97 XLT with Serious Misfires... WTF is going on?

[mistyexplorer97]

Hey guys. I have a 97 XLT that had the check engine come on a few weeks back. The code pulled as P0141 - o2 sensor preheat circuit. I replaced the o2 sensor and still get the same code. It runs like crap with multiple misfires at idle and light acceleration. Just once, I pulled a Misfire on Cylinder 1 code. But it hasn't repeated that code even though it is obviously misfiring. The MAF has been cleaned. The TPS is good. The filter is clean. If it had a carb, I would say it was water in the gas.

Has anyone else had this problem or somthing similar? If I can't kill that code, I can't get it inspected. Who wants to pay that much for a yard ornament on wheels?

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Just because the CEL says O2 sensor does NOT mean you should automatically replace the 02 sensor. Almost always, the O2 sensor is malfunctioning because another component in the motor is not working correctly. Have you tried pulling the plug on cylinder 1? Checked the plug wire? It could be one of those things, it could be a bad ignition coil pack, could be a lot of things.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

02 sensors have heaters inside of them so it can get to op temp quickly. You probably have a broken/melted wire somewhere cause I believe they ground on the exhaust - so you really only have a power feed. Also check your fuses. Is the misfire even after its warmed up?

-Drew

 

[mistyexplorer97]

*UPDATE* 97 X Misfires

Well the problem is solved. When only half of the plugs are new and the other half have over 90,000 miles on them..... you get the idea. The previous owners must have changed the easy three on the drivers and said to hell with the passenger 3. We had to cut the boots off to get them free. Add new wires and wow... what a difference. I reset the code and drove it a while. It coded the same P0141. I will check the wires since the sensor is brand new. Thanx to all that helped out.