Once again, would like to thank the many of you who have taken the time to respond to not just mine, but posts in general. The help here was important to getting my Explorer back in shape. Previous owners let it go, and I put it back into at least good running shape.

Still has a problem regarding the Check Engine light. It has had the MAF sensor, TPS, and IAC replaced. Improved things, but still not perfect. It appears that the ECM wasn't always communicating with some of the sensors, in particular, the IAC. Changed ECM, and runs great now. I'm very happy.

However, the other day, on the way to work, I decided to use my Cruise Control, after the Explorer had been running for about 30 minutes. A few minutes after that, the Check Engine light flashed on and off, about half a dozen times.

Repeated the above, the next day, with the same results.

Today, I didn't use the Cruise Control, and no Check Engine light.

One added thing......Cruise Control seems irratic.....tends to jump above and below, has a hard time maintaining constant speed.

I've run codes before, seems to come back with lean bank codes. May or may not be related.

So, anyone have any idea what I might be experiencing, or what to look for? It may just be conincidence, but thought it was worth running by the group.

Thanks again for your help.

Ed

 

got an 04 mercury mountaineer premier.
When I have the cruise control on sometimes the motor dies, all the lights come on in the instrument cluster. You have to either slip it into neutral or pull over to the side (without power assist steering), put it in park and restart it. Does not happen every day and its not a fuel quality issue.

 

Lean codes typically indicate the upper intake manifolds are leaking. Since cruise is partially regulated by vacuum, leaks can cause the cruise to behave erratically. Due to the extra workload of the cruise, the computer might be able to detect the leaks more easily, which is why you don't have a problem otherwise. I would so some simple tests to determine whether or not you have an intake leak or a vacuum leak causing your problems.

 

I don't sense we have vacuum leaks but I could throw in a wide band unit and watch the action. Yesterday I think I was able to catch more of the happenings that occur with this problem: On a flat road I set the cruise when I was going 40 mph and instantly the engine died. This happened two times in a row. On the second occurrence I noted that just before the engine died the rpms dropped to around 500 rpms, then the engine died and warning lights came on. So at this point I can say that this problem probably happens when using cruise control under 50 and seems worse the slower you are going.

 

I know that Ford issued some computer updates that do address a similar isssue on some models. Have you had your computer updated?

 

The nearest dealer is 1/2 away and they are the "jerks" of the dealership network.
I would rather flash it myself before I drove over there.
I'll call a friend I know and I'll dig deeper in their TSB's,
however I have not seen any recalls on this issue, other than for previous years
and the TSB summaries I did read did not cover this issue.