Check Engine Light.

[Terence McBain]

Hi, I would like to find out why my check engine light comes on during my journey, it is not on at the start. If any one has an answer I would be grateful to hear from them. I have a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT.

 

[domct203]

Hi, I would like to find out why my check engine light comes on during my journey, it is not on at the start. If any one has an answer I would be grateful to hear from them. I have a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT.

Hello Terence.

This could be many different things, you will need to get the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) so we know which system component is failing. Most auto stores will read the codes for free.

 

[Terence McBain]

Hello Terence.

This could be many different things, you will need to get the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) so we know which system component is failing. Most auto stores will read the codes for free.

Thank you for your reply, I have made an appointment to take it in next Monday and have it looked at.

 

[koda2000]

Thank you for your reply, I have made an appointment to take it in next Monday and have it looked at.

Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly (and many other auto parts stores) will all read the OBD II codes for free w/out an appointment. If you take it to a mechanic or dealership you will have to pay to have the same thing done (as much as $75 or more). If you want to spend money, buy yourself an inexpensive OBD II scanner for around $40 on eBay or Amazon and you can do it yourself.

Note: OBD II code(s) will point you in a direction to do further diagnosis. Do not take what they tell you at face value and start buying parts.

 

[lobo411]

Hi, I would like to find out why my check engine light comes on during my journey, it is not on at the start. If any one has an answer I would be grateful to hear from them. I have a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT.

The reason codes set during the drive and not right at the beginning is that the computer has to run its tests under certain conditions and at certain times. Example: the car needs to be out of closed-loop operation, the intake air temp must be between 40 and 100 degrees, the coolant must be at normal operating temp, the engine must have operated at or above 2000 rpm for at least 2 mins, etc...

 

[Terence McBain]

The reason codes set during the drive and not right at the beginning is that the computer has to run its tests under certain conditions and at certain times. Example: the car needs to be out of closed-loop operation, the intake air temp must be between 40 and 100 degrees, the coolant must be at normal operating temp, the engine must have operated at or above 2000 rpm for at least 2 mins, etc...

All my readings on the dash appear to be normal at the moment, I will take it to O'Reilly's and get the test done. Thank you.

 

[koda2000]

All my readings on the dash appear to be normal at the moment, I will take it to O'Reilly's and get the test done. Thank you.

Many issues have little/no effect on your dash gauges (which in the case of the Explorer are glorified idiot lights). Most things that trigger the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) are emissions related and may have no effect on how the engine runs. For example a loose or defective gas cap seal.

There are about a dozen sensors on your vehicle, which report information to the PCM. When the PCM receives information that is outside of the normal parameters for a sensor it sets the CEL. Without the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) code there's no way to know where to begin looking.

Be sure to write down all the information which comes up on the OBD code reader's screen. Sometimes a single problem will trigger multiple OBD codes. Fixing the one actual problem will make the other codes go away.

Report back on what code(s) you receive.

 

[roscoe 0202]

95 is obd I you can pull codes yourself check forum for instructions I don't think any of the auto parts stores have obd I reader although it's not needed
roscoe

 

[Turdle]

95 is obd I you can pull codes yourself check forum for instructions I don't think any of the auto parts stores have obd I reader although it's not needed
roscoe

Good catch. 1995 is obd1 , or, eecIV

Here is a link, which, if you read, will give you all the information you need to read your codes at home.

Notes on pulling EEC-IV codes

 

[koda2000]

Good catch. 1995 is obd1 , or, eecIV

Here is a link, which, if you read, will give you all the information you need to read your codes at home.

Notes on pulling EEC-IV codes

Crap, I missed that it was a '95. So most likely you can't get codes with an ODB II scanner. '95 was a transitional year ('96 and later had to have ODB II) if your Explorer was manufactured late in '95 it might be ODB II compatible.

I don't think any of the auto parts stores have scanners to read ODB I codes. Advance used to, but I don't think they do anymore. ODB I codes can be retrieved with a paper clip on some vehicles by counting CEL blinks, but I don't know about Fords. As I recall, pulling Ford EEC-IV codes was a PITA even with an ODB I scanner.

 

[imp]

@koda2000 1996 OBD-II went to the different style scanner plug-in, did it not? OBD-II scanner will not plug in OBD-1 socket. imp

 

[koda2000]

@koda2000 1996 OBD-II went to the different style scanner plug-in, did it not? OBD-II scanner will not plug in OBD-1 socket. imp

That's correct, but I had a late production 1995 Pontiac that had the normal OBD II connector under the dash in the typical location. I'm really stretching my memory, but from what I remember about the Ford EEC-IV connection is that it was under the hood, in the area of the brake booster or left inner fender well, and there were two different plugs. Going back even further, I also had a 1991 Chrysler mini-van that had an OBD I connection (on some sort) under the dash where I used a paperclip to flash the CEL to get a code for a bad O2 sensor.

Back in the early 2000's my Advance Auto Parts store had a scanner (and adapters) that would read EEC-VI, OBD I and II codes.

 

[imp]

That's correct, but I had a late production 1995 Pontiac that had the normal OBD II connector under the dash in the typical location. I'm really stretching my memory, but from what I remember about the Ford EEC-IV connection is that it was under the hood, in the area of the brake booster or left inner fender well, and there were two different plugs. Going back even further, I also had a 1991 Chrysler mini-van that had an OBD I connection (on some sort) under the dash where I used a paperclip to flash the CEL to get a code for a bad O2 sensor.

Back in the early 2000's my Advance Auto Parts store had a scanner (and adapters) that would read EEC-VI, OBD I and II codes.

@koda2000
No doubt those OBD connectors may have been stuck on the harness almost anywhere. My '94 Mustang GT 5.0 has it on RH side, back side of shock tower, held in a small socket having the correct shape marked "EEC". imp

 

[roscoe 0202]

my 94 ranger has it right behind the battery on the drivers side
roscoe

 

[koda2000]

@koda2000
No doubt those OBD connectors may have been stuck on the harness almost anywhere. My '94 Mustang GT 5.0 has it on RH side, back side of shock tower, held in a small socket having the correct shape marked "EEC". imp

Most American manufactures seemed to put the OBD II ports on the driver's (left) side under the dash. I don't know that it was mandated initially (or that it's mandated today). Its a bit like which side of the vehicle the gas cap is located on). I think they should all be on the left, but it's not mandated. Some are on the left, some on the right and some in the center.

I recall that back when OBD II became mandated for the 1996 model year Honda decided that they'd put their diagnostic port behind the ashtray. You had to remove the ashtray to get at it. WTF?