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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6386 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2013 at 6:07 PM

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Messages Page 428 of 639

#4270 of 6386 Explorer not idleing right by will18

Aug 25, 2005 (2:28 pm)

I have a 1996 ford explorer AWD V8. In the past i have had problems with the car idleing at the right number of RPMs when started, usually after wet weather. A quick fix was to just give it gas when i cranked it. The car has never stalled or anything while it was running. Now when I went to start the car today it wouldnt idle right even after i gave it gas and tried to crank it about 16 times. There was also a slight squeeking noise when it ran at low RPMs. It usually cranks to and idles around a little over a thousand, today I could barely get it to idle over 250 RPMs. When I tried to put the car in gear and reverse it, it shut down. I think it has something to do with the fuel pump or injection as all the elecrical works and the serpentine belt is in line. It just wont maintain a constant idle high enough to drive on. Can anyone tell me what I can do, what is wrong, or if I need to head to the auto shop?

#4271 of 6386 Re: STRANGE NOISE [chuck1] by explorerx4

Aug 25, 2005 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Aug 24, 2005 3:49 pm)
hey chuck, just wanted you to know that i checked my gas mileage over the last 3 tanks. 1023 miles, 54 gallons.
regarding peoples transmissions issues, i have an '02, had the flush done at 30k. it was worth it. prior to that i had a reflash done, but that didn't seem to make any difference.

#4272 of 6386 Re: Explorer not idleing right [will18] by exploded99

Aug 25, 2005 (5:06 pm)

Replying to: will18 (Aug 25, 2005 2:28 pm)
I would start by cleaning the mass air flow sensor and the idle air control valve. Use a good quality throttle body cleaner. Instructions can be had by searching the web. Not difficult, but to get the MAF out you need an anti-tamper socket. Some auto parts stores have them. Replace your fuel filter while you are at it. A fuel line disconnect tool is needed, also at the parts store. Buy a cheap plastic set and use the 3/8 size.
 
After you get them cleaned, see how it idles. If its better but sttil not right, then you probably would want to replace the IAC - it often causes poor idle. The fact that you were able to get it to start by giving it a little gas means it could be the IAC - this opens the throttle plate, and effectively bypasses the IAC. You do not have a check engine light, and that also points toward the IAC - they do not set a trouble code.
 
If the problem does not improve, you will be looking for another problem. Don't replace the fuel pump without getting a fuel pressure test - its over 200.00 Quite a few people try this , and it does not always fix the problem.
 
Start with the simple stuff, and work your way up.

#4273 of 6386 Re: Loud whining noise from air filter canister on 99 Explorer [aaaaa] by aaaaa

Aug 26, 2005 (5:35 am)

Replying to: aaaaa (Aug 25, 2005 10:19 am)
I tried cleaning the IAC valve with no luck. I replaced it with a new one $50.00 and it works like a champ.

#4274 of 6386 2003 Explorer 4.0 SOHC Code P0455 by firerider

Aug 26, 2005 (6:49 am)

Hey folks, wife driving the other day and SES dash light appears. I go to Auto Zone and had codes pulled.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
P0455
(1) LOOSE FUEL CAP
(2) EVAP CANISTER HOSE CRACKED
(3) PURGE OR VOLT SOLENOID DEFECTIVE
(4) VACUUM LEAK AT ENGINE
 
Anyone have a similar episode and could maybe point me in the right direction, what was your remedy..?
 
Checked cap--seems okay.
Evap hoses seem okay--hard to tell.
I havent checked #3 & #4 yet.
thanks everybody, Rich
GREAT SITE BY THE WAY...HOPE I'M HERE FOR A LONG TIME, AS I'M LOOKING TO PURCHASE THE NEWLY REDISIGNED AND LARGER SPORT TRACK...

#4275 of 6386 Re: Loud whining noise from air filter canister on 99 Explorer [aaaaa] by slydog

Aug 26, 2005 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: aaaaa (Aug 25, 2005 10:19 am)
I had the same problem. It is identified as the famous ford "Moosing" sound. I too cleaned mine, however cleaning it did not solve the problem for long. After about 2 weeks the sound was back. The noise is coming from the the little small black cap which is actually a filter located on the IAC valve.. You can clean it but due to age the the foam inside will clog up the hole again. I just went to ADVANCE auto parts and purchased a new one for $47.00. No more "Moosing"
If you pull the black cap off, the moosing will go away, but if you put your finger over the hole that supports the black cap, your XLS will sound like you just installed a moose horn. Hope this helps.
 
Sly

#4276 of 6386 Re: STRANGE NOISE [fordexp1] by nvbanker

Aug 26, 2005 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: fordexp1 (Aug 24, 2005 12:28 pm)
No dipstick is literally by necessity - with the V-8, there was no way to route a dipstick tube to the surface from below - so, the transmission is "sealed for life" - which should under normal circumstances be about 100,000 miles.

#4277 of 6386 Re: STRANGE NOISE [nvbanker] by chuck1

Aug 26, 2005 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Aug 26, 2005 5:11 pm)
"sealed for life" - which should under normal circumstances be about 100,000 miles.
 
Yea, and if I am not mistaken-there is no mention of a fluid change for 100,000 miles either. Wait this long and you will have a piece of junk for a transmission. If the tranny is "sealed for life"- then Ford should warrant it for such. Unlike you, (and me) some people keep their vehicles for 150,000 miles plus- there is a chance they will leak (some-not a lot) and there is no way to refill these things. It is a really BAD IDEA- not to have a dipstick or a practical way to "top it off" if needed.

#4278 of 6386 BAD IDEA- not to have a dipstick by chuck1 by lateralg

Aug 27, 2005 (8:54 am)

I think it's a really BAD IDEA to have a route (dipstick) for contaminants to enter the transmission.
 
In the big picture I believe more transmissions fail due to contamination than leakage. Leakage can be detected. Contamination's warning is transmission failure.
 
"Wait this long and you will have a piece of junk for a transmission."
 
What is this statement based on? Hopefully it's based on fleet and durability tests on a large number of vehicles operating in a wide variety of duty cycles ... which is what Ford based their decision on.

#4279 of 6386 Re: BAD IDEA- not to have a dipstick by chuck1 [lateralg] by chuck1

Aug 27, 2005 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: lateralg (Aug 27, 2005 8:54 am)
In the big picture I believe more transmissions fail due to contamination than leakage. Leakage can be detected. Contamination's warning is transmission failure.
 
There are millions of car with automatic transmissions that HAVE DIPSTICKS. The amount of contamination that would enter in to a dipstick is very, very small. There have been many on this board (including myself) that have drained and refilled this "sealed for life" transmission at 30,000 miles, and have noticed a greatly improved shifting of the transmission. So it would seem that "sealed for life" is flawed in real world driving.

Messages Page 428 of 639

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