Running rough after shock install

[98XplorerSprt]

Hey guys,

I spent the morning changing the front shocks on our 98 Explorer Sport.

The install went seemless (pretty straight forward) however after taking the Explorer for a ride I immediately noticed it wasn't running right. While accelerating the power felt down but once it got going it felt ok but not perfect. While driving around for a few more minutes after accelerating it "stumbled" but got going. Over a 10 minute drive it stumbled 2x on acceleration and felt underpowered when it didn't stumble.

Put the car in the driveway and cursed to myself a little. Checked the engine and everything looks ok. I started the truck up and it idled very rough and seemed like it wanted to die. RPMS were fluctuating up and down.

I'm pretty frustrated and don't understand how changing shocks caused this. The only things I can think of is some of the Liquid Wrench and White Lithium Grease I used hit something electrical?

I was pretty liberal with the Liquid Wrench on the top shock nut because it was completely rusted on, also sprayed the bottom shock bolts with it. After installing the new shocks I sprayed (rattle can) Lithium Grease on the top shock bolt, sway bar end links, and sway bar bushings. On the drivers side I did get some grease on the brake lines and on the passenger side I hit the manifolds but wiped that up. It "doesn't look" like I hit any spark plugs and spark plug wires or any other electrical connections.

Check engine light is on, but I am not sure if it is for this becuase I already have a bad cat that I haven't gotten around to so if I am throwing a code I wouldn't know. I might have to stumble my way to Autozone

Any recommendations?

 

[eXcali]

just for giggles I would check your plug wires, make sure they are seated on both the plugs and coil pack firmly.

 

[dogfriend]

My thoughts:

a) You inadvertently pulled something loose while working on the shocks; a plug wire, a vacuum line, or electrical connector

or

b) It is just a coincidence, and it has nothing at all to do with changing the shocks. Getting the code(s) would help determine if this is the case.

 

[aldive]

Check vacuum lines.

 

[alohamonte]

i did the same thing when i did my shocks last summer...

check your vacuum lines by the upper part of the shock mount, front driver's side.

 

[98XplorerSprt]

Thanks guys, I'll try and get around to it within the next couple of days. I hope it is just a vacuum line

 

[98XplorerSprt]

i did the same thing when i did my shocks last summer...

check your vacuum lines by the upper part of the shock mount, front driver's side.

Do you happen to have a picture of this vacuum line?

Is it closer to the firewall or closer to the headlights? While unbolting the top bolt I broke it off (rusted bad), so maybe as I broke it off the wrench could have knocked the line out.

Starting to feel better, I really hope this is it!

 

[98XplorerSprt]

My buddy came over with his scanner and here is a list of codes the Explorer is throwing

P1747 Pressure Control Solenoid A Short Circuit
P0743 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Electrical
P0743 TCC Solenoid Circuit
P0750 Shift Solenoid A
P0760 Shift Solenoid "C"
P0765 Shift Solenoid D
P1451 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit
P0133 HO2S Slow Response Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0135 HO2S Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0141 HO2S Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2
P0153 HO2S Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0155 Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit (bank 2, sensor 1)
P0161 HO2S Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2
P1409 EGR Vacuum Regulator Solenoid Circuit
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

Looks like something electrical. Anyone have a clue of where I should start looking? I know I blew a 15A fuse, pretty sure it was for the O2Heaters.

 

[dogfriend]

Yes, it looks like an electrical issue. Look for damage to the wiring harness(es) in the area near where you replaced the shock absorbers. Also, you may want to try disconnecting the O2 sensors to see if you still get the other codes. It looks like there is a problem that is pulling down the voltage for several sensors.

 

[98XplorerSprt]

I think I fixed the problem. I blew a fuse that controlled most of the items above (15A fuse in I believe location 13). I replaced the fuse and drove around 10 miles tonight and everything seems to be going smoothly.