Author	[Modern View]
gmccool 08-02-2012 11:10:02 207.189.234.23 Report to Moderator	I have a 2002 Ford Explorer. Low miles & not driven often. The check engine lite just came on. It seems to run just fine but I changed the spark plugs & disconnected the battery but after a little run time the check engine lite came back on. How & where do I check the codes. I don't want to just start replacing parts in hopes that I guess right. Thanks in advance Gerald [Reply]   [No Email]
Gary from Muleshoe 08-03-2012 12:22:01 216.229.115.232 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   It is typical on Fords that it is an O2 sensor that causes this light to come one. I have driven Fords for 40+ years and each time this light comes on it has been an O2 sensor. I always had a mechanic change them so i do not know what it entails. [Reply]  [No Email]
LA in WI 08-03-2012 08:23:20 50.50.78.146 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   This is why it is so nice to be living in this part of Wisconsin; no emissions checks. My old Explorer engine light came on and I just stuck a piece of electrical tape over the glare for when driving at night. Then traded for Tahoe, same light came on. Same tape used. At my old age I just hope electrical tape supplies are plentiful! LA in WI [Reply]  [No Email]
Todd Hovick 08-03-2012 07:20:06 184.20.188.194 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   I have three 1996 and newer vehicles that have had the check engine light come on lately, all 3 have had the code for upstream O2 sensors. Here in NY you can not tape over the light or it wont pass an inspection. The truck is used rarely, but the 2 cars are driven daily. We had one sensor replaced for around $100.00 and it solved the problem, the others will need replacing before the inspection expires. [Reply]  [No Email]
Puddles 08-03-2012 04:07:01 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to rustyfarmall, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   Not only can the gas cap be loose, but dirty, or not venting properly, and needs to be replaced. [Reply]  [No Email]
CliffP 08-02-2012 17:30:45 68.95.48.213 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   I would start here. Explorer Forum [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob - MI 08-02-2012 17:12:49 75.129.96.154 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   Auto Zone will scan the car for free. They will not always clear the code due to potential liability issues. Code scanners are not that expensive if you want to do it yourself. Get the code and then research the repair. I find most things that trigger a code are common and there's lots of guys posting the problem and the fix. Some cars (Ford Taurus) trigger the light so often due to a bad EGR sensor that the dealers automatically replace it first. And as others have said it could simply be the gas cap. Best of luck. [Reply]  [No Email]
wisbaker 08-02-2012 15:49:58 207.118.135.5 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   If it's a solid check engine light it's telling you something is wrong, don't worry just get it checked-sometime. It's telling you at this time your vehicle is not emission compliant. If it's a FLASHING check engine light it's telling you something is wrong and there are no guarantees about getting where you are going because something is wrong enough it just might have to quit on you. Black tape over the light works good. The comment about the gas cap is on track, with the gas cap off your evaporative emission system is not working, gas fumes are leaking out and your OBD system feels the need to inform you about it. [Reply]  [No Email]
Billy Shafer 08-02-2012 13:33:50 173.184.72.142 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   Make sure your gas cap is on tight. I had the same problem turned out to be a loose gas cap. Don't know why but that solved my problem. [Reply]  [No Email]
Gambles 08-02-2012 11:53:50 24.246.215.127 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   I think everybody who drives a '96 or later vehicle should own a simple code reader. While they are not great, you can get a simple code reader for under $50. Or, have an auto parts store read it for free. I realize that some people live too far away from one of these places to make that practical. The connection is underneath the dash close to your steering column. Read and find out what the code means before you take it to a mechanic to get it fixed. Or, quite often the fix is simple enough that you can do it yourself. [Reply]  [No Email]
leej 08-02-2012 11:35:03 216.73.235.175 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   Had the same problem. Went to my local garage found the problem in seconds. NO charge. That is what I like about these small fixit garages. He does all my oil changes and minor fixit jobs. NO HIGH price work that needs not done. A very honest place in a small town. I'm lucky I guess. ggp [Reply]  [No Email]
gmccool 08-02-2012 11:30:27 207.189.234.23 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   Glennster Thanks for the reply. Taking it to a shop isn't a good option. I live in a remote mining town in Yukon Canada. It is a four hour drive to the next town & just under a six hour drive one way to a town that may or maynot have any equipment to check it. I suspect that it is a bad oxygen sensor because it is probably carboned up from not being driven much but I hate to guess & was hoping that a code would narrow it down. Gerald [Reply]  [No Email]
ASEguy 08-05-2012 17:19:26 68.186.162.134 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:30:27   You have OBD II codes stored which a code reader or scan tool could retrieve. Can you purchase one and have it shipped to you from on of the big box auto parts stores. Guessing on the code with OBD II is not a good idea. You have to know what the powertrain code is first. Gerard [Reply]  [No Email]
Dusty MI 08-06-2012 04:30:40 76.247.159.252 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to ASEguy, 08-05-2012 17:19:26   Do a search for ScanGauge. Costs more than just a code reader but gives many readouts while driving. Dusty [Reply]  [No Email]
glennster 08-02-2012 11:17:44 76.223.249.162 Report to Moderator	Re: 2002 check engine lite in reply to gmccool, 08-02-2012 11:10:02   find a shop that can scan it. some auto parts stores will scan the vehicle for free. once you get the code, go to the internet and look up your vehicle with the code. do a search like 2002 ford explorer code p-1035 ect. the code does not automatically mean that part is bad, it tells what is out of range also. [Reply]  [No Email]