More DPFE Sensor information (updated with photos)

[boca101]

One dumb question, i guess that if this DPFE sensor is giving you problems the Check Engine light must come up doesn't it??????

[GapBoyPCS]

Originally Posted by boca101

One dumb question, i guess that if this DPFE sensor is giving you problems the Check Engine light must come up doesn't it??????

Not necessarily. There have been a bunch of us who have had symptoms of a DPFE sensor malfunction, yet no Check Engine Light. A few days later, the light MAY come on, but it's not guaranteed.

[01yellazx3]

I have a 2003 ZX3, and mine is mounted on the firewall like the old ones I have 29k miles on my car, and it doesn't stumble consistently or anything, BUT, it idles a little erratic - kind of surges. And theres been 3 or 4 times under load or WOT where the car would stumble like crazy before going. For the past 3-4k miles the car has felt weaker, or like a loss of power I guess, when I'm just normal driving...no extreme stumble or anything, just feels like something is holding it back I can't really explain it.

Anyway, possibly the start of a failing dpfe? Anyone have the part # for the new one? I'm just gonna fix it myself, I'm under warranty but my dealer isn't exactly helpful as is, and if they can't immediately "replicate the problem", they'll send me on my way.

[Slvr01ZX3]

Quick Question. I removed my Egr System Via a Block off plate and SCT and discarded my system. Now I'm thinking about re-installing a system and mine has the EGR regulator Mounted on firewall (Kinda a Oval looking thing with 2 small hoses). Am I able to install any EGR to this or change it some how?? I want the most simple thing to do. This is only for emission testing. 01 ZX3

[Silonius]

Originally Posted by 01yellazx3

I have a 2003 ZX3, and mine is mounted on the firewall like the old ones I have 29k miles on my car, and it doesn't stumble consistently or anything, BUT, it idles a little erratic - kind of surges.

Anyway, possibly the start of a failing dpfe? Anyone have the part # for the new one? I'm just gonna fix it myself, I'm under warranty but my dealer isn't exactly helpful as is, and if they can't immediately "replicate the problem", they'll send me on my way.

Mine does the same, and has even stalled at idle a few times. Is this symptoms of a dying DPFE? Should I replace it or use the #2 hack?

Thanks,

Seth

[bluebyutoo]

Going on DPFE #2 on my car. 25k on the first. Made it to 48K on the second one

[jaimz]

wow guys, i'm at 125,000 miles and i have the stock DPFE! i have a 2002 zx3

the thing is. i'm pretty sure that i'm now having these problems. i'll be cruising on down the road or at an idle the radio will shut off then the car will stutter really bad and seem to loose all eletrical power the (!) light (or the "oh Sh*t" light as i call it) will come on then all my power comes back i know the alternator isn't dying because i'm constantly keep tabs on my voltage.

i'm guessing thats my problem it's the only thing i've seen that comes close to that!

[logistiker]

I just got a CEL a week ago and it was registering a problem with the egr which is basically the DPFE sensor failing. I tried to explain it to the local mechanic but I guess he's too retarded because he said there was nothing wrong and just happily took my money for the test and turned off the CEL saying nothing was wrong and that it was just a "hiccup". Well about 5 hours after he turned it off, guess what? It turned back on exactly when it was doing the fluttering (keeping the speed at a constant rate). So at any rate I have an 01 focus and I was thinking about replacing the sensor myself. So has anyone in here attempted to replace it themselves on an 01 focus? This is the one with the DPFE mounted next to the EGR valve. I tried messing with it a little but the hoses connected to the bottom of it seem pretty well connected.

[logistiker]

Well I figured it out. I gave the sensor a good yank with a wrench and it came right off. I installed the new sensor and it works like new. Can you believe Ford wanted $200 to install this POS? Ha!

[Sharply_Focused]

My car has been exibiting a lot of the same symptoms for a while now and today is the day I got a CEL. I stopped at AutoZone and had them run a scan on it and sure enough it read a P0401.

My question is, since I plan on fixing this myself, where is the best (cheapest) place to get the right version of the part? Should I get one from the dealer or hit up Murray's or AutoZone again?

[ax0n]

Sensors like the O2 Sensor, DPFE, TPS, MAFS, etc, I usually recommend sucking it up and going with the dealer-supplied part.

[CDfocus]

if you want the dealer to replace the DPFE then just pour water into the DPFE when it is still hot and put it back on. that is how they go bad anyway moisture builds up in it and fries it. I work for a ford dealer and I have replaced several under warranty.

