Ford Probe, Mazda 626 & MX6 FAQ


B) Sourcing Components & Regular Maintenance


ECU Code Reading

ECU Code Readings
    93-96 model cars - DIY reading is possible, OBD-I used.
    93-96 UK cars - lack a Check Engine Light, CEL, but DIY code reading possible, OBD-I used.
    96+ model cars - OBD-II capable reader is required.

For non-UK 93-96 cars with CEL:
    Items required:
    6" of cable, insulated, preferably solid core of 2.5mm^2.

    Procedure
    1. Open the hood/bonnet and locate the black oblong diagnostic connector behind the battery with "DIAGNOSTIC" printed in raised type on the top.

    2. Opening this connector, inside the lid is a schematic of the connections. It is possible to scope O2 sensors and various other systems from here but we will be limited to code reading.
    Locate the terminals "TEN" & "GND", notice there is a "B+" terminal nearby which is a 30A +12V feed from the battery and no loose strands of wire must touch it.

    3. Ensure the ignition is off, the handbrake is applied and the gearbox is in Neutral or Park.

    4. Take a piece of Insulated wire, approximately 2.5mm^2, and strip off 1/4"/0.5cm of insulation from each end. Form the wire into a loop about the middle to create a jumper-wire. Solid wire is preferred.

    5. Connect this jumper-wire across the connections labled "GND" & "TEN". Ensure no other connectors are connected, and no strands are wandering about if stranded wire is used.

    6. Turn the ignition to ON but do not start the car, watch the CEL as it flashes out any codes. If it does not flash confirm the connections, if it still does not flash then no codes have been stored by the ECU.

    7. Codes are flashed out according to the lowest code first, and repeated after a pause of 4 seconds. The format is akin to morse code, in that a short flashes represent 1s and longer flashes 10s. Thus flashes of --- --- - - - - would represent a code of 24 for the (rear) oxygen sensor. Oxygen sensor failures are the most common cause of CELs.

    8. To clear codes, disconnect the negative battery terminal for 2 minutes with a door left open or apply the brakes.

    9. Turn the Ignition to OFF before removing the jumper wire, and ensure when removing the jumper wire no other connections are touched.

    10. If more than one code is present, it can be worth clearing all codes and then checking them again to see which re-occur. It is not uncommon for sporadic codes to appear under certain fault conditions - so requiring them to come back as confirmation is strongly advised.

For cars without CEL (eg, UK cars):
    Items required:
    6" of cable, insulated, preferably solid core of 2.5mm^2.
    A standard LED (Light Emitting Diode) & 1k-ohm resistor (soldered to the cathode/-ve of the LED) or a standard "12V LED".

    Method
    1. Open the hood/bonnet and locate the black oblong diagnostic connector behind the battery with "DIAGNOSTIC" printed in raised type on the top.

    2. Opening this connector, inside the lid is a schematic of the connections. It is possible to scope O2 sensors and various other systems from here but we will be limited to code reading.
    Locate the terminals "TEN" & "GND", notice there is a "B+" terminal nearby which is a 30A +12V feed from the battery and no loose strands of wire must touch it.

    3. Ensure the ignition is off, the handbrake is applied and the gearbox is in Neutral or Park.

    4. Take a piece of Insulated wire, approximately 2.5mm^2, and strip off 1/4"/0.5cm of insulation from each end. Form the wire into a loop about the middle to create a jumper-wire. Solid wire is preferred.

    5. Connect this jumper-wire across the connections labled "GND" & "TEN". Ensure no other connectors are connected, and no strands are wandering about if stranded wire is used.

    6. Connect the Anode/+ve of the LED+Resistor or 12V-LED to the B+ terminal, and the free resistor end (Cathode/-ve) to the FEN terminal. Ensure that nothing else is connected or accidentally connected as B+ is a 30A 12V supply.

    7. Turn the ignition to ON but do not start the car, watch the LED as it flashes out any codes. If it does not flash confirm the connections, if still not flash then you have no codes stored.

    8. Codes are flashed out according to the lowest code first, and repeated after a pause of 4 seconds. The format is akin to morse code, in that a short flashes represent 1s and longer flashes 10s. Thus flashes of --- --- - - - - would represent a code of 24 for the (rear) oxygen sensor. Oxygen sensor failures are the most common cause of CELs.

    9. To clear codes, disconnect the negative battery terminal for 2 minutes with a door left open or apply the brakes.

    10. Turn the Ignition to OFF before removing the jumper wire, and ensure when removing the jumper wire no other connections are touched.

    11. If more than one code is present, it can be worth clearing all codes and then checking them again to see which re-occur. It is not uncommon for sporadic codes to appear under certain fault conditions - so requiring them to come back as confirmation is strongly advised.

Common Codes:
    12 - Throttle Position Sensor.
    Throttle Position Sensor failure usually accompanies poor or sluggish performance that is markedly poor. The sensor itself is a carbon track which can wear or fail resulting in voltage spikes. Such voltage spikes cause the ECU to go into "limp mode" substituting values for the TPS by interpolating other sensor data.

    24 - Rear Oxygen Sensor.
    Very common from 60k miles onwards, causing a reduction in fuel mileage due to slightly rich running. Replacements are 45ukp/55-60$US for Universal equivalents which splice into the old sensors connector, rising to 100-120$US for one with factory connector on it (if the old is not re-used).



Ford Probe, Mazda 626 & MX6 FAQ

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