2004 FORD EXPLORER check engine

•If the fuel cap assembly is all one color (all black), it is a 1/8 turn cap.
•If the fuel cap assembly is two color (black and white), it is a 1/4 turn
cap.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 or 1/4 of a turn until
it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5.1/8 turn cap— Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
5.1/4 turn cap— Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until 3
clicks are heard.
If the “Check Fuel Cap” indicator comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
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•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
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Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the “Check Engine” light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
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present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon” light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon” light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
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•4.0L SOHC V6 engine
•4.6L V8 engine
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
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2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be checked by a qualified
technician.
3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
4Limited Slip differentials must add 118ml (4 oz) of Additive Friction
Modifier XL—7 or equivalent to the rear axle whenever the axle has
been serviced.
5Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C153–H and the API Certification mark.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates
and rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latch, seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
Grease or
Multi-Purpose
Grease SprayXG–4 or XL–5ESR-M1C159-A
or
ESB-M1C93–B
Hydraulic brake
fluid and Clutch
Fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1ESA-M6C25-A,
DOT 3
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Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number
(VIN) is a 17 digit combination of
letters and numbers. The VIN is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel. The VIN number
is also found on the Certification
label. (Please note that in the
graphic XXXX is representative of
your vehicle identification number.)
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if equipped).
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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A
Accessory delay ..........................52
AdvanceTrac ..............................143
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................116, 120
and child safety seats ............118
description ......................116, 120
disposal ....................................123
driver air bag ..................118, 121
indicator light .................120, 123
operation .........................118, 121
passenger air bag ...........118, 121
Air cleaner filter .......................271
Air conditioning ..........................32
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................163
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................236
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................141
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 21, 25
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................149
fluid, adding ............................255
fluid, checking ........................255
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specification ..................276
Auxiliary power point .................51
Axle
lubricant
specifications ..................274, 276
refill capacities ........................272
B
Battery .......................................234acid, treating
emergencies ............................234
jumping a disabled
battery .....................................203
maintenance-free ....................234
replacement,
specifications ..........................271
servicing ..................................234
BeltMinder .................................112
Brakes ........................................140
anti-lock ...................................141
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............141
fluid, checking and adding ....255
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
lubricant
specifications ..................274, 276
parking ....................................142
shift interlock ..........................147
C
Calculating load ........................174
Capacities for refilling fluids ....272
Cargo cover .................................78
Cell phone use ............................48
Certification Label ....................278
Changing a tire .........................194
Child safety restraints ..............124
child safety belts ....................124
Child safety seats ......................127
attaching with tether
straps .......................................131
in front seat ............................129
in rear seat ..............................129
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............220
instrument panel ....................222
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Index
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