Check engine light

[dontendupzero]

OK here's my problem. My Explorer runs like crap. When I accelerate its very sluggish, but when the check engine light comes on it runs perfectly fine. I've been thinking the EGR valve or the mass air flow sensor. What do you guys think? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[martin]

I think you should pull the codes. Guessing gets real expensive real quick.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I think you should pull the codes. Guessing gets real expensive real quick.

+1

The one thing I can think of off the top of my head that might be an explaination (but you should still get codes pulled, some auto parts stores will do that for free) would be that the computer is seeing an intermittent problem with the oxygen sensors on the exhaust and when the light comes on is when it sees the problem and the computer kicks into the sort of emergency run condition.

Of course, it could also be a collection of other problems... there is way too much open territory to track it down without more information.

 

[MountainMike]

Here are the things that my trucks had. The oxygen sensors were coated and were giving the computer intermently weird signals. Also the #1 cylinder had a little bit of oil burning in it. Pull that plug because from what I heard my truck isn't the first on they had with issues in that #1 cylinder. My bosses explorer did too. Keep us posted.

 

[adsm08]

Got to auto zone or advanced, get yourself some codes and come back with those. We will be a lot more help pinpointing a problem with codes.

Since it is running better when the light is on it's definitely going into failure default mode.

 

[xr75er]

my sons explorer had a bad maf. check engine came on then would go off all the time. repaleced it at advance auto parking lot ( even loaned us the 10 mm wrench. ran fine ever since $ months ago. hope this helps. $80.00 for the new

 

[dontendupzero]

auto-zone said they cant pull the codes because the explorer is too old. Its a 93

 

[adsm08]

try advance, being a babbling idiot isn't one of their hiring requirements.

If you really end up stuck, go down to sears and invest $50 in an OBDI code reader. If you keep the truck for any length of time you will def get your money out of it.

 

[retep88]

if it's obd1, you can just get the codes through the CEL. This is a pretty good video on pulling the codes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivxDYSmGjHc. You don't need there fancy tool, all you need is a piece of wire or a paper clip to jump the connection.