"check engine" light when towing up grades

[Dirtbiker]

I'm new to the forum and hoping someone can be of help with a persistent "check engine light" that I get after towing my dirt bikes up a long grade or traveling at higher speeds in hot desert conditions with my 94 Explorer 2WD (towing package). This has happened for many years off and on. Recently changed out the Cat Converter as a possible fix to the problem since the error code indicated O2 sensor error, but lo and behold, the light was back on again last trip up the mountain. Wondering if it had something to do with heat and the transmission. Any ideas?

Jeff Lawson
94 Explorer
112,000 miles

 

[aldive]

Can you post the exact code(s)?

 

[Dirtbiker]

I have my mechanic checking the latest "check engine" warning codes on Thursday. I'll post the code results as soon as I know. Any intuitive hunches that I should have him look into while it's in his shop?

Jeff Lawson
94 Explorer

 

[aldive]

Without the code(s), its a crap shoot.

 

[hostile413]

my cel came on over the weekend, i dont remember the code it threw but my buddy said it was the egr valve, upon looking at it, it looks like there is a red diaphragm that is cracked, havent replaced it yet, but that might be your problem too?

 

[Dirtbiker]

My mechanic checked the car today and reported that everything checked out OK.....no error codes at all! Now I'm really confused.

Jeff Lawson
94 Explorer2WDtow

 

[aldive]

My mechanic checked the car today and reported that everything checked out OK.....no error codes at all! Now I'm really confused.

Jeff Lawson
94 Explorer2WDtow

Was your CEL still illuminated?

 

[Dirtbiker]

My CEL has not been illuminated since that last warning. Seems fine, bu I'm heading out again next week and worried that I'll have a repeat or worse.

Jeff Lawson

 

[IAmTodd]

Most likely its running rich and the 02 sensors can't compensate enough for it. The van I drive for work does it too.

 

[Crizz]

Had the same probs, a friend, too. At my ´90 it has been the O2-Sensor, at the ´93 of my friend it was the MAF ( cleaned using brake-cleaner solved the prob ). After reading out the OBD for errors don´t forget to reset the EEC. To be sure to get all errors deleted I usually disconnect the battery for 30 min´s.

 

[MrShorty]

no error codes at all!

Does this mean that the computer wouldn't run the test (as in, there really weren't any codes at all), or does this mean all tests yielded pass (111) codes? No codes at all is a fault condition that should be checked to figure out why the computer isn't responding.