P0300вЂ“ Random Multiple Misfire: Something is making all of the plugs misfire. If this is causing the code, itвЂ™ll usually be accompanied by a misfire-related trouble code. It can be subtle enough that you canвЂ™t feel it as you drive your Explorer. A misfiring engine does not have to make a noticeable sputter sound. HereвЂ™s more on diagnosing a bad catalytic converter. If this is the case, youвЂ™ll likely get P0420. This happens because itвЂ™s so clogged that it can no longer pass exhaust gas freely. A really bad converter will glow red, and your Explorer will have a hard time accelerating.

If the code remains P2098, youвЂ™ll need to continue pursuing your diagnosis, knowing that both O2 sensors are working fine.ДЄ clogged catalytic converter is a common cause of P2098.

If the code changes to P2096 (which indicates the O2 sensor on Bank 1 is too lean), that is proof enough that your Explorer needs a new O2 sensor.

Run the engine until the check engine light comes back on.

TheyвЂ™ll be on or right after each catalytic converter on each side of the exhaust.

Swap the Bank 2 Sensor 1 O2 sensor with the Bank 1 Sensor 1.

First, clear the DTC codes with your scanner.

By swapping the two oxygen sensors, we can determine if the oxygen sensor is the problem. Since P2098 only occurs with engines with two banks, that means that there is a sister code for Bank 1 ( P2096). HereвЂ™s more on diagnosing a bad O2 sensor in your Explorer. YouвЂ™ll need to test the sensor and determine if it is bad or good. Oxygen SensorДЄ bad oxygen sensor is one of the most common reasons that youвЂ™ll see P2098. If any other codes are present, cross-reference the common causes with the ones listed below and see what causes they share in common. Typically, this code will be accompanied by other codes that can help you narrow down exactly what is causing it.Дiagnosing P2098 by itself can be a challenge due to the number of things that can go wrong and throw the code. A good code scanner will aid immensely in the diagnosis.

Bad Fuel MileageвЂ“ Fuel mileage will almost always suffer from this code being present since the air-fuel mixture is off.

A wide range of problems can cause P2098.

Check Engine LightвЂ“ The reason why you are here.

Red Catalytic ConverterвЂ“ If your catalytic converter is glowing red, that is a strong indication that it has gone bad.

KnockingвЂ“ A loud knock is common with P2098.

It may also misfire and have a hard time accelerating.

Rough Running EngineвЂ“ With your ExplorerвЂ™s engine running a little too lean, you may notice that it struggles to idle properly.

Typically, if your Explorer registered P2098, there will be noticeable symptoms. While it is annoying to have to find bank 2, having two banks is nice since we can use the вЂњswap testвЂќ to diagnose and determine if the oxygen sensor is bad or not without using anything other than an end wrench and your OBD2 scanner.

So, youвЂ™re going to need to determine which side of the engine is bank 2В in your Explorer. P2098 can ONLY appear on engines with two banks. So, the number of cylinder heads a vehicle has determines the number of banks (it can only be one or two banks). The term вЂњbankвЂќ refers to a row of cylinders. The oxygen sensor directly behind the catalytic converter is the one that youвЂ™ll be looking for. There is an oxygen sensor located after your catalytic converter (on the bank 2 side, weвЂ™ll get to that in about 30 more seconds of reading time), reporting that the air/fuel ratio is too lean (too much air in relation to fuel). The fuel trim system is what your Ford Explorer uses to adjust the air-fuel ratio for optimum combustion. Your ExplorerвЂ™s catalytic converter is responsible for breaking down exhaust gasses and making them inert, which greatly decreases emissions output. Post catalyst means whatever is happening is after the catalytic converter (in terms of exhaust flow). P2098: Post Catalyst вЂ“ Fuel Trim SystemВ Too Lean вЂ“ Bank 2

Understanding it can help you make the right diagnosis. This particular code is generic, so it has the same meaning for your Ford Explorer as any other vehicle. It specifically indicates that your Explorer detected a lean condition after the catalytic converter (too much air for the amount of fuel present).

Ford diagnostic code p2098