97 Ford Explorer XLT Self Diagnostic

[Brian DeKam]

Is there any way to get a 97 Ford Explorer XLT to flash the check
engine light to give a self diagnostic read out of a check engine
light problem? My 92 Dodge Caravan would do this but I have not found
how/if the Explorer has this ability.

[Jim Warman]

You'll need to obtain a code reader for any OBD2 vehicle. The reader should
display continuous memory codes (problems the PCM has seen but may not be
present at this time) first and then you perform the on demand test
(problems that exist at the time of the test). Always repair on demand codes
first, then clear continuous codes and road test to see if the continuous
codes return.

--
Jim Warman
mech...@telusplanet.net

"Brian DeKam" <bde...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:54abd427.02122...@posting.google.com...

[IK]

Since the 96 model year there is no 'flashing' of codes on any vehicle sold
in the US. The only way to get them is by polling the ECM with an
appropriate computerized device, from a rather simple $150 'code-reader', to
fancy scanners worth many thousands. There is a diagnostic (OBDII)
connector under the steering wheel where they plug in. Blame the federal
government if you don't like this idea.
Rumor has it that many Autozone stores provide this as a free service,
hoping to sell you parts, based on their interpretation of what the codes
mean. Unfortuately, vehicles don't repair themselves, and there is still a
long way from reading the codes to correctly troubleshooting a problem.
Unless you have the manuals, the knowledge, and the appropriate tools, the
codes may not do much more for you than satisfy your curiosity.
One exception may be 'gross evaporative system leak', which frequently means
that your gas cap is not tight. If you have a steady 'check engine' light,
it's a good idea to look for this simple problem first.

IK

"Brian DeKam" <bde...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:54abd427.02122...@posting.google.com...

[carlojr]

You can get an OBDII reader for about $39.95 (give or take) at most parts
stores

--
Carlo F. Serusa, Jr. RPh. car...@attbi.com
O|||||||O O|||||||O
1998 Sahara TJ - 1989 YJ - 1979 IH Scout

.
"IK" <isk...@attbinospam.com> wrote in message
news:Ge8N9.254034$pN3.20759@sccrnsc03...

[J. Michael Milner]

All the OBD readers I've seen under $100 are "ODB I" and are only good
for 1995 and older vehicles. The newer "OBD II" readers apply to cars
and light trucks sold in the U.S. after January 1, 1996. If you find
an "OBDII reader" in the under $50 range, carefully read the package to
be sure it will work on newer vehicles like your 1997 Explorer. If
it does, I'd like to know where to purchase one!

Mike

[mitch Trockman]

I had autozone read the code on my 97. They said I needed to replace
both oxygen sensors. I took it to the dealer because it was under the
extended warrantee. The dealer replaced the intake gasket and
cam tensioner after reading codes P0171 P0174. My guess is that the
intake gasket was damaged after the first time they replaced the cam
tensioner and the check engine light finally lit up. What this means is
that the reading of the code alone is not enough.

[Jerry Riechert]

I had almost the same thing on my 99 XLT SOHC. Autozone said both oxygen
were bad. The dealer replaced the intake gasket under extended warranty,

--
Jerry

[Jim Warman]

Quite correct, Mitch. The computer generated codes are a symptom - nothing
more, nothing less. Someone can look quite silly replacing 2 or 4 O2 sensors
when all it needed was a fuel filter or such.

BTW, if you can turn off your suspicious mind for a while, the intake seals
on the 4.0 are well known for concerns. Needless and inflammatory comments
serve no purpose.

--
Jim Warman
mech...@telusplanet.net

"mitch Trockman" <mitch-t...@goldengate.net> wrote in message
news:3E064C1C...@goldengate.net...

[carlojr]

You may be right.........I have a Snap-on MT2500G - so I wasn't looking very
carefully. I did think that I saw one @ Kragan, or somewhere, for $39.95
(give or take) that only retrieved stored codes (obviously, no data stream,
etc). I'll mark this post as unread & go look a little closer - then give a
more valid answer

--
Carlo F. Serusa, Jr. RPh. car...@attbi.com
O|||||||O O|||||||O
1998 Sahara TJ - 1989 YJ - 1979 IH Scout

.
"J. Michael Milner" <jmmi...@wideopenwest.com> wrote in message
news:3E05FB09...@wideopenwest.com...

[mitch Trockman]

Jim,
I don't consider my guess as "needless and inflammatory". The service
writer told me that I was probably correct. I have had great luck with
the Explorer and fair treatment by the dealer. This repair was covered
by the extended warrantee.

[Jim Warman]

Knowing "service writers" quite intimately, I stand by my statement.......
The 4.0 is nearly famous for failed intake gaskets. Service writers are NOT
techs, they are diplomats and have a very real need to tell you what you
want to hear. And it doesn't matter what badge is on the hood.... the
product we sell is always superior. For me... I have yet to experience
anything with a Ford product that has interfered with my life - well, other
than having to go to work in the morning....

