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Unknown engine fault code. Need Help!


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johnnyg
New User

Sep 14, 2006, 7:55 PM

Post #1 of 7 (9449 views)
post icon Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus SES That I purchased about a year and a half ago. It has spent most of the time in the shop. After a few hundred dollors in misc. repairs I cant drive it now because the inspection is expired. I cant get it inspected because of an engine code. The man at Autozone say's I have to go to Ford to get the answer to what the code means. The code he gave me is P1633. The guy at the repair shop says it has something to do with the transmission and the transmission needs to be replaced. I'm broke and need the car running. Can anyone help me with this?


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Sep 15, 2006, 1:03 AM

Post #2 of 7 (9444 views)
Re: Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

I’m not sure but on a Ford I believe a P1633 has something to do with the “keep alive voltage” being to low or not there at all.
The keep alive voltage is like your radio’s stations memory but for the ECM (computer); it’s there so the ECM will remember all settings and learned adjustments that the ECM has made after the ignition has been shut off.
I’m at home right know so I can’t confirm any of this but I’ll check when I’m back at work and I’ll post back.
If I forget; reply to this post to bring it back to the top of the forum.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"






way2old
Veteran / Moderator
way2old profile image

Sep 15, 2006, 4:34 AM

Post #3 of 7 (9441 views)
Re: Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

Dan is correct. way2go Dan.Wink

P1633 - Keep Alive Power Voltage Too Low Indicates that the Keep Alive Power (KAPWR) circuit has experienced a power interrupt.
  • Open KAPWR circuit
  • Damaged PCM
  • Intermittent KAPWR Circuit


From the 2001 Taurus manual.



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


johnnyg
New User

Sep 17, 2006, 10:11 PM

Post #4 of 7 (9427 views)
Re: Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

Thank You Sir!
Is this something I can fix or do I have to take it to a dealership?


johnnyg
New User

Sep 17, 2006, 10:15 PM

Post #5 of 7 (9426 views)
Re: Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

Thank you way2old!
How do I figure out what one of the three things it is? Will I need to take it to a dealership after all?
Thanks again to You and Dan!


way2old
Veteran / Moderator
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Sep 18, 2006, 4:44 AM

Post #6 of 7 (9423 views)
Re: Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

A wiring diagram and a good multimeter (volt/ohm/amp) and you can trace the problem yourself.



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


DanD
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Sep 18, 2006, 5:05 AM

Post #7 of 7 (9423 views)
Re: Unknown engine fault code. Need Help! Sign In

Taking the car in somewhere is something you have to answer for yourself. Ask yourself this; am I willing to purchase the equipment, diagnostic information and then spend the time to learn the system to repair this myself?
Things like reading and understanding a wiring diagram; which may sound easy but can take you on a wild goose chase if you misinterpret who feeds what where.
To tell you the truth with me sitting here at a keyboard; I wouldn’t know where to tell you to begin looking. There are so many could-be scenarios that I would want the car sitting here and then it still could be quite a choir to find the cause.
When a vehicle with this sort of problem comes into the shop; I have to tell my customers that this is going to be a strait time repair. In other words I check the time when I begin and then again after I’ve found the problem. Whether it takes me minutes or hours; that’s what it took. If the customer is not willing to go alone with this; then I politely step away from the repair.

Just a side note on emission testing.
I don’t think a check engine light being on should stop the vehicle from being tested. Yes the computer has seen something to turn the light on but it doesn’t necessarily mean that emission will be affected. Here in Ontario we are allowed to test the vehicle with the light on, if it passes it passes. We are to warn the owner that he does have a potential problem and it should be looked into, document this on his invoice and send them on their way.
Now if the “Smog Patrol” stops them for a random check, they maybe in for a fine or a court date, if they haven’t done anything towards finding the cause of the light.
The Smog patrols are teams of inspectors that have mobile test equipment. They travel around the Province; randomly pull vehicles over and do roadside check/tests. If they discover that you’ve been warned by a test facility during your last test, then you may find yourself being sent to court to explain why the light is still on.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"










 
 
 






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