92 Explorer pinging under acceleration

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Dec 7, 2003 | 01:37 PM

69mustang

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From: The Poconos of PA

92 Explorer pinging under acceleration

Hi,
I read a post that stated there is a ECT, an electronic coolant thermo something or other that could be sending the wrong reading to my computer. Where is this thing and can it be cleaned or replaced?
Thanks,
Joe
Oh yeah, sorry... it's a 92 Explorer 4x4 automatic 4 door XLT 4.0 V6 Engine.

Last edited by 69mustang; Dec 7, 2003 at 01:47 PM.

Dec 7, 2003 | 06:51 PM

mrshorty

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From: UT

ECT=Engine Coolant Temperature sensor. Screws into the intake manifold near the thermostat housing. If the ECT is sending incorrect information to the computer, that could cause pinging. The ECT is a simple thermistor (resistance is a function of temperature) and can be tested quite easily using a volt/ohm meter.
There are also other, more common causes of pinging on the 4.0 OHV. Have you checked/cleaned the MAF? lower intake manifold bolts? other vacuum leak? fuel pressure?

Dec 8, 2003 | 11:04 AM

69mustang

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From: The Poconos of PA

Thanks for the suggestions mrshorty, I'll check the ECT and the MAF and go from there.
Later,
Joe

Dec 8, 2003 | 07:57 PM

golfboy17

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Let me give you some advice, in these situations people are ussualy quick to replace the sensors which run you about 100 and you cant return them if i it turns into be something else, so do a little more diagnosing, check the fuel filter, pump, MAF. Is you check engine light on? Also does the truck seem like it has not power? Could be running lean, due to a fuel pump going bad, or a clogged fuel filter or MAF or it could be a sensor, its hard to diagnose problems like this its really up to you just give you some tips

Dec 9, 2003 | 08:28 AM

69mustang

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From: The Poconos of PA

Thanks for the reply golfboy17,
The check engine light is not on, there doesn't seem to be a loss of power. The only symptom is the pinging while accelerating hard or uphill on the highway. I tried higher octane but no change. Maybe I didn't give it a chance, maybe I should try a few tank fulls of higher octane. I would like to test the MAF, can you tell me how? Can I test it with my OHM meter? I think I found the MAF, is it the device on the air intake snorkel? It has those funny security screw heads on it, I guess I'll have to get a special allen wrench or screw driver to remove it. Can it be cleaned without removing the screws, maybe from inside the snorkel?
Thanks,
Joe

Dec 9, 2003 | 10:02 AM

mrshorty

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From: UT

An electrical test of the MAF involves measuring the voltage at the vehicle power terminal of the MAF and the MAF return voltage. Recognize that, often when the MAF is the cause of detonation, it isn't due to an electrical fault, but rather due to dirty filaments. With dirty filaments, the MAF return voltage indicates a lower amount of air entering the engine than actual. This error in the reading increases as more air is drawn into the engine (under heavier loads). In this case, the filaments need cleaning. Get a set of security torx bits (I got mine for ~$10 at Autozone), remove the sensor from the housing, carefully clean the filaments with O2 sensor safe throttle body cleaner/electrical contact cleaner/ isopropyl alcohol/or similar, reassemble.