99 explorer inactive for 2 yrs

[bhutcher]

My military son's 99 ford explorer sport was only started occasionally in a 2 year period. It now runs very rough with the check engine light lit. The check engine light occasionaly flashes at 40 miles per hour or more.Should a tune up be done or just a check on the fuel system? What should be the first thing done with a vehicle that was kept out doors (in Il) and not used for this lenght of time?

[bumpinkicker04]

Originally Posted by bhutcher

My military son's 99 ford explorer sport was only started occasionally in a 2 year period. It now runs very rough with the check engine light lit. The check engine light occasionaly flashes at 40 miles per hour or more.Should a tune up be done or just a check on the fuel system? What should be the first thing done with a vehicle that was kept out doors (in Il) and not used for this lenght of time?

Got to autozone and get the code read they do it for free. Next I would change the fluids (oil and antifreeze). You might want to try a fuel additive to clean any junk out of the injectors. I would also run as much of the old gas out as possible and refill the tank with fresh gas. Get teh code read and post it and we will go from there.

[sjwoody]

My 92 engine is different than yours, but if you get it running I'd look at some other issues too. I bought my 92 from dad last year with only 65k miles on it. I thought I'd be good with that few of miles on it, but I had some serious problems with the brakes due to the low mileage. I guess condensation had gotten into the brake fluid, rusting out most components, he lives in a western desert too. At the very least, I'd flush out your brake fluid before you start driving it much....

[deerecrouse]

I was just reading your post and I am a owner of a 99 also..I am always trying to save a buck and I like to ask others about the problem first...I would suggest to take it by a Advance auto or Auto zone and they will plug a box in to it for free and see if it has any service codes in it..This may identify a problem and this info can be told to your mechanic.This can prevent a "parts changing until its fixed" problem with some mechanics. I am a retired service manager at a John Deere Dealer..Hope this helps
Deerecrouse