2002 Explorer, Need some serious input

[TexasKiddo]

Hey everyone, I need some serious input, just a refresher, my SES light started comming on roughly 2 weeks ago, and when you stop at a stoplight the car will kinda hesitate, or sputter like it wants to stop, but it doesnt, takes off fine... and then the next stoplight it might idel just fine.....took the truck into the Ford Garage, and they ran the diagnostic and pulled the codes and said that my O2 Sensor, (downstream) DPFE, and IAC were all needing replaced... but wanted $650 to do it, so we took the truck to Autozone, and they ran their free diagnostic and pulled a code, but the only thing is they said is it pulled "ONE" Code and said it was "running lean" and could be one of the three causeing the problem, so we replaced the O2 downstream, and the DPFE, reset the computer and the SES came back on, so I cleaned the IAC reset computer, SES came back on this AM....so went back to Autozone this afternoon to have them run the check again for the code, said it pulled "a" code, as they put it.... but they didnt know what it was for...but said they thought it had to do with air flow... and this time they say could be the Mass Air Flow Sensor (121.99 + 87.00 core) or the IAT Sensor (Intake Air Temperature Sensor) (15.99) I felt like the guy was just trying to sale me something or make money... or guessing... What is really irritating me is that I have put money into 2 of the 3 sensors and replaced them myself, and the problem isnt fixed, if I buy the IAC for (54.99 at autozone) and that doesnt fix the problem, what was the sense in payin 49.99 to the ford garage for the diagnostic to pull the codes to tell me what the problem is and then the three they come back with doesn't fix the problem, and now Autozone is sayin it could be two other totally different things.....anyone have any imput as to what this problem could be? could it be I just need to replace the IAC? since cleaning didnt help. My car has 60,000 miles...is a 2002... Would or should these sensors still be covered under the Ford Emissions Warrenty ive heard about? Of course they didnt mention it at the Ford garage when I had it in there... (but of course they wouldnt't) they just said my extended warrenty did not cover these parts. Any suggestions, and input would be greatly appreciated Thanks!!

Also just thought of this, if you unplug the connector to the IAC should the vehicle still run? or should it quit, I was letting the vehicle idel after cleaning the IAC and unplugged the electrical wire to it and the car immediately guit, plugged it back in and restarted the car and it took off fine...could this be helpful in knowin if this part is bad?

 

[TexasKiddo]

Come on ya'll someone has to have some input!

Come on ya'll 26 views so far and nobody has anything, someone has to have someone input... really need some ideas here. Thanks!

 

[valiantski]

Do some research on how to clean the EGR Valve. Also, can you post the original code that you got from Ford dealership and so as the one from Autozone, but please be specific, specify the one from the dealer and the one from autozone if they are somewhat different.

 

[ffdemoss]

If you replaced the downstream o2 sensors then I think that was useless. Those are to make sure your cats are working correctly. The upstream adjust fuel/air mixture. This could be a host of issues. Instead of a sensor it could be the wiring for the sensor. Without having a diagnostic tool which lets you see the sensor work, your are just throwing money at the problem. Take the parts you can back to Autozone and go to a neighborhood garage. Or buy a scan tool which allows you to montior real time sensor data and know immediatley which sensros are out of whack and which ones aren't. You need a computer to fix computer controlled vehicles.

 

[valiantski]

http://www.moddedmustangs.com/ford-obdii-diagnostic-trouble-codes-dtcs.html

 

[TexasKiddo]

If you replaced the downstream o2 sensors then I think that was useless. Those are to make sure your cats are working correctly. The upstream adjust fuel/air mixture. This could be a host of issues. Instead of a sensor it could be the wiring for the sensor. Without having a diagnostic tool which lets you see the sensor work, your are just throwing money at the problem. Take the parts you can back to Autozone and go to a neighborhood garage. Or buy a scan tool which allows you to montior real time sensor data and know immediatley which sensros are out of whack and which ones aren't. You need a computer to fix computer controlled vehicles.

