Check Engine warning under acceleration

[jwalton]

Good Morning,

I have a 2011 Ford Explorer limited. I am having an issue with a jerky acceleration that leads to a blinking engine light. but only in automatic.

Scenario:
Automatic: Drive down on ramp and accelerate (not super hard but enough to get it moving from a stop and merge) and the explorer hesitates / skips some and then takes off but leaves me with a blinking notification light on the dash. This continues for a few seconds but then shuts off.

Manual: using the same method as above for acceleration but in manual mode. The Explorer accelerates great, I am able to shift through the gears and rev it up without a single problem.

I checked for codes and haven't been able to pull any.

Does anyone know where I can begin to start troubleshooting this and get it fixed?

thanks in advance!

 

[KayGee]

From what you describe, it sounds like engine misfires. Try a better scan tool (or forscan) that can display misfires/mode 6 data.

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

It does sound like misfires, when in automatic mode. Why not in manual mode too?
Here is one theory: In "manual" mode more performance is expected, perhaps a richer a/f ratio is target for better performance too, this also has an effect
of warding of spark knock, and the timing tables themselves may also be different in "manual" mode, preventing misfires or knock.

 

[peterk9]

Good Morning,

I have a 2011 Ford Explorer limited. I am having an issue with a jerky acceleration that leads to a blinking engine light. but only in automatic..........................

Welcome to the Forum.
Which light is the one that is blinking? In some cases, a blinking light is a sign of a more serious issue than a steady ON light

Peter

 

[thefranchise713]

Is it the Check Engine Light or the Powertrain Check Lamp? The latter is the wrench.

If you're getting a flashing Check Engine Light -- be careful -- that's a severe misfire and you're dumping unburned fuel into the catalyst.

You should see some historical codes if nothing else...

 

[Keith N]

My 11 with 96k was having misfires recently. Had original motorcraft platinum plugs. Were in very bad shape. New plugs fixed it. Regards to the manual thing, it could be that in automatic, a misfire causes the transmission to shift or otherwise exagerates the misfires. Just a theory.

If you have original plugs, I would try plugs first. For DIY its $50. Maybe $200-300 with a shop doing it. You have to remove the upper intake which can take an hour or two depending on skill. I put in new pcv and new intake gasket also just to be safe and since I had access to pcv valve.

Check out my recent post - Transmission Drain/Refill & Misfires.

Keith

 

[jwalton]

hey Everyone!

thank you very much for the info! Sorry I didn't get back to you but the forum notifications were hitting my junk mail folder.

It is the check engine light not the power-train light. I'm going to stop tonight and use the scan to at advance auto and see if i can get some historical codes.

I bought the explorer used and just recently replaced the original motorcraft battery so I'm sure the plugs are still original and in need of a change.

I'll keep you updated and hopefully have some error codes to provide over the weekend.

thanks again!

 

[peterk9]

It is recommended to change spark plugs every 100k miles but plugs can and do fail before that mileage is reached. Good luck.
I have also edited the thread title based on your reply.

Peter

 

[KayGee]

It is recommended to change spark plugs every 100k miles but plugs can and do fail before that mileage is reached.

I noticed some interesting things on the Ford online maintenance schedule. Maintenance Schedules | fleet.ford.com (Appear to be same as retail side - just easier to read in chart format.)

There are some differences by year, but under normal, and most "severe" conditions, it calls for changing ATF every 30K miles. For spark plugs, 100K under normal, but 60K under "severe" conditions. PTU is called out for 16+ every 50K miles.


Ultimately, it's up to the individual to decide, but if you have situations where you are idling (remote start use to heat or cool vehicle), more low speed driving (more city vs hwy), towing, and so on, I would think you would be better served to follow one of the "severe" maintenance schedules, rather than "normal"

 

[jwalton]

thanks peterk9 this is great info. I can't speak to the original owner but i drive it in and out of the city every day sitting in rush hour traffic and definitely use the remote start in the winter. I'll try and swap the spark plugs this weekend and possibly get to the ATF fluid.
I'll keep you updated!

thanks again!

 

[jwalton]

So I changed the spark plugs, replaced the serpentine belt, changed the oil, cleaned the throttle body and changed the air filter. Took the explorer out for a test drive and it runs great! Has more power and accelerates harder than it ever has so this misfire must have been there since I bought it (used).

now on to my truck which has decided to start having the same issue .

thanks for all of the help everyone!