Breathnach
New Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2013
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
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- City, State
- APO AE.
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Ford Explorer
Good day all,
Looking for a good lead on how to fix my headache. I got a 03 Explorer Limited V8 (120K) that has an idle issue. Here is the run down.
Problem:
Bessy starts perfect and purrs when cold - not technically the problem.. but stay with me
Once warmed up and when in "Park", when I rev the engine and release the RPMs will drop low and she will either stall or gasp and return to normal idle.
When warm and in "Drive" she runs fine as long as I am on the trottle. When I approach a stop and I take my foot off the gas, the RPMs drop to about 300-500 and she will either stall or recover. If she recovers, she will have a surge in the the idle (300-1000 RPM). Once I put my foot on the gas- she's good to go until I have to take my foot off the gas again.
"Service Engine Soon" light is on and she is throwing P0113 & P0102 error code.
What I have done already:
Searched this forum for like symtoms and with common sense (which some may argue I lack at times) narrowed it down to what the codes are throwing as well as the PCV valve and respective hose and fittings.
For the PCV, I replaced the valve and all hose and fittings and ensured no cracks or leaks - including the crank case breather tube and fittings.
For the error codes I discovered they are both related to the MAF sensor. According to my Haynes manual the IAT sensor is housed in the MAF sensor.
P0102: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Low Input
P0113: Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input
In order to kill two birds with one stone, I replaced the entire MAF sensor and she is still behaving badly.
Note to respective readers: I read in the fourms that while the vehicle is running - if you disconnect the MAF sensor the computer will default to a preset fuel/air mixture and make your vehicle run normal; however, when I disconnect mine she gives me the prevebial middle finger and dies. Even when I leave it disconnected and try to start her she will turn over, but won't catch. This is the case with the new and old MAF sensor.
After replacing with a new sensor is there some sort of reset I need to do to ensure the computer recognizes the new MAF sensor??
I appreciate any assistance you can throw my way. I am a USAF member stationed in Germany and getting parts for my Explorer takes time and so is the wait for an experinced mechanic that can work on US cars.
Dan W.
Looking for a good lead on how to fix my headache. I got a 03 Explorer Limited V8 (120K) that has an idle issue. Here is the run down.
Problem:
Bessy starts perfect and purrs when cold - not technically the problem.. but stay with me

Once warmed up and when in "Park", when I rev the engine and release the RPMs will drop low and she will either stall or gasp and return to normal idle.
When warm and in "Drive" she runs fine as long as I am on the trottle. When I approach a stop and I take my foot off the gas, the RPMs drop to about 300-500 and she will either stall or recover. If she recovers, she will have a surge in the the idle (300-1000 RPM). Once I put my foot on the gas- she's good to go until I have to take my foot off the gas again.
"Service Engine Soon" light is on and she is throwing P0113 & P0102 error code.
What I have done already:
Searched this forum for like symtoms and with common sense (which some may argue I lack at times) narrowed it down to what the codes are throwing as well as the PCV valve and respective hose and fittings.
For the PCV, I replaced the valve and all hose and fittings and ensured no cracks or leaks - including the crank case breather tube and fittings.
For the error codes I discovered they are both related to the MAF sensor. According to my Haynes manual the IAT sensor is housed in the MAF sensor.
P0102: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Low Input
P0113: Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input
In order to kill two birds with one stone, I replaced the entire MAF sensor and she is still behaving badly.
Note to respective readers: I read in the fourms that while the vehicle is running - if you disconnect the MAF sensor the computer will default to a preset fuel/air mixture and make your vehicle run normal; however, when I disconnect mine she gives me the prevebial middle finger and dies. Even when I leave it disconnected and try to start her she will turn over, but won't catch. This is the case with the new and old MAF sensor.
After replacing with a new sensor is there some sort of reset I need to do to ensure the computer recognizes the new MAF sensor??
I appreciate any assistance you can throw my way. I am a USAF member stationed in Germany and getting parts for my Explorer takes time and so is the wait for an experinced mechanic that can work on US cars.
Dan W.
