been touched. It's very old, it looks as though that thing has been there since the van was made, lol. Anyway, i am glad you brought up the scanner thing. Some said they may help me get a scanner and i was wanting to ask is this one right here a step up from the one you picked? https://tinyurl.com/3nj9f6y3 just asking is because i have never bought a scanner before etc. I want to get the best model i can for under $200.00 etc

Hi,

That looks like it would do a lot for you. However, I don't see anything that indicates it can read the CAN. Since this is a tool you will have for a long time, the newer the vehicle, the more you need the CAN diagnostic option. If I haven't mentioned it before, CAN stands for controller area network. This is a network made up of a few wires that attach all the modules/computers together. This type of scan tool should be able to retrieve codes from any module on the vehicle. I only mention this because as mentioned, you'll have it for a long time. As you get newer vehicles, the more likely this option will be needed or appreciated. LOL

Let me know if you have questions or if there is something I can do to help.

Take care of yourself,

Joe

Well as i said i have never order one of these before so. lol It's fine by me getting the scanner you talked about. Spending less money is okay with me. lol Well i will let you know when and if it arrives.

Hi,

I look forward to hearing from you. Also, in my mind, you will be happy to have one that can read the CAN-bus. If not today, in a few years from now. It certainly isn't going away. LOL

Take care.

Joe

lol You're right it sure isn't going away, lol. Well, talk to you later. and thank you for taking the time to help me once again. Updates soon (i hope).

Hi,

I'm happy to help. I just hope I do. LOL Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe

Hey guys, i just wanted to say sorry it took so long to order a scanner but i finally did. It is supposed to be here between the 15-20th of this month. I order the one you guys suggested too. so, hope it will get here ASAP. :-)

Hi,

No problem whatsoever. Let me know what you find when it comes. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe

Hello Joe, I plan on changing this 02 sensor myself if necessary. I know i can get to this one. I sure will let you know what happens. I am very curious myself. I hope its just a 02-sensor problem because i have been quoted for an intake manifold gasket replacement/ repair in the ballpark of $850.00 - $953.00 (for the lower ones and the upper ones). I looked at the 02-sensor bank 1 sensor 1 and it looks as if it has never been changed ever etc. Anyway, i will keep you posted.

Hi,

Thanks for the update. I will watch for the results.

Take care,

Joe

Well i finally got my scanner. It came in finally but now, but i haven't had to use the new scanner yet because i injured myself some kind of way getting to the 02 sensor. I fractured my right knee. Not to worry guys though my knee has already been operated on and i am okay. just know we did get the old 02 sensor out and the new one is in there. Right after me and my mother finished putting the new 02 sensor in there i went to the hospital etc . So, while i was gone someone went in and erased the code p0133 that it was reading before. Or i may have erased it in my hast to get to the hospital. So, the new sensor is in there and the check engine light is off now. So, should i still read the short-term fuel trims or not? and i have a question about this scanner. It says not to have your motor running while scanning but if it's supposed to read live data how is it going to read live data if you don't have the motor running? Pictures below on the old 02 sensor on it and the new scanner. That 02 sensor has Ford written on it. now that's old.

Hi,

Wow! How did you hurt your knee? Also, as far as the scanner is concerned, if it isn't running, live data isn't available. I suspect it indicated to leave the engine off when checking for codes only. Most are designed that way.

If the check engine light stays off, there is no need for further testing. If it does, however, let me know the fuel trims and if the same code has returned.

Take care of your knee!!! And, let me know if I can help in any way.

Joe

Here is how i hurt my knee: Anyway, my mother and I were working on my van. We were replacing what is called a 02 sensor. I was sitting in the driver’s seat of my van, and I noticed she was having problems loosening a bolt, so I decided to get on the floor of my van and help her out. So, I lowered my driver’s seat down as low as it could go. So, I had two choices I could get out of my driver’s seat either to my right or to my left. I went to my left going between two seats and the wheelchair lift post was there too. Now I got out of my driver’s seat, and I have no Idea what happened to my right leg. But the left leg landed on the carpet of the van with no problem. What happened to my right leg I have no idea what happened to it? It might have hit something, when you can't feel in your legs it can cause all kinds of problems if you're not careful etc.

Scanner: The manual what came with that scanner is only 15 pages. And none of the error codes follow the format P0133 etc. These have words as error messages for this scanner. But i will have to get used to it etc. Well, okay, i will let you know Joe (Guys).

Removing the 02 sensor: Oh yeah i had to end up using one of those 02 sensor sockets to get the old 02 sensor out. I am sure you guys know all about them. Here is a picture of what the old 02 sensor looked like while still in the van. We sprayed it with wd40 and let it sit for a while. and with a 02-sensor socket eventually it came out etc. We had to cut the wire to it to get the 02 socket to work on it of course. But i am sure you guys know all about that too.

Hi,

I hope your leg is starting to feel better. Ugh!!! I wouldn't want that to happen to me.

As far as the scanner is concerned, let me know if the light returns. Also, the O2 socket I have absolutely used a thousand times. They work!!!

Take care and let me know what I can do to help.

Joe