The Explorer came with the new girlfriend

[Interstate85]

It made the deal that much better. : Now i'm trying to sort it out a little and get it in shape. The check engine light is really starting to get on my nerves!!! Hope to have some fun and education here!

 

[corkey]

get an OBD 2 code reader,or get the codes retrieved at Autozone,, and find out why it has the C E L,,
than it will be even better ,

 

[Interstate85]

Thanks Corkey,
In the process of doin that. First code was for MAF sensor...$121.95 Reset light. A day later came back on. Autozone 1 said o2 sensors bank 1 sensors 1 and 2. Autozone 2 said more codes both banks, MARF again, lean conition, missfires and more. bought a couple sensors, $127.??, and thought i new what to do with them. Now the diagram doesn't match my engine. I guess i need a Ford manual and an EE degree....

 

[Turdle]

yeah--please next time post up the codes before you buy anything. Autozone is only there to sell you parts, not get your truck fixed.



the po171 and 174 are indeed 02 sensor codes, however the code means the 02 sensor is reporting a lean condition.Doing it's job in other words--

The most common cause is a intake manifold leak. It is a very common item. Search for intake gasket and you will see what I mean.

Good luck.

You might--on a slim chance need the sensors, but I would return them at this point. Rarely do 2 sensors go at once--serious.

 

[corkey]

i agree, sensors just report, they show you that you have a problem, not what causes it,

 

[Joe Dirt]

I guess i need a Ford manual and an EE degree....

Nah- you need to stop going to that Autozone, and start hanging out here!

 

[Interstate85]

Thanks guys.

OK, I'm feeling dumn yet a little smarter...I found the code print outs that i got last night at the two different Autozones. The first Autozone showed a PO171. The second autozone showed both a P0171 and a P0174. Funny the computer only reports a "rich or lean condition" and it can't tell which. But since it started showing it in both banks supports it not really being the sensors. An intake manifold leak would likely give those two codes.

I just joined this forum today to try to benifit from your collective experience and smarts. I'm still really bad troubleshooting late model computer controlled vehicles. AND I haven't navigated this forum yet.

Please give me any more insight with the information I just gave and/or send me / tell me what part of this site to go to begging for help???

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! A lean code could mean that you have leaking vacuum lines, bad spark plugs or a leaking intake manifold gasket.

 

[Tbars4]

...Reasons for a p0171/P0174...

A) Not the o2 sensors

1) Probably Vacuum leak
2) Clean the MAF
3) EGR tube leak
4) Plugs and wires

OR 5) Intake manifold gaskets..


...Now on to the pics of the truck and the girlfriend...

 

[RKH58]

Welcome Interstate85

New girlfriend, nice. All I got were these lousy jumper cables.

 

[Kriegen]

Hope the girlfriend's a keeper, would suck to lose the Ex

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Do we have pictures of the girlfriend???? lol

 

[tom_mcmullen006]

I worked at autozone for a while. I was the only person there TRYING to help the customer. the managers and everyone else was just there to sell parts. careful of those guys. the guys at NAPA, at least here in Yelm WA know what the hell is going on. <----- my 0.02 cents.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The Autozone store near where I live was very good when they first opened up, then as time progressed, the quality of the store degraded. New people were hired that don't care about their customers. I sometimes get the feeling like I'm bothering them when I ask them if they have something in stock, then they tell me to look for it myself. Sometimes they say that they don't have something just because they don't feel like looking for it. The same thing happened with the Lowe's, and Home Depot in my area. Doesn't anybody care about doing their job properly these days?

 

[tom_mcmullen006]

im thinking not. I was actually fired from both walmart and autozone for helping the customers! I couldnt believe that ****. Goes to show you they care more about profit than they do about customer service.

 

[jad2411]

Hey I-85 I got a cheap code reader on the walmart on Zaragoza and Montwood, OBII-Can for $45, I would just read the codes and come here to the site to search for the answers, cheaper than going to Autozone hehehe, sucks that it got stolen, but I'll drop by to see if they still have them on stock.

BTW any hail damage from last week's storm?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Interstate85]

Thanks all... Well most all...LOL

I'm headed back to the garage to search for vacum leaks. It's like spaghetti hiding all around a refinery. i'm guessing things are a little easier to see on the ohv engines. Got a can of starter fluid to help. I know folks have been using that method for years. Still makes me nervous. I guess it's better than the guy who suggested using propane.

Thanks for the lead on the inexpensive code reader Jad. Does that one reset the Check engine light too? I didnt' get the hail storm here that the east side of el paso got. I live in north east. Did your trucks get dinged?

 

[Turdle]

Actually, I would feel safer using a propane torch--just me I guess.

 

[tom_mcmullen006]

to find vac. leaks ive used water and mild soap to find the holes. its safer that way. I learned it in shop class at the highschool i went to and this shop ive spent a little time at.

 

[jad2411]

It does reset the CEL which is cool, but it's obviously not that fancy, just a basic reader, it's inova not sure of the model.

my trucks didn't thankfully, but my sis' focus took a beating, my 97 has hail damage from 06, if you were living in EP at that time I'm sure you'll remember what a mess we had back then