Engine Management Light

[Peter Elvin]

Help 1997 4.0 UK spec explorer the engine management light at the bottom right of the instruments likes to come on and stay on for several months. I have taken the car to my local dealer for service and he can find no fault. When you disconnect the battery and reset the computer it goes out, however as soon as you go on the freeway at a reasonable speed for any distance it comes back on.
The overdrive light somtimes flashes until the car is turned off over night then goes away and may not return for several weeks. the engine light somtimes goes out but not for more than 24 hours. Also I have noted that the car somtimes feels as if it is unable to rev or kick down when the light is on but this has not happened for some time now. Both I and my dealer would welcome any suggestions.

Thanks Peter near London UK

 

[Robert]

I am certain that even for your U.K. spec Explorer that it still has OBD-II diagnostics. Until you find someone that is willing to hook up a code scanner that will tell them what code is causing the light to come on, it could be a very costly fix by replacing by suggestions. I would think even in the U.K. your Ford dealer would have an OBD-II scanner since OBD-II has been required on every car built or sold in the U.S. since 1996. There should be enough Ford's in the U.K. now with OBD-II for your dealer to justify buying the scanner. Tell your dealer to go shopping. If they have a scanner and are just reluctant to use it or do not know how to use it then you need to go shopping for another dealer. Tell us the codes and you will likely get a lot of useful suggestions on where to go next.

 

[jwrezz]

Go to autoXray and get a scanner. For the 100 or so bucks it's well worth it the very first time the lite comes on. It tells you exactly what caused the lite to come on, and it'll even reset the computer w/ out having to disconnect the bat. Neat little toy that is really useful.

 

[Robert]

The least expensive AutoXray scanner he could use on his '97 Explorer is the $199 OBD-II, Ford only scanner. Since he is in the U.K., he probably won't be able to find a retailer over there where he could buy one. He can try buying it through AutoXray's on-line store, but that is only if they export. I own the EZ-LINK PRO-PACK and do agree that it is a very useful tool. I wouldn't call it a toy, even if my Wife does . I have also spent many days at the manufacturer with the owner and the software engineer while they used my Explorer for some testing.

UPDATE: I just checked their web-site and they do ship internationally. They also list another retailer that ships internationally (http://www.autocheckup.com/) for less than getting it directly through AutoXray.

 

[jwrezz]

If you're on this website, you obviously care about your vehicle and more than likely spend more money than most on it. 200 bucks for the auto xray is more than worth it. I was lucky, when I ordered it, it came programed w/ every thing (ford, chrysler, chevy) all I had to do was get the right cable for each application. Get it if you plan on keeping the Ex. and like to do the work yourself. If you're gonna bring it to a mech. all the time, then have them do it. Hows that sound?

 

[Mark Drysdale]

Another UK Explorer Owner

Mine did that too, Ford a really unless in the Uk at diagnostics, does it have any other symptoms like rough idle.

OBDII readers in the UK are difficult to come by and expensive, import would be the only options.

Ask your dealer to read the codes the next time it comes on. they only charge about £30.

i paid for access to alldatadiy for the 97X and if you e-mail the codes to me, I will get the diagnostics for you and e-mail them.

Us UK X owners have to stick together.

my e-mail is www.mark_drysdale47@hotmail.com

Regards
Scottish Explorer Owner

 

[Mark Drysdale]

DTcs

This link may help once you have got the codes.

Dead Link Removed

This is primarily for 1997 Xs but I dairsay it should be suitable for any 4.0l SOHC with OBDII