check engine light after oil change at Ford Dealer (95 explorer)

[Vikram]

its ticking me off cos cars been running great and I literally drove it to the dealer with no CEL. After the oil change as soon as I start the car the CEL comes on. I talked to the service people and they said "oh the light was on when we pulled it in!"

how does that even happen? Did it just coincidentally break while sitting on the parking lot or I think it's more likely they maybe messed something up while doing the oil change, but they won't listen to me and Idk how I can even prove this - do I gotta keep a video recording inside my car from now on?/s

What do you guys think I should do?

 

[crunchie_frog]

I am guessing you have checked the oil level? What code are you getting?

 

[96eb96]

its ticking me off cos cars been running great and I literally drove it to the dealer with no CEL. After the oil change as soon as I start the car the CEL comes on. I talked to the service people and they said "oh the light was on when we pulled it in!"

how does that even happen? Did it just coincidentally break while sitting on the parking lot or I think it's more likely they maybe messed something up while doing the oil change, but they won't listen to me and Idk how I can even prove this - do I gotta keep a video recording inside my car from now on?/s

What do you guys think I should do?

Could be coincidence, could be wire they disconnected, who knows. They should read it for you though and give you the code. Could be a tired o2 sensor that just dropped below the threshold...

 

[J_C]

I'd bet they were fiddling around in the engine bay giving you a free "inspection" and dislodged or broke a connector or vac line. Can't you get the OBD1 code yourself from the blinking dash light on a '95? At least then you better know what you're up against, and I'd still hesitate to take the vehicle back to this shop unless they reverse their decision and offer to make it right with a free repair, but if they are incompetent or sabotaging the vehicle, maybe not even then.

 

[Pete Deering]

its ticking me off cos cars been running great and I literally drove it to the dealer with no CEL. After the oil change as soon as I start the car the CEL comes on. I talked to the service people and they said "oh the light was on when we pulled it in!"

how does that even happen? Did it just coincidentally break while sitting on the parking lot or I think it's more likely they maybe messed something up while doing the oil change, but they won't listen to me and Idk how I can even prove this - do I gotta keep a video recording inside my car from now on?/s

What do you guys think I should do?

Did they offer to pull the code? You really need to do that, to find out what the trouble is. It could be a connector. A vacuum line. The Tech maybe hit something with his arm. Take a look at the engine compartment , to see if something is disconnected. I would tell you to take to your autozone or advance to see if they can pull the codes. My local stores can't.they don't have a OBD 1 reader anymore.

 

[EB4X]

Not to minimize what happened....but tt would probably be a good idea to get your own reader....especially being most shops (Ford excluded) do not even carry OBDI readers anymore...
This is the one you need here....comes with book that is very thorough and straight forward with list of codes and what they imply:
LINK
That said, if your not getting any symptoms I wouldn't freak out about a CIL just yet....

 

[crunchie_frog]

Not to minimize what happened....but tt would probably be a good idea to get your own reader....especially being most shops (Ford excluded) do not even carry OBDI readers anymore...
This is the one you need here....comes with book that is very thorough and straight forward with list of codes and what they imply:
LINK
That said, if your not getting any symptoms I wouldn't freak out about a CIL just yet....

Or you can read your codes with a analog multi meter, but definitely read your codes.

 

[Vikram]

yeah I ordered the innova reader and cable on amazon it will come today. however i called the shop and talked to the service guy and told him straight up the car was running fine and didnt get a cel until after i started it when leaving the dealership and he still wont even look at it without charging me $150. I cannot help but feel that they intentionally did something, what are the odds that the CEL will come on right after it's changed at a dealership when I start the car to leave.

The more I think about it the more it boils my blood

 

[fastpakr]

Did they offer to pull the code? You really need to do that, to find out what the trouble is. It could be a connector. A vacuum line. The Tech maybe hit something with his arm. Take a look at the engine compartment , to see if something is disconnected. I would tell to take to your autozone advance to see if they can pull the codes. My local store can't.they don't have a OBD 1 reader anymore.

Is a '95 Explorer actually OBD-I? That was a transition year, but as the first of the new Explorer, I'd have expected it to be OBD-II from day one.

 

[Vikram]

mine is OB1

Is a '95 Explorer actually OBD-I? That was a transition year, but as the first of the new Explorer, I'd have expected it to be OBD-II from day one.

idk if all of them are, but mine is. The scanner should be here in a couple hours and i'll update what i find

 

[EB4X]

Yes....all 95's are 1's ....the 95 should be it's OWN generation explorer....I just posted another 95 ONLY post ....

To poster...Does your explorer have any poor running symptoms...especially noticeable since oil change ?

 

[Vikram]

Ok bois, i got the scanner - the only code i have is 113. which is IAT. So what part needs to be replaced? xD

tbh i cant even find where teh IAT is on these cars on google, any ideas?

 

[Vikram]

BOIS I GOT IT!!!!

I cannot believe this sht. The IAT was completelty disconnected. This is a tight connector and there is NO WAY it can become undone on its own or even bumped by accident and if it came off before the oil change I would have had a CEL.

I suspected that these MFers were trying to pull one over me, and now I 100% think they are. As soon as i plugged it in the CEL went away.

 

[EB4X]

Good job... was it "sitting in place" "appearing" to be still plugged in the whole time....or did the code alert you to it's location and was completely off ?

 

[Vikram]

That's not your IAC.....not sure what that particular one is for....it's more of the insignificant ones..if I dare use that word...and not to minimize it.....Is the clip still very solid etc...clips into place securely on that plug?

I didn't say IAC, it's IAT xD

 

[EB4X]

My bad....jumped the gun... that's a rare connection to have issues/ need replacing so ......... IAC's are always coming up in conversations.... that's like the one plug I didn't / many don't know the name of...

 

[Vikram]

My bad....jumped the gun... that's a rare connection to have issues/ need replacing so ......... IAC's are always coming up in conversations.... that's like the one plug I didn't / many don't know the name of...

no worries i couldnt even find any info about it besides one vague article online.

And its such a tight connection there is NO WAY it could have come off on its own, this experiences soured me so much i think from now on i will make the 45 minute drive to a different ford dealer for service.

 

[donalds]

Or change your own oil and save $$

no worries i couldnt even find any info about it besides one vague article online.

And its such a tight connection there is NO WAY it could have come off on its own, this experiences soured me so much i think from now on i will make the 45 minute drive to a different ford dealer for service.

 

[Pete Deering]

Is a '95 Explorer actually OBD-I? That was a transition year, but as the first of the new Explorer, I'd have expected it to be OBD-II from day one.

They do have the OBD-II under the steering wheel, but does not communicate. I try With a ALTEL, and my autoXRAY no luck.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

Or change your own oil and save $$

AND get it done right.