2005 Explorer shaking, flashing check engine light

[nmreinhart]

This past week I noticed my Explorer did an occasional shudder when I was driving on the interstate (I never noticed it when I was driving in town at lower speeds). Last night while driving on the interstate, it went from shuddering occasionally to shaking. I slowed down to about 60 and it seemed to stop for a while. Then the check engine light started flashing. It went from flashing to steady to flashing again. When I got home and parked it, it was shaking quite a bit at idle. I haven't run it yet today so I don't know what surprises are in store for me. I'm going to take it in later to have the codes read, but I wondered if anyone had any ideas. Thank you.

 

[JacobDaniel]

the CEL flashing is catastrophic failure, won't know much without the CEL codes.
Mine did the same thing, it was the 02 sensors, but it could be anything without codes.

 

[swshawaii]

If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately.

Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.

Owners Manual (Pages 10-11)
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/05expog3e.pdf

 

[arco777]

CEL flashing is not necessarily catastrophic... it can simply indicate a bad misfire as swshawaii said.

 

[JacobDaniel]

CEL flashing is not necessarily catastrophic... it can simply indicate a bad misfire as swshawaii said.

Yes, I stand corrected.
Thanks

 

[NRA4ever]

My 3.0 Ranger started doing the same thing. It has 2 burned valves on the passenger side. Thje motor has 40k miles. Its a ford rebuilt long block. I think I read that the 3.0 has been known to have this problem due to poor valve seats.

 

[arco777]

My 3.0 Ranger started doing the same thing. It has 2 burned valves on the passenger side. Thje motor has 40k miles. Its a ford rebuilt long block. I think I read that the 3.0 has been known to have this problem due to poor valve seats.

An 05 Explorer would have the SOHC 4.0 or a SOHC 4.6. Compression and leakdown test would help check for burned valves though.

 

[rlgdguy]

My 05 just started doing this today. Leading up to today, I had previously gotten codes indicating a misfire within the first 1000 revolutions. I have replaced the spark plugs, the coil, and the spark plug wires. The code cleared and I drove about 75 miles before it came back on and now has seemed to have gotten worse. I also can smell some sort of burning smell. I have 132000 miles on the old girl, but I've had explorers go just over 200,000 in this car was supposedly taken care of very well with all the service records and only one owner prior to me. Might be time to trade in the old girl for something else.