I have a 95 Explorer XLT V6 4.0 liter. It does not have a towing package. I bought a boat/motor/trailer that weighs approx. 2500 lbs. Should I be able to tow this without a problem? I brought the boat home today (60 mile trip) and the check engine light came on after 30 miles. It did go off after shutting the engine off and restarting shortly, but it came back on about 10 miles later. I am really stressing because now I have bought this boat and I am worried that I will be unable to tow it and frankly, I don't need an $8000 yard ornament!! I towed it before buying it for 20 miles and didn't have any problem. These roads are all fairly flat if that makes a difference. Also, the ride seemed smooth and the Explorer didn't seem to struggle to pull it. Any advice would be appreciated! Michelle

 

Do not tow in overdrive regardless of how easy it seems to pull it. Get a tranny cooler. The Explorer trannys are notorious for failing. Anything you can do to lighten the load will go a long way at making it last. Frequent service is also important. Hope you have a lower gear ratio. With all of the above, you shouldn't have any problems towing your load. If all else fails you have the option of regearing your differential(s) to the equivalent ratio the tow package came with. Look at the label inside your driver's door to find out what your ratio is. Look it up in your manual to see how much your Explorer is rated to pull. The ones with the lowest ratings will be the 4x4 with a manual transmision.

 

Was your temperature gauge ok when the engine light came on? How long did you let it sit before restarting after the light came on?? I'm not sure if there is any sort of transmission temperature tied to the engine light. If so, that could be the problem if the trans was too hot. Perhaps someone else can answer that. Also, it might be the throttle position sensor that made the light come on. If you have a code reader, I suggest reading the codes and that will tell you why the light came on.

 

I had the overdrive turned off. All of the gauges showed OK. I let it sit for about 19 minutes before restarting. I plan on getting the tranny serviced next week. Everything I've read indicates that I should be able to pull this. I plan on taking it to have the codes checked. it is just very discouraging to have this happen on the way home from the marina! Thanks for the advice and I'll let you know what I find with the codes. Michelle

 

Don't just "get the tranny serviced". MAKE SURE YOU GET AN APPROPRIATE TRANNY COOLER INSTALLED.
I had my transmission fail on my '95 after only 84,000 miles. After that I did some research and found out that the Ford a4ld transmission is notoreous for overheating. and the existing cooler (in the radiator) is not sufficient for towing.
The recommended installation for most coolers is to have them installed in series with the existing cooler such that the hot fluid first goes through the existing cooler , then goes through the aftermarket cooler and then back into the transmission where it hits the planetary gears first.

Also make that ,when you have the tranny serviced, you take it to a shop that does a complete fluid replacement service and changes the filter (all 16 quarts), not one that just changes the filter (only 3 quarts changed in this procedure). The PEP BOYS do this for about $130.00 in N.Y.

If I was towing I would get the fluid changed every 15,000 miles, otherwise I get it changed every 24,000 miles.


As far as the check engine light. If it is coming on then an error code has to be stored (it is kept for 40 starts of the engine). A good auto parts store such as the pep boys will have a EEC-IV code reader that you can use to get the error code. If you cant get that then I can tell you how to read the code with a small wire jumper.

If you had a problem with your transmission then you would see the o/d light flashing (not the check engine light)

I bet you need a new DPFE sensor for your EGR valve but that's just a guess. Drive you car at about 55-60mph on a steady road. (not towing anything.) your rpm should be at 2000 if you feel a slight hesitation in the engine then you probable need a new dpfe sensor. They are only $50.00 and bolt right onto the manifold very easily.

good luck

 

There were a couple occaisions that we pulled a trailer with my 92 X (same engine and transmission as your 95). At one point going up a long hill on a hot day, the engine did start to run hot. But it didn't overheat and otherwise no problems at all. Mine did have the trailer towing package. So when properly equipped, these vehicles don't have any problems towing. Just be sure, like the others said, to get the tranny cooler and have the fluids changed regularly.

Good luck