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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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Messages Page 119 of 639

#1175 of 6385 The real story on the 4wd systems. by g159

Jan 14, 2002 (9:02 pm)

Unfortunately, there appears to be some misinformation on previous posts.
The 91-94 Explorer used a part time system for use on slick roads. The 95-2002 use the control trac system that uses computer monitors to apply an electromagnetic clutch (except the awd v8 from 96-2001)(and except the 2001 two door) to put power to the front wheels. Originally the dial on the dash had three spots, 2wd, automatic 4wd, and 4wd low. The 2wd can be used on any surface. The automatic 4wd can be used at any time,rain, snow,dirt, dry concrete,etc. The 4wd low is a part time system. At some point, ?97 or 98 or 99, the switch was modified to be three postions, automatic 4wd, 4wd HI, and 4wd low. So the vehicle can be left in automatic 4wd on any surface (heck, there isn't even a 2wd mode) or placed in 4wd Hi with locked differential for slippery surface or 4wd low for slippery surfaces only. Now the redesigned ?2001 two door explorer sport appears to have the old style 2wd, 4 hi, and 4wd low...with no automatic settings. It is purely part time. (Also in the mid to late 90s, the Ford Expedition used a 4 postition dial to give 2wd, auto 4wd, 4hi and 4 lo) Some of this may be incorrect, but is correct to the best of my knowledge. If anybody spots any errors, please post.

#1176 of 6385 mookie14 by swschrad

Jan 14, 2002 (11:11 pm)

hmmm, rear-ended... I would first squirt heavy silicone on all the body isolators, including the ones that support the rear springs, and see if squeaks improve. I am not sure where my issue was as it has disappeared again now that it's cold but I suspected mine was in the drivers seat, low and back. it might have been the pillar, as some have reported, but if there were sorta-welds there, it shouldn't have quit squeaking when it got cold.
 
one thing I have always fallen back on with squeaks that never go away over the years is try to get them to squeak in my key, so we can sing along together down the road.

#1177 of 6385 Rusting parts by njdevilsrn

Jan 16, 2002 (10:16 am)

Hello all. Just noticed the other day after I decided to look for a cause of an annoying squeak/grinding noise as I opened the liftglass that the top of both "strong arms" and their connecting pieces to the back window are rusty. The truck is a 2000 XLS, so I intend on having Ford rectify the situation on warranty, but have any of you had a similar problem?

#1178 of 6385 1996 V8 Explorer Steering problem by dtownfb

Jan 16, 2002 (10:17 am)

I have a 96 Explorer V8 with 121,000 miles on it. Outside of the tires cupping and replacing the throttle body plate at 42,000 miles, the car has been extremely reliable.
 
The steering wheel began sticking at about 95,000 miles. It was only intermittent. Now it does it every time. What I mean by sticking is, as you go to turn the steering wheel the wheel stops and you have to give it an extra effort to get it to continue turning. Once you get beyond this "sticking" point it turns with no problem. It doesn't seem to hurt the performance of the vehicle but it is more a nuisance than anything else. I had it checked out by an independent garage (fluids, belt, etc.) and they saw nothing wrong. the only other thing is the steering rack. Could this be the problem? has anyone else had this problem? may consider getting this repaired since I will keep the vehicle as long as it lasts. The engine says it wants ot go anothe 5
                     years.
 
                     Thanks for any help.

#1179 of 6385 Re: 4x4 by dtownfb

Jan 16, 2002 (10:31 am)

I re-read smokn14jooriginal post and it thru me off since he said...
 
<<For the last several days the 4WD H/L light blinks while in 2 wheel drive. When the vehicle is in 4WD and you take a slow turn on dry pavement there is a profound grinding and vibrating that comes from the front end>>
 
i assumed his friend manually put it into 4wd (4WD hi). That is why i suggested putting it in 4wd auto and leaving it there.
 
The 4WD Auto under everyday driving conditions is 2WD (rear wheels) until the computer detects slippage in the tires, then it activates the 4WD for you. Once there is no slippage detected it switches back to RWD (or at least 98% RWD). So it is OK to keep it in 4WD auto all the time. If you are going through snow or ice or off road, you then probably want to switch it to 4wd Hi so the system stays in 4WD mode since you are on a slippery, unpredictable surface. You don't want to use 4WD Hi on normal suraces. that is when you get the "binding" in the turns.
 
Hope that clarifys everything. Now I hope someone can help me with my steering problem.

#1180 of 6385 RE: rusty parts by dtownfb

Jan 16, 2002 (10:34 am)

Have had surface rust on my tailgate lift arms for a few years. Hasn't affecte d the performance. But I also don't have the rattles that you complain about. I would have them take a look at them. Just to make sure they are stable. Teh lifft arms are not that expensive nor are they hard to install.

#1181 of 6385 Coolant Question on a '99 by effykaye

Jan 16, 2002 (5:28 pm)

This is my first time posting. Didn't think we would buy a Ford Explorer, but ended up with a good deal. Got a '99 2WD with 18K on it, and a good price for our trade-in. I took it to get our first oil change (20K). The guy there said the coolant looked really dark for 20K. The scheduled maintenance for the coolant is supposed to be at 42K. He suggested we take it in to the dealership. Does anyone know about this problem and if there is any kind of recall related to this? Also, to respond to any earlier message about the extended warranty, we insisted on the 75K premium warranty. The salesman hemmed and hawed but they definitely can haggle and it's not a fixed number. He did quote something like $1500 and that the finance guys were firm, but we said he could find a way to work with the numbers. We got it down to $1000, though I think they were creative with the combination of our trade-in and the base price. Thanks for any feedback.

#1182 of 6385 Spin around town by tidester

Jan 16, 2002 (5:53 pm)

Check out the '02 Ford Explorer V8 4WD here!

tidester
Host
SUVs

#1183 of 6385 cruise control by wh23fdct

Jan 17, 2002 (4:55 pm)

After using my cruise control on my 99XLT V8, my gas pedal seems to stick when begining to depress it. This has happened before but the sticking went away. Now it has been sticking for 2 weeks. Did I hear about a recall on this or has anyone else had this? Thanks, Jim

#1184 of 6385 sticky gas pedal by smily1

Jan 17, 2002 (9:44 pm)

I am about ready to take mine in. I have a 98 V8 AWD with the sticking problem but not just after I use the cruise. I have sprayed some WD-40 on the throttle flap shaft??? I dont know what you call it. It seemed to fix it for a while.

Messages Page 119 of 639

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