The Explorer "Check Engine" light goes way beyond just emission parts.
The light is turned on whenever any problem is found. It is also turned
on when the PCM is attemping to change the fuel mixture upon changing
driving conditions. If the light goes on and then goes off then the
system has corrected itself. The reason for the light turn-on will
have been stored as a code. My Explorer has 237,000 miles on it. During
that time the light has come on and stayed on two times. On both of these
occasions diagnosis of the code revealed the problem and parts were changed.
Fixing the problem caused the light to turn off.
Mark
>> 1997 ford explorer.
What I can't understand is why the dealer wants to charge an arm and a leg
when you can get a data reader for under $100. I have a light staying on
with my 97 but to take it to a dealer is a killer. I guess I will go to Pep
Boys and buy the reader. At least I know if I ever use it again I would have
made out OK.
> The Explorer "Check Engine" light goes way beyond just emission parts.
> The light is turned on whenever any problem is found. It is also turned
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
>>> 1997 ford explorer.
Mike Iglesias - 21 Dec 2004 17:20 GMT
>What I can't understand is why the dealer wants to charge an arm and a leg
>when you can get a data reader for under $100. I have a light staying on
>with my 97 but to take it to a dealer is a killer. I guess I will go to Pep
>Boys and buy the reader. At least I know if I ever use it again I would have
>made out OK.
I think Kragen will read the codes for you, so you can save the $$$ you might
spend on the reader on the repair itself.

Signature
Mike Iglesias Email: iglesias@draco.acs.uci.edu
University of California, Irvine phone: 949-824-6926
Network & Academic Computing Services FAX: 949-824-2069
Big Bill - 21 Dec 2004 20:04 GMT
>What I can't understand is why the dealer wants to charge an arm and a leg
>when you can get a data reader for under $100. I have a light staying on
>with my 97 but to take it to a dealer is a killer. I guess I will go to Pep
>Boys and buy the reader. At least I know if I ever use it again I would have
>made out OK.
Maybe you've heard about the retired machinist who awas asked to help
his former shop fix a problem with a machine he was familiar with.
he went in, looked at the machine for a few minutes, and taqpped it
with a hammer. The machine was thus fixed.
When he sent in his bill, it read "Fix machine: $1500."
The office said the bill needed to be more precise in listing what
was done, and mentioned the bill seemed high for simply tapping the
machine with a hammer.
The next bill read:
"Apply hammer to machine: $5.00
Knowing where to apply hammer: $1495.00"

Signature
Bill Funk
Change "g" to "a"
Doug S. - 22 Dec 2004 02:18 GMT
You can extinguish/reset the error light by disconnecting the positive
battery cable from the cars battery. Of course , if the problem has
not been corrected, the light will come back on again sooner or later.
You don't need to buy a reader, just to reset your trouble light.
Shop around for a good/accurate reader if you plan to use it to find
your problem.
>What I can't understand is why the dealer wants to charge an arm and a leg
>when you can get a data reader for under $100. I have a light staying on
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>
>>>> 1997 ford explorer.
Jim Warman - 22 Dec 2004 03:22 GMT
Bear in mind that cheap code scanners have limited functuality..... usually
retrieving only generic OBD2 codes and don't offer actuator test modes nor
PID monitoring. Additionally, the wiener at the parts store wants to sell
parts... lot's of them. This scenario may work for some - None of my
customers want guesswork, repeat repairs nor unreliability.
A good Ford dealer will have 3 scan tools in their arsenal... the venerable
NGS (about $4G Canadian), the NGS+ ( a base NGS plus another $3G) and the
WDS... a very powerful (though slow and nearly antiquated) tool at about
$12G... none of these include the updates.....
Disconnecting the battery has little to do with repairing the problem......
otherwise we could fix that balky TV set by unplugging it for 15 minutes ( I
can see the rush to the wall outlet now).
A good chef makes more money than the kid at MacDonalds.... I wonder why???
> You can extinguish/reset the error light by disconnecting the positive
> battery cable from the cars battery. Of course , if the problem has
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>>>
>>>>> 1997 ford explorer.
CWLee - 23 Dec 2004 06:04 GMT
> A good chef makes more money than the kid at MacDonalds.... I wonder why???
When I'm trying to decide between a $2 Big Mac at
MacDonalds, and the $20 hamburger the service writer, opps,
waiter suggests at le femme d'poo-poo fancy restaurant, I
ask myself will the Big Mac do the job for me, or should I
spend 10 times as much to get something maybe twice as good?
:-)
Keep up the good work Jim. We all respect your knowledge
and helpfulness. At the same time some of us here in the
USA have to deal with commission-based service writers who
would rather let us molest their 8-year-old daughters than
allow us to talk directly to a mechanic.
Best regards, Chuck.
Jim Warman - 23 Dec 2004 07:19 GMT
Yeah.... I keep forgetting that the US is the closest thing to anarchy that
we will see for some time.
Just remember.... you have the right to bear arms.... I have the right to
bare arms ..... not to mention some of the homophobic stuff the Feds keep
making me feel.
>> A good chef makes more money than the kid at
> MacDonalds.... I wonder why???
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Best regards, Chuck.
Doug S. - 24 Dec 2004 03:36 GMT
The man asked, "How to extinguish the Trouble Light". I told him. I
did not say that extinguishing the light would fix the problem. Please
re-read my post.
The problem here is, that not too many of the readers here have 3-12
grand burning a hole in their pocket, just looking for something to
spend it on. True, ...... "You get what you pay for". But let's be a
little realistic here.
>Bear in mind that cheap code scanners have limited functuality..... usually
>retrieving only generic OBD2 codes and don't offer actuator test modes nor
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
>>>>
>>>>>> 1997 ford explorer.
Jim Warman - 25 Dec 2004 06:36 GMT
Doug, I don't see anywhere in my reply that I was picking on you...... I
hung my reply on what seemed to be a suitable post. Since we're on the
subject, however... getting realistic - do we need our cars to be reliable
( ask a pregnant woman)....... do we need our overall running costs to be as
low as possible - ask the guys that have thrown part after part at their
cars only to be left waitng for a tow truck.
You view extinguishing the CEL as a temporary thing.... I see it as a
fix..... turning the light off has little to do with fixing anything.
If your skin is that thing, it may be that usenet is not a place for you....
<All the bottom crap is gone and I'd like to see anyone accuse me of
top-posting here>
Jim Warman - 26 Dec 2004 01:45 GMT
after delivery,
or use high quality beef or pork roasts (it is cheaper and better to
cut up a whole roast than to buy stew meat).
1 stillbirth, de-boned and cubed
? cup vegetable oil
2 large onions
bell pepper
celery
garlic
? cup red wine
3 Irish potatoes
2 large carrots
This is a simple classic stew that makes natural gravy,
thus it does not have to be thickened.
Brown the meat quickly in very hot oil, remove and set aside.
Brown the onions, celery, pepper and garlic.
De-glaze with wine, return meat to the pan and season well.
Stew on low fire adding small amounts of water and
seasoning as necessary.
After at least half an hour, add the carrots and potatoes,
and simmer till root vegetables break with a fork.
Cook a fresh pot of long grained white rice.
Pre-mie Pot Pie
When working with prematurely delivered newborns (or chicken) use sherry;
red wine with beef (buy steak or roast, do not pre-boil).
Pie crust (see index)
Whole fresh pre-mie; eviscerated, head, hands and feet removed
Onions, bell pepper, celery
? cup wine
Root vegetables of choice (turnips, carrots, potatoes, etc) cubed
Make a crust