Engine light on/codes showing up

[david zavetsky]

I just bought my 94 Explorer.....I noticed the other day that the "check engine" light would not illuninate when starting the engine...I figured a burnt bulb....

So, I tore the dash apart and found that the bulb was actually MISSING....So I popped a new one in, and, to my dismay, it stays lit when driving....

I took the truck into the dealer and spent $89 for them to scan the truck....They said that 2 codes were coming up.....214 & 327....They said I need to replace the DPFE sensor, EVR, and cam sensor.......The total for this bill would be over $600. On top of this, the dealer said the DPFE and EGR were both disconnected.....!

I called the dealer from whom I bought the truck and relayed all this info...he wants me to bring it in so his guys can look at it......

He seemed to trivialize the engine light and the codes as "that emmission crap" (his words).....I know I am already stuck for the $89.00 diagnosis charge, and may have to shell out $$$ for some of the parts (50/50 warranty)...

Thing is, the truck seems to run great....SO I have two questions for you more Explorer-experienced folks...well 3 actually.

1) Are these common problems w/ the Explorer

2) What will running it the way it is cause and has the truck been damaged up to this point do you think?

3) How exactly does the Ford computer work? On my dodge, you fix a problem and the computer has to be reset at the dealer......If I were to do the work myself, would the computer sense the fixes and reset itself?

ok, 4) I have not purchased an extended warranty (yet)...would you folks recommend me getting one to cover the major mechanicals? The truck has 65k on it....

Thanks!

 

[Garrett]

david-
I chuckled to hear that the engine light was removed - that's one way of getting it to stop turning on! Anyhow, on a more productive note, I have several suggestions for ya'.

The engine light is on for a reason - and most of the time it's a sensor that's gone bad, or in your case, it sounds like it is just the sensors not being plugged in. My first attempt would be to plug everything in, reset the computer (by unplugging the battery for several minutes - half an hour? - I can't remember) and starting it back up and seeing if the light comes on. If the sensors are bad, I'd look into replacing them - or telling the dealer to do so since that's just plain bad business (a dealer standard). The sensors need to work correctly to avoid possible engine damage (especially cam sensors!), and on the minor end of the scale, bad performance and bad gas mileage.

My suggestion: spend $35 and get a code scanner to pull the codes yourself (very easy to do). Plug everything in and see what the codes are remaining. If some sensors are bad (which they do go bad), get the dealer to replace them since they are crucial items to your truck's performance. About the extended warranty, that's your call. I had a 93 XLT and the engine broke a connecting rod at 65K miles. I now have a 91 Navajo with 136000 miles on it - no problems! Some are good, some are bad, I guess.

I hope this helps you out some. These are great trucks, especially if you like to work on them. Good luck, and keep us posted as to what you find out.

 

[david zavetsky]

I had assumed that when the Ford dealer plugged the sensors back in that they would have reset the computer....Do you think its worth my trying anyway? All they said was that the codes stayed when they rescanned after plugging the sensors back in....

What brand scantool would you recommend? Sorry for all the questions, but I am a Dodge man by history......My dodges all allowed checking the basic hard codes codes without any special tools.....

 

[Bob Saf]

I just change the DPFE and EGR on a 1993 Taurus Wagon. The DPFE was a dealer item and cost $80.00 and the EGR was bought at the an auto part store for $35.00
You can clear out the codes in the computer
when you purchase a code reader.

I hope the helps.

Bob S
1994 XLT

 

[Pete]

>I had assumed that when the Ford dealer >plugged the sensors back in that they would >have reset the computer....Do you think its >worth my trying anyway? All they said was >that the codes stayed when they rescanned >after plugging the sensors back in....

Dave - The EEC-IV stores the codes until you either reset them manually by (1) disconnecting the battery or (2) you fix the problem and the EEC will reset the codes itself. It is supposed to do that. After you fix the problem the EEC will still store the code for awhile as a 'recently fixed' problem, and then it will delete the code.

>What brand scantool would you recommend? >Sorry for all the questions, but I am a >Dodge man by history......

I have an off-brand (Equus I think) and it works great. Cost $30. Buy it and don't even mess with the dealer again. You'll pay out that $30 the first time you use it.

Since you're a Dodge man, here's one for ya. Dead Link Removed

A man was dying of a terminal disease. He went to the doctor and asked what he should do.

The doc said, "Well, you need to do three things. The first is - you need to marry the most cantankerous, orneriest woman you can possibly find. The second is - you need to move to Kansas. The third and final thing is - you need to buy a Dodge truck".

Well, the man was obviously astounded by this strange prescription. "What the heck are those things going to do for me?"

"Not much, that's for sure. But it will make your last days seem like an eternity!"

Dead Link Removed Dead Link Removed Dead Link Removed

Have a great day!
Pete

------------------
Pete

Thought for the day:
Good judgement comes from experience;
Experience comes from bad judgment.

 

[dave zavetsky]

Actually, I think I heard that joke a few times before, each time with a different brand!

The way my luck has been going with my new Explorer in the first week I have owned it, I hope things improve.....it already feels like an eternity!

Seriously, though.....thanks for the scanner advice...I bought one the other day and confirmed the codes the dealer said were there....I took the truck back to where I got it and they are replacing some sensors.....The question is now if they will want to try to charge me....

 

[b]

The dealership better not charge you, if you bought the truck there! Legally, you can take them to court for selling a rig which is not legal to drive on the road. Call the BBB or the Regional Ford Dist. Center if no resolution because tampering or selling a rig without the federally mandated smog equipment is a state(sometimes)/Federal crime. Not that they prosecute this ever...

Just the same...look it up.

 

[dave zavetsky]

Well, got my rig back from the dealer yesterday.....

It was suprisingly an anti-climactic, non-event.

They replaced the windshield (which was cracked when I bought it)....thye re-used the state inspection stickers......(Is that legal!?)...........They replaced the DPFE sensor and Cam sensor.....The mechanic claims that the DPFE and the EVR sensors are one and the same.....Is this true? ANyways, no lights are coimng on, except at startup when they are supposed to.....

I plan to run my code checker on it again anyways just to double check.......

They also fixed the faulty drivers seat recliner mechanism (which sent me into the backseat 8 times!).....

So far, so good...about 40 miles since I picked it up.......

All this at no charge.........

 

[Darin]

Had to replace my DPFE on my 94 sport. Once I did, it ran great. I don't remember the codes though. If I were you, I would spend the $30 or so and buy a code scanner. They're easy to use and well worth the investment.

Good Luck

Darin