93 ex runs rough under load | Page 2 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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93 ex runs rough under load

When's the last time you changed your fuel filter?

When you replaced your MAF did you reset your computer by unplugging your battery for 5-10 minutes?

If you haven't done both of these, do them. I had some problems with breaking up under load and those two things fixed it.
 



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I had this exact same problem on a '98 Dodge 1500, and I changed every sensor (except for two), did all the things you have done, and even rebuilt the engine (twice) before a dealer finally told me the problem... crankshaft position sensor. I had changed every sensor except for the camshaft position sensor and the crankshaft position sensor, because they were the most expensive ($150 for camshaft, $300 for crankshaft) and were dealer only parts. I also thought, either they work, or they don't, no in-between.

I don't know if your '93 Explorer has either of these sensors (I believe it has both)... if it does, that may be your problem. My cats did exactly what yours are doing, and had them checked (perfect). Check engine light never came on. The truck would idle fine, but would cut out when accelerating, and be fine once I got up to speed, with a miss every now and then. It finally got so bad accelerating that I couldn't get above 15 mph and it started overheating (hence the rebuild). After the rebuild (and new radiator), the truck was still running the same and still overheating, the reason for the second rebuild, thinking I messed something up since the first rebuild took me a day-in-a-half. I didn't.

The situation you are describing is exactly how mine started off. If you have a crankshaft position sensor, I would try that, even though it will be expensive. I had called every Dodge dealer in town (about 7) when the last guy finally told me, normally the crankshaft postition sensor goes completely out, but every now and then it will work intermitently, and will cause the vehicle to "stutter", and the check engine light will never come on because the sensor is still technically working.

Changed the crankshaft position sensor, and the truck ran like it was suppose to (I changed the camshaft position sensor afterwards as well since it was the only old one left). I drove it for 3000 miles to make sure there were no problems, I then sold it to a company I deal with, and bought a Ranger. The Dodge is still going strong, 3 years and 60,000 miles later.
 






Maybe comnderpoopnfresh can check those sensor with a meter or something : ) hehe. Honestly what I'd do is I'd goto the local pull n save and start swapping sensors, computer, whatever. Since you're a skilled mechanic you probably have some idears bout what's causing this. Is there a way to hook this thing up to a puter and see what's happening? Like a Ford diagnostic machine or something?
 






Is there a way to hook this thing up to a puter and see what's happening? Like a Ford diagnostic machine or something?

yes. only problem is that its old and doesnt give me all the info that im used to with these newer windows based scan tools. im down to fuel pump or coil....so il be going to pick n pull tomorrow and trying a coil.

o and get this...i had to take the escort camping this weekend cause the explorer is in no condition to go on a fun trip.....so what happens....my damn car starts dying.......driving down the freeway and it slowly looses power(not electrical...just no guts) and then it dies. gas engines suck....il take a 6.0 over these things anyday. do i smell a diesel swap coming on!? no...probly just a used car lot.
 






WOW! that was lucky! so the girlfriend drives the explorer and i have told her that she should check the oil when she buys gas and i showed her how to add oil and what not....so she got home yesterday and the check oil light was on so she popped the hood and pulled the dipstick....then she calls me on my phone and tells me to come outside cause the explorer is leaking....i know it leaks a little so no big deal right.....i look underneath and there is oil pouring on the ground. turns out the oil pressure switch leaked inside and finally made its way out....and all the oil came out. so i have to make an 8:30 run to autozone to get a new switch. so i swap it out realy quick and fill it back up and run it to make sure its ok.....and im looking over the motor and what do i see? a little lightning show going on under my hood.......yeah thats right my new factory plug wires are arching and leaking all over the place! :mad:

so maybe it was a blessing that the oil leak happened later in the day cause i never would have caught the plug wires if it wasnt dark.


so....thats like a 2 birds with stone deal isnt it?




o yeah and the escort got a new fuel pump.....
 






Did the wires fix your problem?
 












woohoo!!! that was it! i guess thatll teach me a lesson...just cause a part is new doesnt mean its good. this whole time i have been ignoring the plug wires because theyre less than 4 months old.....i wont be making that mistake again. o and a little side note....OBD 1 codes are useless! i mean i understand how a misfire will cause a lean code not a rich one but...come on! no misfire monitor...no power balance test....no way to do relative compression check....all the information is there...the pcm just cant funnel it out to the scan tool on obd1. o well.....at least it runs great again. now i can get back on track with the fun stuff...like a lift and body work. thanks for all your input everyone!
 






I recently had the same problem and it was simply the MAF conncector was loose. Plugged it back in and it fixed the problem.
 






. o and a little side note....OBD 1 codes are useless! i mean i understand how a misfire will cause a lean code not a rich one but...come on! no misfire monitor.........
..all the information is there...the pcm just cant funnel it out to the scan tool on obd1. o well.....

Mine started running with a miss. Output a code for *check ignition pickup*.
What's an ignition pickup? nothing but a clue I guess. Check igniton stuff. Problem was one plug had carbon across the gap.
I'm wondering why your's didn't say same....*check ignition pickup*
 






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