I'm really bad about procrastinating...my wife would agree to that. I've got the following problems with my Explorer and was wondering if anyone had any pointers or insight as to best courses of action (and how much each would cost).

Issue # 1
While driving and I come to a stop (stop light, stop sign, etc), on occasion it feels like my transmission doesn't engage. When it's time to move again, I'll press the accelerator and hear the engine rev but nothing happens for a few seconds, as in I don't go anywhere. I'll let up on the accelerator and then the Explorer will move once I press the accelerator again. This happens at different times...with the engine warmed up from driving or while it's a little cold. This problem has been intermittent for at least six months.

Any ideas what the problem might be?

Issue # 2
I keep getting an intermittent "door ajar" warning on my instrument panel. I'll check to make sure all doors are securely shut but the "door ajar" warning stays lit and the dome light stays on (and locks won't lock) but finally turns off after a few seconds. Sometimes the door ajar light comes on, sometimes it doesn't, but it comes on frequently. I've been dealing with this for almost a year.

Might this just be a faulty sensor that needs to be replaced? I'm assuming each door has a sensor and that whatever module receives signals from the door sensors is what's acting up. Any ideas?

Issue # 3
Recently, the "Service Engine Soon" light lit up on my dashboard. I went by an AutoZone and had one of the guys check it out via their OBD diagnostic tool. They came up with "EGR flow excessive" and a Code P0402 which says "The PCM has determined that there is excessive flow in the exhaust gas recirculation system." One of the store guys said this is most likely because of a vacuum valve being stuck open. Is this a common problem for Explorers, to have a faulty EGR? How long can I drive with this problem and what kind of damage would this problem cause? This problem popped up last week.

Any ideas what the cost would be to fix this problem?


Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me. It just figures that I'm a few payments away from owning my Explorer and now it's acting up.

 

What is the service record for this Tranny, Mls, have you checked for codes?
could be:

• requires fluid flush
• leaky gasket/plate
• sticky solonoid

Each door mechanizm has a switch that triggers this light, remove door panels and spray each with a good penetrating lubricant.

Remove valve and clean carbon, use a vacuum pump and apply vacuum to valve to check for movemant and for flow/no flow through exhaust portion.
Replace the DPFE sensor.

 

Thanks for the response to my post. I've managed to get rid of the Door Ajar indicator problem using the steps shared. I tried taking out the EGR valve, cleaning it and putting it back in but still got the Service Engine Soon light, so had the EGR Valve replaced. This fixed the problem for a day and I'm back to having the Service Engine Soon light illuminated. Is there a sensor that might cause a faulty reading? Any idea how much it costs to replace this, parts cost-wise? Thanks!

 

Did you disconnect the battery so the pcm could reset itself?

 

Since my last post, I've disconnected the battery and could get the Service Engine Soon light to stay off for a day or so before it comes back on. I've disconnected the battery cable a few times now with varied results...sometimes the light doesn't come on until the next day, sometimes it comes on within a few hours.

My next step will be to replace the DPFE Sensor. Now I'm wondering if anyone has a tip for me about removing it. I'm having a difficult time pulling the sensor out of the two rubber hoses it sits on. Does anyone have a trick to share that would make removing the DPFE sensor out of these rubber hoses? Basically, the two tubes of the sensor feel seized up inside the rubber hoses and I don't want to tear/rip the hoses or break the old sensor as I remove it.

 

If you have one of the old pot metal DPFEs it is probably corroded inside the tubing and frozen on.
It may be easier to remove the rubber tubing from the intake tube with the DPFE, then remove the tubes with a twisting motion from the sensor.

FWIW, I drilled the rivets out of one of those pot metal sensors and the sensor was so corroded (white oxidation crystals)inside it was blocking the flow.