Hi,
I need help! I have a 1993 ford explorer with a V6 engine.
I stalled in the rain and the engine would turn but not start. Towed the truck home and a few hours later restarted the car with success though the idle would be rough and it would sometimes surge in rpm's. Next morning started the truck though it would do the same thing with check engine light coming on after the engine would idle smooth then rough out and die.
I pulled out my OBD 1 reader and did the process winding up with these codes.
159- o
226- o
10- pause break for next set of codes
212- c
232- c

I had shown the codes to a neighbor and he suggested I change the coil which i did install a new coil but got these code:
159- c
10 - pause
212- c
232- c
I searched on the web though my searches take me to the 232 code which is a fuel pump though it doesn't say anything like that in the obd1 code info.
I'm not sure what the next step to take and would appreciate your help to solve the problem as this is my work car.
Thanks

 

I have the factory service manual for the 1993 Ford Truck and the definition for code 232 does not agree with what you found. Here are the code definitions per the 1993 Ford Factory Service Manual:

159 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) higher or lower than expected
226 - Ignition Diagnostic Monitor (IDM) signal not received
212 - Loss of IDM input to PCM / SPOUT circuit grounded
232 - PCM detected coil 1,2,3, or 4 primary circuit failure

There seem to be maybe 2 different issues here, a MAF circuit issue and an ignition system issue. My recall of troubleshooting from back in the OBD-I days is you start with the highest code and work to lower codes as the higher code numbers may solve the lower code numbers. That seems likely to apply here since the higher number codes all relate to the ignition system.

Since you already replaced the coil and still have the 232 code I'd say there is something not telling the coil to trigger. Based on the "SPOUT circuit grounded" part of code 212, I'd suggest you start by inspecting the SPOUT shorting connector to make sure it is not pinched and doesn't have worn insulation that is exposing wire. If that checks out fine, then I'd suggest you start to look at the ignition control module and the crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor. I'm not sure if your 1993 Explorer uses one or both of those sensors to trigger the ignition module (I haven't dug that deep in to the service manual yet).

The MAF code and MAF sensor could explain the rough idle that you've experienced. Make sure the MAF is properly connected and check the integrity of the intake air tubing between the MAF and the throttle body. Make sure all connections are fully seated around the circumference and carefully inspect the accordion folds to make sure there are no cracks in the folds.

-Rod