I've been able to read out the trouble codes on my 94 Explorer using a jumper wire in a connector under the hood & counting flashes of the Check Engine light. My son has a problem on his 2000 Explorer; is there a similar procedure for that year, or would I need to buy some kind of scan tool?
Thanks!
A scan tool is necessary for anything above a 96, AFAIK. I believe Dodge is the only maker that still allowed jumpering to read codes after then, and even then only certain models and codes.
Sam
Take the car to Autozone...they'll read out the trouble codes for you. But don't buy anything based on a trouble code alone. First isolate the problem.
Tom
Thanks, I didn't know they would do that.
My son says it's been acting funny for a couple of weeks, sort of hesitates or "stutters" (in his words), when it first starts, then sometimes when he comes to a stop it idles low like it's about to stall. He said he noticed it was worse this morning, and it was raining out, so I think we should check ignition wires, plug boots etc. After that, we'll head to Autozone!
Steve.
Scan tool or code reader......
-- Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net
Clean the IAC (Idle Air Control Valve) - the silver valve on the upper intake. Fords love to gunk them up after a couple years and those are the symptoms. In my case, a can of carb cleaner and some 10w40 did the trick (clean then lube).
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