check engine

[Billabong02]

Today as i was coming home from work my check engine light came on. I took it to my local place and the guy checked the coolant, oil and checked to make sure the gas cap was on tight, everything was fine. The car isn't making any noises and drives like normal. The guy told me it was probably because it was moist out and he said that could cause one of the sensors to mess up. He said let it dry up and it should go away. I hope i am not messing my car up driving it. What do you all think. If its nothing how do i get the check engine light to go out other than going to ford. thanks

 

[Jason_25]

No it's not because it's moist out. The engine control computer in your explorer should be able to run the engine fine no matter the humidity. No it won't hurt your truck driving with the light on. You need to get the codes read though so you can find out what's wrong. Autozone will read them for free. Report back to us when you know what code(s) it threw.

 

[aldive]

The only thing that should go away is you, from that idiot. That is very poor advise.

You need to have the trouble code(s) read with a scanner and post that and someone here will help you.

Good luck......

 

[Glacier991]

The check engine light, or MIL (malfunction indicator light) simply is saying that for the cpomputer something is not where it is expected to be. Some of therse things will be evident as "driveability" problems. Others, not at all. The light is telling you there is a goldmine of information stored in the computer memory. IT will tell you WHAT system is acting up. Go get it read. Come back and share the EXACT code (eg.. p0334) not what some bozo says is the problem. THE CODE!

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[Billabong02]

Ok i took it to Autozone this morning and had them check the codes. Well first the guy didn't know where it was so that took about 30 mins. Then he told me to go to ford because mine didn't have a place to test it. LOL i took it to my guy and he found it right under the steering wheel. So when i got back it brought up the code 0153. The came back with a print out that read, Reponse time for oxygen sensor 1 in bank 2 was too slow during testing. So i take it back to the guy and schedule time tomorrow to replace the sensor, but today on the way home the light went out. Should i still replace the sensor or just go on about my business? thanks

 

[Jason_25]

What may be happening is the sensor is failing slowly. Thus only causing the response times to be outside the acceptable range only sometimes. Maybe you should wait on it for now and if comes on again go ahead and replace the sensor that's showing the code. You have 4 of them so make sure you replace the right one.

 

[aldive]

I would replace the ill sensor straight away.

 

[Glacier991]

The number 1 (upstream) 02 sensor should fluctuate and crossover the mid point voltage at least 8 times a minute or more. A lazy sensor will rob you of fuel economy possibly, and cause emissions to exceed allowable levels. Often they are not a "driveability" issue (in other words the vehile will seem to run just fine even with the problem). I'd not panic to get it done ASAP, but it is something you might want to get replaced when you can do so conveniently in the near term future. Hope this helps.

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[Billabong02]

Thanks for all the help. I think i will go ahead and change it so i will have peace of mind.

 

[Blee1099]

I would change the O2 sensor in pairs. Do both the front ones at the same time. Usually as soon as one goes bad, the other is not too far away.