Got a check engine light, only had it a day.

[thecause17]

I just bought my Explorer yesterday. It's a '97 Sport 2-door, SOHC.....


I put about 50 miles on it yesterday, and while cruising down the highway with it, the CEL came on. It stayed on....even after shutting it off, it was still on. Finally after some driving on local roads at lower speeds, it shut off. It was fine all day today, until I got back out on the highway again, and once again, crusing at about 60mph for a few minutes, the light came on, and stayed on the whole way home.

I'm not sure of how to deal with this vehicle, as I am new to the OBDII, as well as the Explorer and the SOHC 4.0...my Ranger was an OHV.

To me this sounds like an O2, or EGR related problem. Is there any way of figuring this out before I take it back to the dealer and *****?

I have a 3000mile/3 month powertrain warranty, but I'm not sure this will be covered.

 

[Opera House]

Autoparts stores like Autozone will read it for free. Just be sure you write down the actual code number and not their explanation of the code.

 

[00XLS]

Sounds like a misfire problem to me, happend in my 96 Blazer (OBDII also) alot. I'd drive on the highway, light would come on. After some city driving or what not, light would go off. Had it scanned and it kept coming up PO304- Cylinder #4 Misfire. I did just about everything possible to fix it with no luck. Good luck to you.

 

[JPA1982]

i would guess EGR, cause thats what mine did for awhile, before finally staying on all the time, until i replaced it, part(EGR valve=$40 maybe) at local autopart stores,but like its been said, go have them test it for free and get the CODE.

 

[y3kbuddy]

sorry to hijack the thread but, my CEL has been on for quite a while now. From time to time it turns off but then turns on again. I have no idea what the codes or anything means so could this be the same EGR problem you guys are having? What is the EGR problem??? I have a 4.0 OHV.

 

[snocross1985]

The only way to know why you are getting a CEL is to scan the codes with a scanner or go to a place like autozone that will scan for free. You can listn to everyone else's reasons why they think you are getting the CEL and spend money on sensless repairs, or you can get the codes scanned for free an fix the problem that you have. It only takes a few minutes to get the codes scanned and autozone can even print out h codes and what they men for you (no charge as well). Thn you can fix the problem yourself if you can or go to your local dealership or mechanic for a repair. Sorry if I came across as being a jerk, writing english papers does that to me

 

[JPA1982]

ya, it could be, go to autozone, say "i'd like to have codes checked cause of CEL,please" takes them about 2 mins, write down the code, i guess u can listen to what they say or just take the code to the dealer, then decide if u want them to fix it , or do it yourself, if EGR quick fix,common failure on the X