Four problems related to emission control have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Onboard diagnostics indicated oxygen sensor error--common problem.
I was driving down the road and when going down a hill the veh. Stared to make a grinding noise. I had to get up out of the hole to pull off and I noted that when I steped back on the gas it stoped. It only does this when coasting or braking. I took it to the shop and they said it was a failure in the transfer case. I started looking for a new one on the net and found alot of other people describing the same problem to a t. One guy stated that his mechanic said that the gem control module had failed or partially failed and commanded the tranfer case to disengage causing damage to the case. It appeared to be a Ford electronic defect not having a fail safe mode but instead ordering the tranfer case to self destruct. The oxygen senors I replace them and they go right back out.
Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with fuel vapor smell coming inside the vehicle. Dealer notified, and was unable to locate the problem. Also, seat moves back and forth, and driver's shoulder belt would not latch properly. Dealer notified.
Emmission/exhaust control sensor failed causing the check engine light to illuminate. Mjs.