gas cap and service engine soon light and other questions

[indyrenegade4x4]

I have a 2002 4wd explorer. I have had it for app. 9 months now. It seems to be falling apart. The back hatch molding cracked. The gas cap light came on today along with the service engine soon light. I tightned the cap 3 different times and still on. Is there a way I can delete the lights or is there a problem? The tranny shifts from neutral to drive like there is nothing in between them. It maybe a new thing. On my 2003 work van when I put it into drive I have to pull the handle in. On my explorer I don't it just slides in to gear. Is that normal? I have heard a ton of bad luck with these explorers from a bunch of mechanics. How have you guys done with yours good or bad? I have heard also that the motor has two timing chains on the 4 liter V6. Is that true? Any help will be great. Thanks!

 

[Glacier991]

You need to find out what codes are being stored by the computer... that will direct us to the system having problems.....theyare called DTC's or diagnostic trouble codes.
Autozone might read them for you, get them and come back WITH NUMBERS (not what some nice and helpful autozone geeks says they mean). Example.. P0420

 

[briwayjones]

It should just slide from Drive to neutral. If you go into or out of reverse you have to use the button.