CEL flashing, running rough..

[vdavis25]

The book says when it flashes, its a misfire. Hubby has it at autozone now, to have them check the codes. I hope he remembers to write them down for me.

We had issues awhile back, with the #2 injector, but it got better with some cleaner run through it and havent had any issues. At that time, I had called Ford and was told injectors very rarely go out or get clogged. Got gas at Shell, and probably after 1/4 of a tank, it started getting somewhat rough, so I figured it was the injector again.

Now when I park, our driveway is on a hill, I get this weird smell, in the cab. ONLY after Ive parked on the hill and shut it off. Today the CEL flashed as I was going over a small hill to a dr. appt.

Any advice? Its a 2000 explorer, has a V6 in it. I did a search and saw a few things, but I suck at searching here. I figure once it cools off, we'll pull plugs. Oh joy. I HATE pulling plugs! We just changed those out last year, but will be doing it again soon. I know a lot will depend on what the codes say. Should we start thinking about changing injectors/plugs ect?

Cant afford to take it to anyone to fix So need any help I can get!

Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

You need to post the actual OBD-2 codes he gets from Autozone

If the CEL is on, then the computer is storing a trouble code or codes
The codes will point you in the direction to take

misfire it probably is, but let the code tell us where and possibly why

 

[williams.cory]

Yes, we need the code. If the CEL flashs than that is a misfire. Happened to mine. the day before i changed the spark plugs, then after that it ran bad and had a flashing CEL. Took each plug out and examied it. One plug somehow broke and it wasnt working. Replaced and all was good...

 

[vdavis25]

Update...still dealing with this issue. Its throwing the PO171 and 174, which in my searching here, means possibly MAF sensor or fuel issue. It threw a MAF code so we got a replacement, cleared it and it came back with the two above. Its still doing the chugging thing when we're going at lower speeds, and going uphill. So we will be testing fuel pressure this week and possibly replacing the pump I guess...

We also cleaned the IAC sensor. My fuel mileage is also really crappy. And we checked all the plugs and wires when it did it the first time

Back to searching

 

[Oxygen]

i had the same codes on my 00 XLS a couple months ago...

ended up being a leak in the intake manifold, had to have the gaskets replaced

 

[vdavis25]

i had the same codes on my 00 XLS a couple months ago...

ended up being a leak in the intake manifold, had to have the gaskets replaced

I know my husband checked that, did something with ether? But that is another thing we'll look into after doing the fuel pressure test.

And here is a question on that. Autozone recommended borrowing their fuel pressure testing thing, which has a deposit of $150...instead of the ones I see pictured here in the fuel pressure testing threads. What is the difference?

 

[Wrench]

I suspect by the year you have the SOHC V-6 engine. How did you test the high tension leads? I take it the $150 is refundable when you finish your fuel pressure tests. When was the last time you changed your fuel filter?
Do not replace parts based on the code number. The code is only telling you that there is a problem in that circuit and you need to do further tests to identify the problem.
I recommend always keeping you fuel tank more than 1/4 full to help cool the pump and help fuel delivery on inclines. I think you have a returnless fuel system
so make sure you use the right fuel pressure chart.