1997 Explorer (4 liter pushrod engine) No Start, O2 Sensor codes, Intermittent engine Power loss

I recently helped a friend of mine with the following problem:

His check engine light would come on and the codes read would be related to the O2 sensors.

He complained about the car having intermittent power loss but would not describe it as a miss.

Last week the car finally died. The mechanic changed the fuel pump ($420 including parts and labor) to no avail and then suggested to replace the computer. That is when my friend called me.

$16.95 for a month subscription to the online catalog led me to test the crankshaft position sensor. When I looked at the sensor I found it to be too far away from the tone ring.

Cleaning the sensor, and adjusting it's position solved all 3 problems.

The adjustment consists of getting the plastic tabs that protrude from the sensor, to be almost in contact with the tone ring. In a new sensor, as per ford, the tabs are left in contact with the tone ring and the expected wear will give the needed clearance.

The problem is caused because the geniuses at ford, designed a rather long plastic bracket for this sensor. With repeated heating and cooling of the bracket, the plastic's differential shrinkage moves de sensor away from the tone ring.

I hope this info helps and I apologize if this issue had been discussed previously; i did not take the time to search the newsgroup.

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