See the O2 downstream is one of the things that the ford garage said came back as one of the codes along with the DPFE and IAC...I will have to get the actual codes from Ford and Autozone, but this is what they are tellin me.

 

[TexasKiddo]

Do some research on how to clean the EGR Valve. Also, can you post the original code that you got from Ford dealership and so as the one from Autozone, but please be specific, specify the one from the dealer and the one from autozone if they are somewhat different.

Are the EGR Valve, and DPFE the same thing, because when we bought the new one at Autozone, the box said DPFE/EGR... and on the receipt it says EGR Valve.

The codes on the estimate for the work they gave me at the Ford Garage were P1131 and P0401.. and beside it they wrote "needing replaced - O2 Sensor Downstream, DPFE/EGR Sensor ,and IAC Valve"

Autozone pulled P1131, but they said that code could mean any one of the three.

I now question the 02 Sensor Downstream like someone else said as when I looked up the codes here online it said "P1131 - 02 sensor upstream bank #1 indicates lean" Which 02 Sensor is the upstream bank #1? We replaced the one under the driver door, thats the one Ford Garage and Autozone said was downstream needing replaced. Thanks Alot!

 

[FordLover]

What kind of extended warranty do you have?

I hate when places tell you they'll start by replacing 3 or 4 items, and hope that fixes your problem, and if not, they'll replace some more items and of course give you the bill. What's the likelyhood of 3 sensors failing at the same time??

 

[valiantski]

I'm not an expert with vehicles, but with my confidence level I can say that very unlikely that more than one sensor will fail at the same time. Multiple codes don't mean multiple sensors failing. Most of the time only one sensor is failing, but somewhat related with the others, that's why other sensor shows that they are failing as well. It's a matter of proper diagnostic. Unfortunately, even the dealership sometimes having trouble to diagnose when multiple codes get pulled out and so they just recommend replacing all sensors that show that are failing. If you think about it, more parts they sell, more money for them and less time for them to spend figuring out what the real problem is. DPFE is not the same as EGR sensor. DPFE have two ports and they are connected to EGR tube. http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/egrmonitor.htm

 

[Jakee]

Unfortanatly, sometimes troubleshooting for the DIY sometimes requires multiple parts to be bought before the true problem is fixed. However, think of it as something you prevented in the future.

You might try to unplug the MAF sensor and see if it runs better around the block 1 time. Don't press the gas real hard or the car will die. If it runs better then maybe that's the problem but I'm just guessing from problems I've had with the last 2 explorers I owned.

 

[Englishman Tx]

Hiya,
I would check with the EPA as they are supposed to give you 75,000/80,000 warranty on any emission rated part with no cost to customer.To quote the old english expression its bollocks to cover that and then not cover sensors.
Cheers
Gordon

 

[TexasKiddo]

Ok, I cleaned the MAF, IAC, didnt clean the EGR (probably should), replaced the DPFE Sensor, but that deaded SES light still comes back on, but the truck actually has been running quite smooth now, Wonder why that would be?

EnglishmanTx, I agree with you, I think I will contact the EPA and find out about what exactly they have to cover under the Emissions warranty, I agree it doesnt make sense one thing is covered but then another wouldnt be.... good suggestion... Thanks.

 

[prerunner02]

you might need to clear the codes

 

[TexasKiddo]

Cleared Codes

Tried to clean EGR, but couldnt figure out how to get it off, couldnt get the wire ontop off, was afraid to pull to hard for fear of breaking it....how do you get it off? but did reset the computer, drove it for a while today, and the SES came back on.

 

[P. doggy]

Do you have the stock Air box? I had the same problem when I put my K&N Cone filter on. And my MPG went down the tube.
Jared G.

 

[DJ Money]

I am having the same problem. After reading this i found this page

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

the problem codes my are sending is the system is running rich in banks one and two. THen the print out said that if both banks are running rich then then it might be any one of the 3 sensors

but if you look at that epa site o2 sensors are covered for 8 yrs 80k

 

[DJ Money]

sorry uponreadign o2 are a 2yr not the 8 yr