I have a '92 explorer 4wd, and its got some problems. first off, when its cold, it likes to hesitate when i hit the gas, and sometimes even die, which sucks. also, when i start driving, i have a whine that eventually goes away. also, when i lock in the 4wd, no lights come on, do i have to have it in OD or can i leave it in D? should 4wd work in D? the lights on 4x4 and Low never come on. I had plans to really work on this truck, but if i have to replace all this im just gonna git rid of it, too much hassle for me with going to school full time along with working full time. please help. thanks in advance.

-ex

 

First of all welcome to FTE Explo92x,
I usually start off by asking if the truck has been tuned up lately.
plugs
wires
oil
fluids
filters
belts
hoses
etc.

Older trucks may also need one or all 02 sensors changed (over 100,000 miles)and codes pulled from the computer. Even if check engine light (CEL) is not on.

Hesitating can be caused by many conditions -
Low fuel pressure
Bad EGR
Get codes

The whine maybe serpentine belt and/or power steering pump.
or a/c compressor

What type of 4x4 activation system - manual or touch button? This info is needed.

 

plugs- replaced
wires- replaced
oil- changed about 6/700 miles ago
fluids- need to check
filters- air filter changed with oil
belts- need to check
hoses- need to check

i also havent checked or changed 02 sensors. and ive heard that about the whine but im not sure, i know for a fact the AC and heater dont work, both blow but dont work. the 4x4 is manual, with the 4x4 and low gear buttons on the inside but i have to lock the hubs manually. (doesnt matter cuz 4wd doesnt work) I have a 3 inch body lift on it from Performance Accessories.

The truck has 192000 miles +/- a few.

Like i said i was really wanting to fix this thing up but the more and more i look at '95-'00 Dodge Rams i want one, and if this gives me too much trouble im gonna go with the ram. Its not that i dont like my explorer or that i dont wanna do the work, im just a senior in high school and starting college in about 20 weeks so i wont have that much time lol.

as far as hesitation goes, its only when its cold, when it warms up everything is fine, but it takes FOREVER to warm up. sometimes i have to ride brake and gas together at stop lights to keep it from dying, until it warms up, last night before i posted the original thread, i was revving it up and it would cut out and die, and i had to restart it. twice. i was thinking that maybe the fuel lines were frozen but then backed up and decided not because its cold, but not that cold to freeze fuel, lol. i dont know about the egr valve, havent checked it, nor have i checked the computer for codes.

This is an immidiate problem for me so if you or anyone else has any info for me, please, don't hesitate to let me know, i need to get a price range in mind and find out wether its worth me throwing the money into this or to get rid of it and get the ram. any help would be greatly appriciated. again, thanks in advance, ill be working until about 3 (or maybe 5) CST this evening, (working full time as a senior in highschool sucks) so i will check when i get home. thank you all again in advance for your ideas/support/solutions/ and help. have a great day everyone, ill be looking forward to the tips i recieve from you.

-Ex2

 

Is the front drivetrain engaging at all when in 4H? Will it shift into 4L (can you feel the gear reduction)? This sounds like a classic case of a stuck shift motor, which can usually be freed up for little to no expense. Fairly common and there are several discussions and helpful sites on the net for this. You might even try crawling under with a small hammer and tapping the shift motor while someone else pushes the button. Sometimes this will free up the motor enough to get it to shift.

Your '92 shouldn't have an EGR system to it, and only one O2 sensor. PUlling codes is an excellent suggestion. Put "ford EEC-IV self-test" into your favorite search engine and you will find instructions for this. I would also suggest checking the fuel pressure and make sure the throttle body is clean.

 

Remember, the grass alway seems greener from the other side of the fence, so

you may not be better off with a ram, and
if you get a ram, you wont have us....

Keep you head up... I have been there, full time job, young family, new morgage.... while completing my advanced education. Wrenched other peoples cars on weekends to make extra $$$.

 

wont engage at all. i lock the hubs manually outside. get nothing, no lights on the 4wd switch, nothing. doesnt feel different at all.

 

this is true, but im still in highschool, and im working full time, i dont really have the time to work on anything except sundays. i go to school from 8:45am-2:50pm mon -fri, work 3:00pm-11:00pm mon-fri. work 9am-5pm on saturdays (Except today) so im exhausted when i have the free time. i am taking all the decals off my car today. i ordered the FTE decal last night so that will be the one and only decal on my explo when it gets here.

 

also, there is a lifter knocking on the top end i believe and i was wondering.. what would it take to drop a 351 into my truck? its a 92 explo as most of you know by now

 

You definitely don't have the time for that if you don't have time for the simpler things.

Listen to aqua, he won't steer you wrong.

Couple other things to check. The MAF(mass air flow sensor) and the IAC(idle air control valve). You can try cleaning both of these before spending the money on new parts.

Here's a couple links to get you on your way.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_IAC_Fix.html

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singlet...ages/ping.html

 

[QUOTE=Backin72]You definitely don't have the time for that if you don't have time for the simpler things.

Listen to aqua, he won't steer you wrong.

Couple other things to check. The MAF(mass air flow sensor) and the IAC(idle air control valve). You can try cleaning both of these before spending the money on new parts.

Here's a couple links to get you on your way.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_IAC_Fix.html

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/ping.html[/QUOTE]

I personally don't, no. but the guy who runs a shop that will do it for me does, and i could rent a car for a while, until its finished. ive been around cars most of my life, i know how to do most things, i just have gotten more confused on this car than any others ive worked on

 

Get the small things fixed first. Lots of good advice from excellent posters here to get you going in the right direction.

Here's an great link with lots of fixes:

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/exp.html

Here's how to fix the shift motor.

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singlet...ges/tcase.html

 

guys i want to thank you all. a lot. i appriciate it all. really. i will be staying with the explorer but im going to need to get a lot of help from you all. (i.e. ideas, troubleshooting, etc.) so i would also appriciate it if you all could add me to friends or buddy list or whatever so i can find you guys to ask for help. thanks all.

-Ex2