[GE-S2]

I have cel on with p0401, is it the dpfe or the egr? or both? which one should i replace? Need help thanks...

[fun2driv]

I have the EGR low flow CEL now too. From my reading it seems like it is more likely the DPFE. I read through this http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=66 and it says it will cause the CEL. So if I already have the code what will this do? Since I have the stumble at steady speed does that mean it is the DPFE? What test can I do to determine or make the stumble go away or should I just replace the sensor and see? Btw I have 154k kms and more than likely it's the original. I got the 01 ZTS at 79k kms.

[ax0n]

Honestly, if your sensor lasted that long, I'd get a new sensor unless you plan on doing some PCM tuning. In that case, I'd tell your tuner that you want EGR disabled.

[limey444]

I have a 2001 ZX3 and have a hesitation problem. I have changed the DPFE, actuator and EGR valve with no change.

The hesitation/stumbling/jumping only seems to occur during acceleration mainly in 2,3,4 gear but disappears in 5 th gear.

It is highly agrevating so if anyone has an idea i would greatly appreciate it.

[limey444]

I recently chaned the spark plugs for Motorcraft and the plug wires with Bosch.

The hesitation / jumping / stumbling is still happening. It seems to happen in 2nd slightly then 3rd and slightly in 4th around 2000 RPM. Totally dissappears in 5th though?

[MyCoolRide]

I have that problem too, although only a few times when accelerating in 2nd and it is very minor. I got a CEL last night and did DPFE workaround #2. Cruising at constant speed is much better but still the nearly imperceptable stumble when accelerating in 2nd.

Is the CEL supposed to go off after doing Workaround #2?

[SuperFlea]

try reseting the computor. Discconect the battery for about 5 minutes.

[krick]

I have a 2001 Focus ZX3. My Check Engine Light came on about 2 weeks ago, shortly after exhibiting the "fluttering throttle" problem around 45mph. I had no idea what the problem was so I took the car to my mechanic for service. They claimed to have replaced some kind of "EGR Switch". I haven't actually popped the hood and looked to see what they did but they must have done something because the CEL is no longer lit. However, the fluttering is still there, it's just less pronounced and moved up to the 50 - 60mph range so I'm guessing that they didn't actually replace the DPFE sensor.

I googled a bit today and found the part number for the new sensor...

4U7Z-9J460-AA

...and a place that sells them for $28.29 + $7.50 shipping...

http://www.worldpartsexpress.com/


I saw some talk in the forums about the connector on the new sensors being different (as well as some of the 01 models having the non-firewall mounted versions) so I'm hoping this will fit. Or at the very least, I can make it fit by modifying the connector if it is different.

[skywalker7th]

I have a 2001 ZXE, the car runs fine, no stumbles nor something like that, I have the CEL on, when I get it diagnosed it tells me that it is the EGR valve, I have replaced it twice and still have the CEL on and it still tells me it's the EGR, I was reading this thread about the DPFE, my focus has the newer one (not on the firewall) could that be the issue?, also doing workaround #2 does the EGR valve get plugged?, I saw it on focushacks.com, it mentions the two metal tubes which are the "REF" and "HI" but nothing about the EGR valve on top, please let me know, thanks

[blackgrrl23]

Originally Posted by krick

I have a 2001 Focus ZX3. My Check Engine Light came on about 2 weeks ago, shortly after exhibiting the "fluttering throttle" problem around 45mph. I had no idea what the problem was so I took the car to my mechanic for service. They claimed to have replaced some kind of "EGR Switch". I haven't actually popped the hood and looked to see what they did but they must have done something because the CEL is no longer lit. However, the fluttering is still there, it's just less pronounced and moved up to the 50 - 60mph range so I'm guessing that they didn't actually replace the DPFE sensor.

I googled a bit today and found the part number for the new sensor...

4U7Z-9J460-AA

...and a place that sells them for $28.29 + $7.50 shipping...

http://www.worldpartsexpress.com/


I saw some talk in the forums about the connector on the new sensors being different (as well as some of the 01 models having the non-firewall mounted versions) so I'm hoping this will fit. Or at the very least, I can make it fit by modifying the connector if it is different.

Thanks for the info! I need to order another!

[Goobah]

would this be the reason why at 2000 rpms my car is having some fluctuating i have 55k on my car and have never replaced my egr or dpfe. but my cel came on and it runs like a dog when my ac is on.
please help.

[SuperFlea]

like it bogs and has no power, but then it launches slowly?

[Goobah]

when i am stead at 2000 rpms it will bounce between 1900 and 2100 and no power in 2nd gear low end.