Check Engine Light

[fbody396]

I have a 2002 Explorer with the 4.6L V8 with about 35,000 miles on it. I just changed the oil last week and afterwards I sprayed the motor compartment with Simple Green and hosed off the engine with the water hose. I started the engine and it ran just fine. Day maybe two later the engine started skipping a little but would smooth out at higher speeds. After a couple of days driving it skipping the check engine light is now on. I have not had a chance to get to Auto Zone to have the codes read. Could washing the engine compartment cause this problem? Thanks!!!

 

[Blee1099]

Could have been especially if the electrical components of the engine got moisture in them from the wash.. I'd recommend getting it scanned for codes and then posting the actual code number instead of listening to Autozone since their "professionals" are not.

 

[fbody396]

I disconnected the negative terminal and waited a while for the code to clear. Started the engine and sure enough the "Service Engine Soon" light was out and the motor ran smooth. I took it on a 10 mile ride at speeds up to 60 or so and it ran pretty good. I did feel it skip a couple of times, esp. on incline over a bridge. This 4.6L has always run like a rabbit and I hope this will be a simple fix. I'll have the code read and see if the "SES" light comes back on. Thanks for your reply. (i'm new to the room)

 

[fbody396]

Disconnecting the negative terminal was not a smart thing to do as I found out today when I took it to have the code read. I got "PASS" on the reader and NO CODES! It is running like crap again but the "Service Engine" light has yet to come on again. I guess I'll wait for the light or take it to a shop for them to diagnos the problem.

 

[daprez1963]

Disconnecting the negative terminal was not a smart thing to do as I found out today when I took it to have the code read. I got "PASS" on the reader and NO CODES! It is running like crap again but the "Service Engine" light has yet to come on again. I guess I'll wait for the light or take it to a shop for them to diagnos the problem.

If I am not mistaken, even if you disconnect the battery, it stores the codes somehow in its internal memory and until it is fixed, will comeback after you drive it long enough for the sensor to detect the problem again and the engine light will return. I was told before, after a problem is fixed, you disconnect the battery to reset it yourself and it will not comeback unless the problem was not solved. The codes are usually a starting point and not totally specific. If you still have a problem and the engine light doesnt come back on after a while, it is probably something that has no sensor to recognize the problem. I am not claiming to know 100%, just from past experiences. I had another car where you could flip the ignition switch three times and then leave it on and the codes would flash for me and let me know them without being "hooked up" to a computer. I am not sure it is possible with the explorer....doubt it. It was an older 92 plymouth.
Drive it a while to see if the engine light returns.....

 

[fbody396]

Thanks for the advice. I also had a Plymouth Van that I had a code problem with. I did the negative disconnect too and got to count the flashes. My mechanic had that POS for month and never could find out what was wrong with it. It was like a bucking bronco and I finally traded it in for the '02 Explorer. Hopefully i'll get the light to come back on soon. Thanks Again.

 

[rrgone]

I've got the same year/model as yours and about the same miles too. I've considered cleaning out the engine compartment with cleaner and hose because it's kinda dusty in there. There are bunches of people on here that say don't do it, and about as many say no problem. I think that researching the issue was what first brought me here. Anyway, so far I've resisted washing it off and after your problems I think I'll continue to live with dust in there. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[fbody396]

I emailed a mechanic friend of mine about my problem and about me washing down the motor. Here is his response:

The spark pulg holes must have water in them. You need to remove the coils and blow them out.
Like the LS1 in the Camaro's and all others with coil overs, we can not wash them down any more.
Hopefully the coil will servive the shorting.

Sooooooooooooooooo.......the fun begins. I can't even see spark plugs or the coils on this engine. I guess i'll be crawling under the truck to take a look. Now I have a nice clean engine that skips. I wonder how car dealers get away with detailing the motors?

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[daprez1963]

if its only dust that you are worried about in your engine compartment, why not blow the dust out with an air compressor with a nozzle on the end?

 

[trucku]

I have hosed the engine down with not ill effect, but I don't use any chemicals, just pressure.
If you had moisture it should be gone by now. The engine should have a good long running session to get all the moisture out. Whey don't you check all your connections and put dielectric grease on them for good measure. disconnect them blow them out with air and see what happens. Do it with battery disconnected.


Good Luck

 

[fbody396]

Just wanted to let you know that my mechanic friend was right about moisture in the plug holes causing my Coil Packs to missfire. I pulled all eight coils and blew compressed air down in the spark plug holes and reinstalled each coil. That was one Hell of a job having not done it before. Very small area to work in and the 7 mm screws are hard to get at with big hands. A couple of the spark plug boots decided to stay in the hole but I eventually got them out. After 5 years they've taken a liking to there home and didn't want to leave. Everything went back together as i'd hoped it would and I had no extra parts left over. The 30 minute test drive was smooth with no bucking and missing as before. From now on I'll clean with a rag and an air hose. Thanks again for all the replies.