My Ford Explorer’s Check Engine Light won’t Turn Off!

I’m dealing with a persistent issue here. My Ford Explorer’s check engine light keeps coming on, even though I’ve checked everything and it seems fine. Has anyone else faced this issue? What did you do to fix it?

Response

Don’t worry as I’ve been through the same ordeal with my Explorer. After some digging and trying out different things, I found a couple of solutions that worked for me and others. Let’s get into the details.

Solutions that worked

SolutionUsers Who Found SuccessPersonal ExperienceEstimated Cost (USD)Time Needed (Minutes)
Connect an OBD-II scan tool22Cleared the codes with an OBD-II scan tool$20-$1005-10
Disconnect the battery for 10-15 mins20Disconnected the battery, waited, and reconnected$010-15
Turn the car on and off19Turned the car on and off a few times$01-2
Turn the vehicle on and off three times12Turned the vehicle on and off three times$01-2
Disconnect positive terminal for 5 mins5Disconnected the positive terminal, waited, and reconnected$05

Symptoms

  • Check engine light stays on
  • Light comes back on after being reset
  • Light flashes intermittently

Possible Causes

  • Loose gas cap
  • Emission control system malfunction
  • Oxygen sensor failure
  • Ignition system defects

Solutions that Worked

1. Use an OBD-II Scan Tool

What I Did: Plugged in an OBD-II scan tool and followed the on-screen prompts.
Outcome: The light was successfully reset.
Personal Experience: I bought a scan tool and used it to clear the codes. The light hasn’t come back on since.
Estimated Cost: $20-$100
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes

Steps:

  1. Purchase or borrow an OBD-II scan tool.
  2. Locate the OBD port under your car’s dashboard, usually near the steering wheel.
  3. Plug the OBD-II scanner into the port.
  4. Turn your car’s ignition to the “On” position but don’t start the engine.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions on the scanner to read and reset the check engine light.

Expert Tip:

An OBD-II scanner is a useful tool to have. It can diagnose various issues, not just the check engine light. Make sure to read the manual that comes with the scanner for specific instructions.

2. Disconnect the Battery for 10-15 Minutes

What I Did: Disconnected the battery for about 15 minutes.
Outcome: The light was reset, but I had to re-enter my radio presets.
Personal Experience: The light went off, but I had to re-enter my radio presets.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 10-15 minutes

Steps:

  1. Turn off the ignition and remove the key.
  2. Open the hood and locate the car battery.
  3. Identify the negative terminal (usually marked with a “-” symbol).
  4. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal.
  5. Disconnect the negative terminal and wait for 10-15 minutes.
  6. Reconnect the terminal and tighten the nut.

Expert Tip:

Be prepared to re-enter any saved settings like radio presets if you choose this method. Also, this method is not recommended if you haven’t diagnosed the underlying issue causing the light to come on.

3. Turn the Car On and Off

What I Did: Turned the car on and off a few times.
Outcome: The light was reset.
Personal Experience: I turned the car on and off a few times and the light went off.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 1-2 minutes

Steps:

  1. Insert the key into the ignition.
  2. Turn the car on for about a second.
  3. Turn it off for about a second.
  4. Repeat this two more times.

Expert Tip:

If you’re using the “turn on and off” method, make sure to wait a few seconds between each cycle. This ensures that the vehicle’s computer registers the action.

4. Turn the Vehicle On and Off Three Times

What I Did: Turned the vehicle on and off three times.
Outcome: The light was reset.
Personal Experience: I turned the vehicle on and off three times and the light went off.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 1-2 minutes

Steps:

  1. Insert the key into the ignition.
  2. Turn the vehicle on.
  3. Turn it off.
  4. Repeat this two more times.

Expert Tip:

This method should only be used after addressing the underlying issue that triggered the light.

5. Disconnect the Positive Terminal for 5 Minutes

What I Did: Disconnected the positive terminal for about 5 minutes.
Outcome: The light was reset.
Personal Experience: I disconnected the positive terminal, waited for 5 minutes, and then reconnected it. The light went off.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 5 minutes

Steps:

  1. Locate the positive battery terminal.
  2. Use a wrench to loosen the nut.
  3. Disconnect the terminal.
  4. Wait for 5 minutes.
  5. Reconnect the terminal and tighten the nut.

Expert Tip:

This method is less commonly used but can be effective. Make sure to reset any settings that may have been lost.

Car Models Where This Worked

  • Ford Explorer 2020

Additional Information

  • If the check engine light comes back on after you’ve tried these solutions, it’s crucial to consult a professional mechanic for a thorough diagnosis.
  • Some modern cars have more advanced systems that may require specialized equipment for resetting the check engine light. Make sure to consult your car’s manual for any model-specific instructions.

I hope this helps anyone facing the same issue. If you have any more solutions or experiences to share, feel free to add them!

Leave a Comment