check engine light

[randy lewis]

My 94 mazda navajo (ford explorer sport 4.0 engine) keeps getting a check engine light and then it goes out. Can't seem to figure it out. Engine seems to run fine even with the light on. Am not that mechanical but can do some things. Happens mostly when I am driving at highway speeds. Other than that really like the vehicle when I get to drive it. Son gets it most of the time. Thanks for any help..

Randy

 

[aldive]

You need to find out what trouble code it is throwing.

 

[randy lewis]

How would I be able to check the code?

Randy

 

[aldive]

With an OBD I code reader, or go to a mechanic that has one.

Good luck....

 

[MrShorty]

or with an analog voltmeter and jumper wire. see www.dalidesign.com under sample pages or EEC-IV or some such thing. The link is also here under explorer resources. calls itself electronic engine control self test. Not difficult to do yourself.

 

[Glacier991]

Shorty beat me to it. On EEC-IV vehicles (most prior to 95) it is sometimes also called the flashout code. YOu can use the "check engine light" as your flashout reader, or use a meter and count the sweeps. What happens is you short a wire and it signals the engine to run a Key on Engine Off test (KOEO). It will flash, kinda akin to morse code, the codes. code 23 for example would be flash - flash- short pause- flash-flash-flash long pause. (or with a meter - needle sweep, sweep, pause etc).Find the code and come back and let us know what it is. Good luck. In time you will love auto computers like I do, trust me.

Chris

 

[blazey]

which wire

which wire do u short out lets say on my '91 ex to get it to do the check engine light test. its check engine light is on and i can't get it to start.

 

[Glacier991]

If you can find the plastic cover that "protectes" the EEC-IV test connectors in your vehicle - usually on the side of the enngine compartment near the back in early explorers... the single wire gray connector is the self test grounding wire

 

[Glacier991]

Randy.. try this link... http://dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html