Engine - MIL ON/DTC's P0300/P0306 Set

Article No.
96-10-9

05/06/96

LAMP - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P0300 THROUGH P0306 DISPLAYED - 3.0L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 1/2/96

FORD:
1996 TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1996 SABLE

ISSUE:
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0300 through P0306 stored in continuous memory. The MIL activation may be caused by intermittent engine spark performance.

ACTION:
Perform normal diagnostic routines as described in the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnostic (PC/ED) Manual. If the condition still exists, then refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

2 AND 4 VALVE ENGINES - FUEL QUALITY

Vehicles built before 9/15/95 and sold after 10/1/95 and vehicles that spend considerable time (one month or more) before being sold are suspect for fuel quality. If the vehicle is on its first or second tank of fuel or fuel is suspect, drain fuel and replace with known good quality grade 87 octane fuel.

2 AND 4 VALVE ENGINES - CALIBRATION

Check to verify that the vehicle has been updated to the R-11 calibration for the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Update the PCM using Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS). Refer to TSB Article 96-3-5 for 2 Valve and Article 96-3-6 for 4 Valve for performance improvement with the updated calibrations.

2 AND 4 VALVE ENGINES - CLEAR PCM

Clear existing codes from the PCM. Then perform a part throttle vehicle load test and verify with SBDS that codes do not reappear.

2 VALVE ENGINES ONLY - HARMONIC BALANCER ASSEMBLY

^ If the vehicle was built in Atlanta (11th VIN digit is an "A") through 1/2/96, observe the crank Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) pulley. If the FEAD pulley wobbles out of plane/axis, replace the pulley (F3DZ-6A312-A).

^ Examine the Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (EDIS) ignition pulse ring fastener-joint integrity. The pulse ring is fastened to the vibration damper. If the pulse ring is loose or damaged (loose rings emit a "ringing" noise), replace the vibration damper assembly (F5TZ-6316-B).

2 AND 4 VALVE ENGINES - SPARK PLUG

Unless there is a misfire present at time of diagnosis, do not change the spark plugs. If there is no misfire at idle, test for misfire under part throttle operation.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F3DZ-6A312-A Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) Pulley
F5TZ-6316-B Vibration Damper

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 96-3-5, 96-3-6

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

961009A Replace Fuel 0.5 Hr.

961009B Replace Crankshaft Pulley 0.5 Hr.
(Not To Be Used With
Operation C)

961009C Replace Vibration Damper 0.7 Hr.
And Crankshaft Pulley (Not
To Be Used With
Operation B)

961009DT Replace 2 Or More Spark 0.9 Hr.
Plugs - 3.0L MFI

961009D Replace 1 Spark Plug - 0.3 Hr.
3.0L MFI

961009ET Replace 2 Or More Spark 0.9 Hr.
Plugs - 3.0L DOHC

961009E Replace 1 Spark Plug - 0.4 Hr.
3.0L DOHC

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
6A312 02

OASIS CODES: 206000, 609000, 609600, 629400, 698298