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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

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

You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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Messages Page 50 of 639

#488 of 6385 Explorer Radio/CD player...attention Masonmi by njdevilsrn

Feb 05, 2001 (10:48 pm)

If my radio ever had a problem off warranty, I would not replace it with a Ford radio. They've got to be kidding you that they want $300 for a radio/CD player. I don't know what invoice on the unit is, but the process of taking out a radio and replacing it with an exact model takes less than 5 minutes. I watched the mechainic at my dealer replace the one in my sister's 1998 Explorer. BTW...I think Ford's radios are junky as of late. The displays go dim after a few years, the sound range isn't all that great, and they seem to be prone to problems. As I mentioned the radio for my sister's truck, it took the dealer 5 weeks to get the part, and they put it in and it didn't work. All in all she was without a radio for about 2 months...complete shutdown.
 
In my 2000 Explorer, I had an Alpine system installed at the local car audio place. I pretty much just shopped around at the places my dealer recommended, and came away with a booming system 4 hours and $598 later (Alpine head unit and speakers). But even if you were not into getting new speakers, the radio/CD player (and Alpine is pretty much top of the line stuff, there are cheaper product lines and more expensive) could have been put in for about $300. An added bonus is that most reputable places will give you the stuff that they take out back. This way when you ever get rid of the vehicle, for a small fee they can put the old stuff back in and give you your premium products.

#489 of 6385 Iexplore2000 and CD radio unit by mazman1

Feb 06, 2001 (6:33 am)

TSB's can be referenced at website www.alldata.com.
 
I am pretty sure the "CD too hot" problem is caused by your heater unit, not the radio... unless you are playing a lot of Toni Braxton...
 
An aftermarket radio will definitely perform better than the stock Ford radio.. recall that ford puts items like this up for bid, and the contarct goes to the LOWEST bidder.. hence the quality may suffer.
 
I got an aftermarket radio and speakers rather cheaply from www.crutchfield.com .. they give you all the instructions, tools and modular cables to install it yourself... (and they have a very good return policy if you dont like it)... my Pioneer system cost about $250 with Polk speakers.

#490 of 6385 Thanks Again Mazman1 But.. by iexplore2000

Feb 06, 2001 (9:24 am)

I searched www.alldata.com in addition to National Highway and Safety. Both did not list any information pertaining to the CD issue as well as the rear wiper issue? I guess I will contact the dealership and give them the information that you posted earlier, hoping that they will be able to assist me once again.
 
Thanks!
 
IExplore2000aol.com

#491 of 6385 iexplore2000 by mazman1

Feb 06, 2001 (11:36 am)

I know that the rear wipe issue is there... maybe try looking under a different year... it is a problem i've seen come over the dispatches before.
 
give a look to www.nhtsa.gov as well for TSB's
 
If you have a dealer that is on the ball, they will already know this and there should be no problem... the wiper motor is fine.. the interior light bulbs are fine.. it is the GEM module that is defective.

#492 of 6385 iexplore2000 by mazman1

Feb 06, 2001 (11:38 am)

The CD issue is not in a TSB, although I have seen this problem on at least one other explorers.. the solution was to install inulation behind the radio to keep the heat going out the vents... and away from the radio.

#494 of 6385 4.0 SOHC V-6 by dodgeram10

Feb 07, 2001 (9:26 pm)

IS THEIR SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU 4.0 SOHC V-6 OWNERS THE ONLY REASON THAT FORD EXTENDED THE COVERAGE ON THESE ENGINE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUNK.
IF FORD WOULD HAVE DESIGN A GOOD ENGINE IN THE FIRST PLACE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO SAVE MONEY THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THIS ENGINE WAS DESIGNED IN GERMANY SO IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE DESIGNER IS A COMPLETELY STUPID OR DRUNK ONE.
ANYONE THAT BUYS ONE OF THESE EXPLORERS WITH THE SOHC 4.0 V-6 HAS TO BE OUT OF YOUR MIND. GET THE V-8. FORD KILLED OFF THE GOOD 4.0 OHV V-6 THE REASON WAS THEY LAST TO LONG AND FORD COULD NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY OFF THAT ENGINE SO THEY DESIGNED A ENGINE THAT IS MORE PRONE TO COME APART INTERNALLY SO THEY CAN MAKE SO MONEY. IF YOU DO ON A 4.0 SOHC V-6 YOU SHOULD MAKE FORD BY THEIR JUNK BACK. RECALL NUMBER 00M12 IS FOR THE INTAKE GASKETS AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS PEOPLE THINK DO NOT BUY A FORD EXPLORER WITH THIS ENGINE. THEY SOUND LIKE DIESELS ON START UP DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND THEY HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEMS THAT ARE EXCESSIVE THEY LEAK VACUUM FROM THE INTAKE O-RING GASKETS. THEY HAVE 3 TIMING CHAINS AND 3 CAMS THIS IS A POOR DESIGN EXPLORER STAND UP TO FORD AND LET WHAT YOU THINK BE KNOWN YOU DO NOT WANT FORD TO KEEP PRODUCING THIS ENGINE.

#495 of 6385 4.0 sohc v-6 by scooty

Feb 08, 2001 (8:22 am)

OK so we made a mistake.So what should we do buy a dodge?Two wrongs dont make a right.

#496 of 6385 #479 response-growling noise. by tallimeca1

Feb 08, 2001 (1:44 pm)

I have been told by a ford master technician that this characteristic explorer problem is due to a bad IAC valve. I have no clue what it is or what it does, but I'm sure your dealership does.

#497 of 6385 To Dodgeram10 by jrc346

Feb 08, 2001 (2:39 pm)

Choose your words wisely. Im not crazy because I have two explorers. I really like both my 96 sport and my 2000XLT. Both have been terrific vehicles. My 2000 has the 4.0 SOHC engine in it and it does have the timing chain tensioner problem...Its not very bad yet though. I have a great service department and they are going to replace the nylon tensioners with the steel ones. Yeah Ford really goofed here, But they also have fixed the part and they have extended the warrantee. I'm glad Ford did even that. The saying, may beggers not be choosers comes to mind... This is the only problem that I have had with either of my explorers and I am not about to complain. I drive them hard, I take them off road, and yet still not a sqeek. I have an idea for you instead of trying to talk for everone here and call all 4.0 SOHC engines junk...Just state your own personal experience with the engine/explorer and let the people reading the posts decide on what they think of the engine. The reason I chose this engine for my explorer is becuase it had a higher resale value and i need it to pull my 5,000lb cargo trailer. Just a friendly suggestion from a pleased Ford Explorer owner.

Messages Page 50 of 639

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