Hey everyone!

[harge01]

I just joined the forum/site and am glad to find a place where I can get some help. Although I am not what you would call a "mechanic", I am "mechanical". I have worked on cars most of my teen and early 20's as a hobby/side job. I am much older than that now and have been away from it for a LONG time. Hence the need for help!

I have a '97 Explorer XLT and at some point I would like to start restoring it back to its original beauty. It has been a great vehicle and has been on many family excursions to grandma's and all the woods in-between.

This Saturday I will be replacing plugs and wires in hopes to remove a BAD skip/misfire that just came on and came on quickly. From there I will be diving into the forum headlong I am sure especially if this doesn't resolve the issue. (ignition coils, injectors...?????)

Blessings,

Gary

 

[Joe Dirt]

Welcome Gary! :wavey:

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site Gary. We have quite a few Explorer repair videos that will show you how to fix certain things on your truck.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you have a check engine light with a code?

 

[harge01]

@BrooklynBay

No codes yet, I think my "Service Engine Light", SEL, is burned out. I don't believe with what the vehicle is doing right now the computer would not caues the light to go on.

Secondly, my code reader uses a serial port to the computer so I am waiting to hear from CarChip if a converter (Serial to USB) will work. In the meantime I am going to ask the local parts store on Saturday to read it for me.

Thanks!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[harge01]

Welcome to this forum! Do you have a check engine light with a code?

Hey BrooklynBay,

plugs, wires and fuel filter have solved the problem. Vehicle is running great! 149,000 was when the odometer stopped working three years ago.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! Which brand did you use for the spark plugs & cables?

 

[harge01]

I used OEM Motorcraft platinum plugs and I cannot remember the brand of wires. They were cut to proper length and I got them from Advanced Auto Parts. They were as thick if not thicker than the wires that came off and were described as OEM replacements.

Blessings