I've posted twice on this subject and nobody can help me, The "check engine light" was flashing this code. The car was bucking and surging under light throttle. When I open the throttle all out, the car takes off like crazy, like there is nothing wrong. Yet, when I try to drive it nice, it surges? The funny thing is that it never does it in the morning!! It only seems to happen at night.!!! its code 17 What can I do to correct this? I know there is someone out there who is smart enough to figure this out!! Please help, mike

 

change your 02 sensor. Thats the error because your ecu is getting feedback cuts from the sensor. spend 50 bucks and get a new one from an 86 escort.

Danny

 

ok, so i need a new o2 sensor? Thats easy enough to fix, but, I dont get the 86 escort thing? thanks , mike

 

Just go to any local auto store. You should be able to get a Bosch O2 sensor for around $40-50.

 

I cant believe its that simple, I've been digging around the all the lines and they all look good, The car had a new motor put into it 10 k ago, you'd think it would run ok.

 

This is the FD we're talking about here. When everything is OK, then something is wrong.

 

funny jon!!

 

haha, go to kragen or pepboys and ask for the a ford 1986 escort 02 sensor. I think it's from the larger motor non-diesel. it should cost around 40-50 bucks and is a bosch product. It is a 3 wire sensor. I have to go look at it again to figure it all out. but it will react better than the factor one wire. You just ground one wire, and then get a 12V line to the other wire that turns on when the ignition is on etc.

Danny

 

Well, depending on who did the new/reman motor, they reuse as much as they can (if it was a dealership, they aren't changing anything else they don't have to). So, it's extremely doubtful that the O2 sensor was ever changed.

 

After reading the posts on error 17, I replaced the O2 sensor and, eurika, the stumble problem is gone. But after 600 miles or so, it seems to be back with a vengance. I first noticed it's return when the AC was running, but now its there even without the ac running. Can the O2 sensor get 'clogged' after so few miles, and if so by what? Sometimes the engine runs great, others, it runs like @#%*. When you squeeze the gas in a tight turn you never know if it's going to bring on power smoothly, or abruptly send the rear around.

 

Are you sure you're not experiencing a bad case of the 3k hesitation?

Also, you should look under Section F in the service manual with your problems -- there will be a list of potential sources.

 

It's not the 3K hesitation, Fermiliar with that. It happens at all rpm's below 3K. above 3K, engine smooth as silk, but 3K+ all the time seems to attract every cop in the county and attract the car to every gas station in sight. It's fun though.

 

Where is a good 12V source for the Bosch 3 wire O2 sensor? Should it be fused?

 

Well..... I put in a new O2 sensor, replaced the ECU, and 250 miles later, the check engine light is back on, reading code 17. crap! it must be the wire.

 

Finally found it. The vacume hose going to the vacume chamber was pinched aginst the turbo solanoid, and slowly wearing through. It finally wore a hole in the elbow and when replaced the error code went away. Idles smooth, runs a constant speed without any missing, no longer running overly rich, power and throtle responce much inproved. Just goes to show that when a rotory runs funky, check the vacume.

 

nice saying with the funky line

 

3 wire o2???? wth?

i spent 15 bucks and went to advanced and bought a universal o2 sensor and just spliced the 1 (only wire ) back to the original sensor harness,

 

Where can I get an FD manual online??

 

http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/3rd_gen_manuals.htm