I have a 93 Explorer XLT (manual transmission) that has 104k miles that I have been having trouble with. It is quitting momentarily while driving around town and on the freeway. It usually happens about one or twice a day, I usually drive about 25 miles per day. When it quits the check engine light comes on momentarily and then it starts right back up again (since it is a manual transmission and it happens so fast that I usually don't have time to push in on the clutch, so it just bump starts itself agian). I pulled the codes and it gave no fault codes on the KOEO test but it pulled a continous code of 211 which is a PIP circuit failure. Since this truck has DIS (no distributor) it doesn't have the TFI module, instead it has a crankshaft position sensor and an EI module to turn the crankshaft position signal into a PIP signal. Now for the questions. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be causing the driveability problem and fault code? Could it be as simple as the Crankshaft position sensor or the EI module or could something else be indirectly causing the driveability problem and fault code? I don't really know how to trouble shoot the Crankshaft position sensor or EI module other than just replacing them and seeing where that takes me but that is an expensive venture. Does anyone have any suggestions for testing the Crankshaft position sensor or EI module? I guess that the dealer probably has the tools to diagnose the problem but the problem is intermitant and I am afraid I would spend a lot of money for no resoultion. Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

 

Before you go out and spend a bunch of money, you may want to check that the connectors are making good contact at the crank pos sensor, ignition module, coil pack and PCM. I would open each one up, check for corrosion, clean all contact surfaces and lubricate with dialectric grease first just to eliminate that possibility of bad connection. You can also check for frayed insulation/loose crimp connections while poking around there.

Without special equipment I doubt you can troubleshoot a intermittent ignition problem yourself. When and if it comes time to start replacing things, start with the most likely (and least expensive by my guess) and do the crank sensor. Without it working properly, no ignition will happen at all. Next move to the coil pack ($60.00),(these first 2 items are probably the most subject to heat/vibration) then to the ignition module ($125-$150.00 item)

Dialtone

 

Dialtone,

Thanks for the info, I'll do just that tomorrow and check all the connectors for corrosion and then lubricate them with dielectric grease. I do live in a state (Utah) that gets a lot of snow and they salt the roads heavily around here in the winter time. Since the Crankshaft position sensor is down low I could see how that connector in particular could become corroded from all the salt and moisture.

I understand how faulty coil packs would give me driveability problems, but I don't see how they would give me the 211 fault code. Thanks again for the info.

ekib