Check engine light is on?

Tiny
KDG3366
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 100 MILES
Just bought this vehicle it has 4.0 engine not the one where you have to take the tire off to get to spark plugs. I went to Autozone says to replace MAF sensor, but on Rockauto it says it might not just be the MAF so I was wondering about replacing the O2 sensor as well? I think I have more than on O2 sensor. I was just assuming there is only one the one that is usually at the back of the engine. What do you think?
Monday, August 1st, 2016 AT 6:40 PM

43 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
What is the exact code numbers not code descriptions you have in the computer? I need you to use this guide to let me know.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, August 1st, 2016 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
KDG3366
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Well I work nights which means I am at work. I have the paper at home I will have to get that to you later. Thanks.
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Monday, August 1st, 2016 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome please share the code with me when you can.
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Monday, August 1st, 2016 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
KDG3366
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P0171 and P0302.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 1:10 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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P0302 is misfire cylinder two, start here and this may solve all your problems. Check comps, spark and vacuum leaks around this cylinder, start here.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 2:10 AM
Tiny
KDG3366
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  • 5 POSTS
So maybe the coil pack. Hmm okay.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
KDG3366
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I do not know how to check for vacuum leaks. Okay, I will just sell it.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 2:15 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Spray a little engine starter around the inlet manifold (engine running) and if the revs pick up momentarily there will be a vacuum leak there.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 2:20 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I would concentrate on the vacuum leak it could cause a lean miss and cause the p0302 code. When you sorry around use card spray when you get close to the let the rims can go up or down.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 7:23 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Number one fix for the p0171 is replacing the fuel filter. If yours has not been replaced in a while it would not hurt to do it. Second most common fix is intake manifold gasket leaking vacuum there is a starting point.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
DIXONAB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
The check engine light comes on when the weather dips below -7 degrees celcius (or so). Usually when I hook it up to a diagnositc machine, I get one of the following codes: P0171 or P0174.

Today while driving to work, the light came on again. I hooked up the scan tool, and it came back with NO codes. The light was on, but no codes were present? How is that possible?

My O2 sensors seems to be working fine according to the scan tool (the graphs are not just flat, there is some movement), so what else could be causing the problme? Specifically, what could be causing those codes? Why does this only happen in the cold weather?

Help? Thanks.
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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PO171 - Fuel Trim System Lean (Bank 1)

PO174 - Fuel Trim too Lean (Bank 2)

Based on your description, my first guess would be the temp sending unit. It tells the computer ambient temp and coolant temp. From that, the computer determines how rich or lean to make the fuel mixture.

If that isn't the problem, check for an intake leak or other vacuum leaks.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRAVIS C
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 128,956 MILES
My check engine light came on, so I took it and pulled the codes. It said it was running lean on bank one and bank two. The guy at the shop told me since it was running lean on both banks, it is a bad mass air flow sensor instead of bad O2 sensors. I replaced the mass air flow sensor and he disconnected my battery to clear the code. I live in the houston area and emissions are important for inspection. I got my car inspected, then about a month later the check engine light came on again. I pulled the codes and again it is running lean on bank one and bank two. What should I do?
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Have you checked for vacuum leaks?
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRAVIS C
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I haven't heard any hisssing commonly associated with a vacuum leak. When I reset the code by disconnecting the battery it will take about a month before the light comes back on. I'll run it and see if I can find any though. Any other suggestions. I have noticed it sometimes wants to bog down slightly when I hit the gas pedal at a light or stop sign, but then the rpms pick right back up.
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+1
Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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That is my first guess. If you are getting too much air to the engine, it will show a lean mixture. Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ODKACEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
Every time I start my car, the rpm starts going down and then it would jump up and it does that for about 3 minutes and sometimes it will turn off, and then (almost every time) while I am driving, the car starts jerking and without moving my foot off the gas pedal, my speed would go down by itself and then will jump back up by itself after a couple of minutes, and the check engine light flashes during that time (The light is always on usually in my car). Any ideas? BTW I did try and use fuel injector cleaner, because I was told that it could be the problem but did not work. I appreciate any help.
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If the check engine light is on, chances are there is a code stored in the computer that will identify where he problem is coming from. Based on your description, it sounds like a bad throttle position sensor, but that is a guess until you have the computer scanned. Most parts stores will scan the computer for free.

Have that done and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKETKNIGHT03
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
Engine Performance problem
1999 Ford Explorer V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 150k miles

Replaced everything to do with the EDIS module ignition system. Still kicking a miss fire code, seafoamed it out. Notta, checked all the vacuum lines on it. Cleaned them out and also looked for leaks. Throttle body looks good and no issue. Fuel pressure is at 40psi, which is good. Runs good until cel comes on, so closed loop mode. Just has a check engine light that seems to never to want to leave.
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Hi To help would you post the code?
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)

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