Check engine light

[kubben]

I bought a 1996 Ford Explorer 4x4, 4.0, this last Saturday. On the way home from about an 2 hour drive the 'Check Engine' light came on. After rebuilding by 77 Blazer and 71 Cuda I knew all the trouble spots and checked them all out, no problems anywhere. So I called the dealer and they said sure bring it in and we will take a look. On the way to a friends house the light went off and has not since came back on. The light was on for from Sunday night to Tuesday afternoon. I am going to take it in next Thursday but just wanted to know in advance if anyone had this problem and just a general idea of what the outcome of the tests at the shop might be. Could it of just been a short?

BTW all gauges read fine, no leaks, and everything works fine.

Thanks!

K. Ubben

 

[leebo]

Have you cleaned the mass air flow sensor? Thats what the problem that I had on mine as well as several post on the site have contained them. Try doing a search on this site and see if any of them might apply to them. Congrats on your explorer, it will do you good. Hope this helps

:exp: :exp:

 

[kps36]

leebo, I have a 95 2D 4X4 and I will relay my experiences with the check engine light. IT IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. I have a cutout air box w/K&N, 9mm hi-res wires, and Bosch P4s. On a recent trip from St. Augustine FLA to the smokys of NC I filled up with gas about 150 mi outside of NC. The check engine light was on for the remainder of the trip. It ran fine. Like yourself I checked everything. After reading some posts here, I came to the conclusion, and correctly so, that the change in elevation (read: Oxy level) caused the mix to trigger the light. After shutdown overnight, all was well again.
Also, one (and only other time) the light went on just after cleaning and reoiling the K&N (too much). I cleaned the MAS sensor with CRC Electronic Cleaner and the Throttle Body with CRC TB cleaner and all was good to go again.
Also, around 60K miles you might want to give some thought to the O2 sensors. But I think this manifests itself in poor performance, bad mpg. along with the check engine light.
Oh, the check engine light will go on if you don't put the gas cap back on properly !!!
good luck and welcome.

 

[TPLYNCH]

If you gas cap was not closed properly, that will cause the light to come on. Another known trigger are the O2 sensors. You didn't say how many miles on the Explorer, but if over 50K it may be the O2's.

 

[adionne 93 XLT 4.0]

Where

Forgive me, where are the O2 sensors located. Are they cleanable. I have cleaned the sensors in the exhaust manifold and some other sensors unknowing what they were. Are they pluged into the exhaust tail below the driverside?

Thanks, AL

 

[brentb]

I had the same problem with my 94 XLT
the O2 sensors are located on the exhaust manifold there are two of them one on each side, I replaced them on my explorer, and the light still came on, found out it was the mass air flow sensor located on/near the air filter cover
after replacing this sensor I have had no problem