check engine light

fishmac135 · 07-25-2004, 10:24 PM

My 94 explorer has a check engine light after it has been running for a couple of minutes. I have never owned a Ford before this one so I don't know what to do first. In the past I could retrieve codes from my chevy by installing a jumper wire in the ALDL, but I don't even know where to start on my explorer. I don't take my vehicles to the shop because I can usually fix them myself. Can somebody point me in the right direction?

*jayhawkexplorer* · 07-25-2004, 10:35 PM

You can buy an OBD-I scanner for relatively low price, like less the $50 or you can go to Advance Auto Parts or AutoZone to have them scan it. O'Reilly does not scan, at least the ones here don't. Just remember that a CEL code can mean a lot of things and its not necessarily the problem you think it is. For example, it may tell you that your oxygen sensor is bad when the problem really is that you're running rich and the sensor is reading bad because of it. CEL's are tough to diagnose but a scanner is a good way to start. Welcome to the site, try the search function, it will yield a ton of info because with 26,000 members, chances are somebody's had the same problem you have at some point.

Robb · 07-25-2004, 10:41 PM

If you pick yourself up a Haynes manual, there is a procedure for creating a jumper to get the codes, and a list of what the codes mean. This is the $13 way of doing it. A Haynes manual is a great investmest in general for your vehicle.

The $35 way is to pick up an OBD-I reader at Wal-Mart or an auto parts store, and use that.

MrShorty · 07-26-2004, 01:49 PM

One easy to follow description of the KOEO test can be had at www.fordfuelinjection.com
A more complete description of both the KOEO and KOER tests can be had at www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html

07-25-2004, 10:24 PM	#1
fishmac135 Wannabe Elite Explorer Fort Worth, TX '94 XLT Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	check engine light My 94 explorer has a check engine light after it has been running for a couple of minutes. I have never owned a Ford before this one so I don't know what to do first. In the past I could retrieve codes from my chevy by installing a jumper wire in the ALDL, but I don't even know where to start on my explorer. I don't take my vehicles to the shop because I can usually fix them myself. Can somebody point me in the right direction?

07-25-2004, 10:35 PM	#2
jayhawkexplorer Elite Explorer Mission, Kansas '97 XLT Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,225 Vehicle Specs	You can buy an OBD-I scanner for relatively low price, like less the $50 or you can go to Advance Auto Parts or AutoZone to have them scan it. O'Reilly does not scan, at least the ones here don't. Just remember that a CEL code can mean a lot of things and its not necessarily the problem you think it is. For example, it may tell you that your oxygen sensor is bad when the problem really is that you're running rich and the sensor is reading bad because of it. CEL's are tough to diagnose but a scanner is a good way to start. Welcome to the site, try the search function, it will yield a ton of info because with 26,000 members, chances are somebody's had the same problem you have at some point. __________________ Former owner of a '97 Explorer XLT, I let her go on 5/31/06 Had a Mazda Protege5 for 32 days before it got totaled by a fellow driver, now owner of an '03 Mazda 6s.

07-26-2004, 01:49 PM	#4
MrShorty Wannabe Elite Explorer Spanish Fork, UT 92 XLT and '87 Bronco II Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 4,934 Vehicle Specs	One easy to follow description of the KOEO test can be had at www.fordfuelinjection.com A more complete description of both the KOEO and KOER tests can be had at www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html __________________ Mr. Shorty 92 XLT 4x4 87 Bronco II XLT 4x4 '98 Chev K1500 Suburban SLT 4x4

07-25-2004, 10:41 PM	#3
Robb Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 10,398 Vehicle Specs	If you pick yourself up a Haynes manual, there is a procedure for creating a jumper to get the codes, and a list of what the codes mean. This is the $13 way of doing it. A Haynes manual is a great investmest in general for your vehicle. The $35 way is to pick up an OBD-I reader at Wal-Mart or an auto parts store, and use that.