Mechanics are much the same as real human beings... they don't go to work in
the morning telling themsleves "today I'm gonna screw up four cars...". By
the same token, I need to ask how many on this list work on equipment as
changeable, as complicated and as intermittent failure prone as the modern
automobile.

I can't say what you do for a living, Mitch, but I daresay that there is the
odd chance that there is more than one person singularily unimpressed with
your performance?

--
Jim Warman
mech...@telusplanet.net

"mitch Trockman" <mitch-t...@goldengate.net> wrote in message

news:3E07CA4B...@goldengate.net...

[mar...@webtv.net]

At the risk of trying to be a diplomat, which is clearly not my role in
life, I have to throw my .03 in (inflation). Mitch, Jim is absolutely
right in his comments about "service writers". These men (and women)
may not know HOW to do anything mechanical, from diagnostics to actual
repair/replace. They just get to put up with disgruntled customers,
some of whom are there for routine maintenance and resent it cause it
takes time from their busy day, people who have real mechanical
problems, and they aint happy, to people who are oN their second OR
third (or more trips) to fix a problem that wasnt fixed the first time.
Service writers strong suit is bafflegab and bullshit. Jim, one of my
main complaints about going to dealerships in the first place is I guess
I'm a throwback to an age thats long gone. I do alot of my own stuff,
so I kinda like to stand around in back when my favorite brain surgeon
works on my vehicle. He is the service writer, mechanic/techie, and
billing dept all in one. HE actually likes me. Trust me, I can tell.
This is clearly impossible in any larger operation. But Jim, I think
you're overreacting. Mitch's comments werent really inflammatory, just
misdirected. Now play nice kids, its Christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!

[J. Michael Milner]

Anybody out there remember a day when most folks either fixed things
themselves or were at least allowed to speak directly to the person
who actually did? Has everybody's time become so valuable that businesses
all decided to hire more folks to put between the customers and, in this
case, the real mechanics? Or did the lawyers insist on the third party
so there was more room to fudge the truth? Clearly Jim's statement about
the 4.0 SOHC's gasket leaks wouldn't bring a smile to any Ford lawyer's
face, despite the strong evidence that it is a fact.

I don't think anything will change in the "real world" as far as "service
writers", "customer service representatives", etc., not to mention the
ultimate solution we all love to hate - voice mail. Groups like this
in cyberspace give those of us who choose to a chance to ask about what we
want to know and contribute what we've learned. You still need the BS
filters to separate the wheat from the chaff but at least the lawyers
haven't moved in yet. Maybe we should all watch for Jim's disappearance
or a new signature line with a disclaimer as the sign times are changing
in cyberspace too.

[J. Michael Milner]

I know it's bad form to be the first to respond to your own post but
I just noticed that Jim Warman is Canadian, or at least works in Canada,
so maybe the lawyers won't be as big a problem as they are here in the
U.S.

[mar...@webtv.net]

Its Christmas so you're forgiven. You both have made excellent,
literate points. I dont think theres an argument here worth having. I
dont know who is harder to please. The "driven" mechanc who likes things
"done right", or the intelligent backyard mechanic who likes
things...well..his way...Lets call that even and settle back and enjoy
the day. OR ELSE!!!!!!!!

[mitch Trockman]

You know that there is no need for personal attacks. As to performance
Not only was I a high performer but have been asked to return from
retirement to work several times. You might consider getting a life.....

[Sadfly]

FWIW - My check engine light came on recently so I took my '00 SOHC
(43k mi) to Autozone for the free OBDII reading. They would not read
the codes for me. They told me that Autozones here in So. California
will no longer read the codes. I called several other local stores
who all confirmed this. When I pressed as to why, the reason I was
given is that too many people might have been given bad information/
interpretations as to what the codes meant, so the stores in Californa
were required to stop providing the OBDII reading service. (And an
OBDII Scanner is not included in their "Loan-A-Tool Program" either.)

The local Ford dealers want around $100+ just to read the codes and
"diagnose"... Made the $130 code reader decison pretty easy. With
codes P0171 and P0174 and rough cold idle, I'm now convinced my CEL
has the same cause as Mitch - the intake gasket was damaged the last
time the dealer replaced they cam tensioner (they've done it twice so
far). Back for #3...

-Sad

[mitch Trockman]

It would be helpful to know if it turns out to be the gasket. My
service was covered under the extended warrantee offered by Ford when
the problem became known. I did appreciate the fact that Ford took
responsibility.
Mitch

[Sadfly]

Turns out it was not only the intake gaskets, but also the entire
intake manifold assembly and the idle air control assembly. All 3
were replaced. The gaskets & manifold are covered under 00M12. The
entire repair was covered under the California Emissions 3yr/50k
warrantee. Either way, Ford did cover the cost - including the $100
diagnosis.

-Sad

On Tue, 31 Dec 2002 13:29:44 -0600, mitch Trockman