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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 06:24 AM
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Question Check Engine Light

Just purchased a used 99 Explorer to pull my sleds this winter. It is running really rough and the check engine light is on. It sometimes flashes 3 times. I am a female (not that girlz are totally clueless, but this one is). Any suggestions or ideas? Someone mentioned that it might be an oxygen sensor or an EGR.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 06:54 AM
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Try posting in the Explorer forum for a better response, but you should go and get the codes pulled to see what the problem is. You can throw a lot of money into the "might be this... " game and not fix the problem.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 06:57 AM
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OOPS!! Told you I "just" bought it. I am a little tired, it IS AN EXPEDITION! LOL, I live in Michigan and bought it in Ohio, so I have been up since 2:30am to get to work by 5:00am. Blonde moment
 
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 09:53 AM
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...Yep, take it in a get it scanned...Many auto parts stores and shops will do it for free...
Unless you KNOW what it is anything else is a waste of time...One of the benefits of computer controlled cars.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 12:45 PM
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You could buy a powerchips programmer, and not only will it give you better performance, but it will read codes as well. A good tool to have in your garage.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 12:51 PM
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Vanhecht
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gotta keep it simple here....we got a newbie, so take it slow...i third the auto parts store, they will do it for free
 
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 01:26 PM
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Moved to proper forum.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 04:20 AM
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OKAY guys, thanks to this Forum, I replaced the PCV valve and no help, read the codes and it was a cylinder mis-firing. Changed the plugs and IT RUNS LIKE NEW! If I have any other problems I will be sure to come to this site.

PS - Went off - roading yesterday and climbs these muddy hills in Michigan like they were nothing!!!!
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 06:44 AM
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...Ahhh...the wonders of modern technology...
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 06:44 AM
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MiSnowRider,

Its good that you got it repaired..Did you do the plugs yourself or farm it out?

Sometimes a cylinder misfire is caused by the coil pack going bad. Do you know which cylinder it was? Just keep an eye on it and if it happens again the coil would be culprit.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 08:00 AM
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Farmed it out, I run a gravel train company so I had one of my mechanics do it for me.

Thanks, I will keep an eye on it!
 
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Old Nov 25, 2003 | 09:43 AM
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Just a thought... my 98 expy had a code problem that turned out to be a cylinder mis-firing. This was at 28,000 miles. Was told to change plugs, did wires too. 100 miles later the problem recurred! Went to a dealer to discuss, they asked me if the coolant hose problem had been fixed. What? Turns out that there was a problem on my vehicle that allowed a hose to leak and foul one of the plugs. They added the necessary mod, very low cost out of warranty, and I have not had any further problems. Now at 58,000 miles.

Moral is sometimes the dealers have the best inside information.
(With the two code problems I sought help at three independent repair shops, all while towing on vacation, that had no idea about the problem.)
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 07:57 AM
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GUESS WHAT - Ended up being a cracked head!!! Dealer is paying for the entire repair as well as the rental car.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 05:57 PM
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Originally posted by MiSnowRider
GUESS WHAT - Ended up being a cracked head!!! Dealer is paying for the entire repair as well as the rental car.
Wow, a crack-head! I had a similar problem and it turned out to be a leak in the vacuum hose or something. Also they replaced all of the spark plugs due to a misfire.
 
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