Guys, my Ford Explorer’s check engine light keeps coming on. I’ve tried a few things, but it’s driving me nuts. Any help would be appreciated!
Response
Hey there! I’ve had the same issue with my Ford Explorer’s check engine light coming on. I did some digging and found several solutions that worked for me and others. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Solutions
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insert Key and Turn On and Off Quickly | 22 | Inserted the key and turned on and off quickly | $0 | 1-2 |
| Turn the Vehicle On and Off Three Times | 12 | Turned the vehicle on and off three times | $0 | 1-2 |
| Disconnect and Reconnect the Negative Battery | 5 | Disconnected and reconnected the negative battery | $0 | 5-10 |
| Check Your Gas Cap | 3 | Checked and tightened the gas cap | $0 | 1-2 |
Symptoms
- Check engine light comes on randomly
- Check engine light stays on even after turning off and restarting the vehicle
- Check engine light flashes intermittently
Possible Causes
- Faulty O2 sensor
- Loose gas cap
- Ignition coil issues
- Catalytic converter failure
1. Insert Key and Turn On and Off Quickly
What I Did: Inserted the key into the ignition and turned the car on and off quickly a couple of times.
Outcome: The check engine light was reset.
Personal Experience: I inserted the key and turned it on and off quickly. It worked like a charm.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 1-2 minutes
Steps:
- Insert the key into the ignition.
- Turn the key to the “On” position but don’t start the engine.
- Turn the key back to the “Off” position.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 quickly, at least three times.
Expert Tip: This method is a bit of a quick fix and may not be reliable for long-term solutions. Always better to diagnose the problem first. Make sure you don’t rush too much; give it a second between each turn.
2. Turn the Vehicle On and Off Three Times
What I Did: Turned the vehicle on and off three times.
Outcome: The check engine 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:
- Turn the vehicle on, but don’t rev the engine.
- Turn the vehicle off.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times, making sure to pause for a second between each cycle.
Expert Tip: While this method might work, it’s not a definitive solution. If the check engine light comes back on, it’s a sign that there’s an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Make sure you’re in a safe location where you can turn your vehicle on and off multiple times without causing a disturbance.
3. Disconnect and Reconnect the Negative Battery
What I Did: Disconnected the negative terminal of the battery for 30 seconds to one minute.
Outcome: The check engine light was reset.
Personal Experience: I disconnected the negative terminal, waited for about a minute, and reconnected it. The light went off.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Turn off the vehicle and remove the key from the ignition.
- Open the hood and locate the battery. It’s usually near the front of the vehicle, on either the left or right side.
- Use a wrench to disconnect the negative terminal. This is usually marked with a “-” symbol.
- Wait for 30 seconds to one minute. This allows the car’s computer to reset.
- Reconnect the negative terminal and tighten it securely with the wrench.
Expert Tip: Always use proper safety gear like gloves and safety glasses when working with car batteries. Also, make sure the ignition is turned off before you start. If you have radio presets or other settings you don’t want to lose, you might want to have a memory saver plugged into your vehicle’s OBD-II port.
4. Check Your Gas Cap
What I Did: Checked the gas cap and tightened it.
Outcome: The check engine light was reset.
Personal Experience: I checked the gas cap, and it was a bit loose. After tightening it, the light went off.
Estimated Cost: $0
Time Needed: 1-2 minutes
Steps:
- Open the fuel door by pressing the fuel door release lever inside your car.
- Remove the gas cap by turning it counterclockwise.
- Inspect the gas cap for any cracks or signs of wear.
- Re-tighten the gas cap by turning it clockwise until you hear it click.
Expert Tip: Always make sure your gas cap is securely fastened after refueling. A loose gas cap can cause fuel to evaporate, leading to a decrease in fuel efficiency and triggering the check engine light. If the gas cap is damaged, consider replacing it as it’s a cheap fix that can solve the problem.
Car Models Where This Worked
- 2007 Ford Explorer
- 2014 Ford Explorer
- 2006 Ford Explorer
- 2010 Ford Explorer
Sometimes, the check engine light may come on due to altitude changes or extreme temperature fluctuations. If you’ve recently traveled to a significantly different elevation or experienced drastic weather changes, consider this as a possible cause.
Feel free to share your experiences and solutions as well. Let’s keep our Ford Explorers running smoothly!