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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 531 of 639

#5298 of 6385 Re: Larest Explorer Recall [electricdesign] by bioman

Aug 13, 2006 (8:10 am)

Replying to: electricdesign (Aug 12, 2006 12:24 pm)
My casual post of a few days ago, concerning the latest Ford recall of some Explorers, really got me to act. After reading ED’s response about this recall I decided to look deeper in to the issue. I wondered why Ford is recalling only 1998 Explorers. Was there something unique about that particular year? Since I have a 1999 Explorer my first response was: “Wow missed it by one year”. As a result of ED’s posting I Googled the topic further and found out that he was right on the money. Apparently Ford had been using the same or similar component and circuitry that are involved in the recall from about 1992 up through 2003. They had recalled quite a few vehicles in the past. Now they are recalling quite a few more. Why are they being so selective if the failing component and its circuitry are used on many models they are not recalling? Consequently, I took my VOM and checked out my Explorer as per ED’s recommendation. With the ignition off, I checked for voltage in the lines running to the switch in question and sure enough I was getting readings of 12.67 volts. I decided to disconnect and tape over the wires going to the switch. I will stop using my cruise control and wait for Ford to send me a recall letter. By the time Ford decides to make the recall my Explorer my turn in to a Honda Fit or something similar. One thing is certain; it won’t be another Ford product!! I’m quite tired of reading about recalls for a vehicle I own. I am also quite tired of going back to the dealer to deal with these recalls (GEM modules, Firestone tires, timing chain tensioners, seat brackets, etc.). I’ve lost confidence in Ford. It may have taken 44 years, but it has happened.

#5299 of 6385 Re: Starter Problems: 91 explorer [electricdesign] by capt_jake

Aug 16, 2006 (8:55 am)

Replying to: electricdesign (Feb 22, 2006 8:25 pm)
New Memeber so excuse my idiocy.....I have a 94 explorer xl which is only getting a soloinoid click....found cable to starter rusted away,....replaced it....found 2 posts on starter and a wire going to plunger....attached wire from solonoid to bottom and plunger to top....still just solonoid click.....any ideas

#5300 of 6385 Re: Starter Problems: 91 explorer [capt_jake] by electricdesign

Aug 16, 2006 (8:39 pm)

Replying to: capt_jake (Aug 16, 2006 8:55 am)
You should connect the wires back they way they were originally. In case you got it mixed up, there is a smaller solenoid wire and a large battery cable that go to the solenoid/starter assembly. Disconnect the cable at the battery before making the connections at the starter. Connect the large battery cable to the top large terminal of the solenoid assembly. The bottom large terminal is supposed to be connected to the starter motor. Connect the smaller solenoid wire to the smaller solenoid terminal.
There is also a Starter Relay mounted on the inside of the fender. You will see the Large battery wire go to the relay and another large battery wire go from the relay down to the starter motor. This relay also has a solenoid wire connected to it. For the starter to work, both the relay AND the solenoid need to work properly. Check all connections at the battery (both + and - sides) and at the relay and at the solenoid/starter assembly to be sure they are tight. When done, connect the battery cable back to the battery, and check to see if it works. Is the Battery fully charged and strong? Turn on the headlights, and watch if they dim when trying to start the engine. If weak, charge or replace. If you still just get a click, you need to use a test light or an electric meter to trace the current through the circuit, make sure the voltage gets though the relay when the key is turned, and then make sure that the voltage gets to the upper large solenoid/starter terminal at the starter. Then check to see if voltage gets through to the lower large solenoid/solenoid terminal that carries current to the starter motor. If there is voltage across the starter motor, and the motor does not turn or try to turn, there must be a problem with the starter itself. Let us know what you find.
Good Luck,
E.D. ISF

#5301 of 6385 Re: Starter Problems: 91 explorer [electricdesign] by capt_jake

Aug 17, 2006 (8:03 am)

Replying to: electricdesign (Aug 16, 2006 8:39 pm)
Thanks for the responce....did all that still just getting the relay click...I misidentified the solonoid as plunger and the relay as solonoid.....ooops....It is easy enough to pull the starter,,,,is really hard to access or even see when installed...make sure it is still working....maybe the solonoid wire or posts need cleaning....will let ya know....Buy Mopar....lol

#5302 of 6385 Re: Starter Problems: 91 explorer [capt_jake] by capt_jake

Aug 17, 2006 (5:15 pm)

Replying to: capt_jake (Aug 17, 2006 8:03 am)
well after pulling the starter I found the solonoid wire rusted away too...so buy install a new starter...problem solved for $150.00

#5303 of 6385 Re: Starter Problems: 91 explorer [capt_jake] by electricdesign

Aug 17, 2006 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: capt_jake (Aug 17, 2006 5:15 pm)
Way to go, Captain!

#5304 of 6385 Engine Humming Noise by b003101

Aug 18, 2006 (6:46 am)

I have a 2000 Explorer 5.0 V8. Just recently there has started a odd humming noise coming at or near the air filter assembly. When it happens (hot or cold) you can feel the vibration on the airfilter hose going to the engine. I have changed the filter and when it does occur have even been able to stop it by unclipping the airfilter box. Any ideas on why this is now occurring?

#5305 of 6385 Re: Problem with the 2006 Explorer [jakesallypetey] by styson

Aug 18, 2006 (8:49 am)

Replying to: jakesallypetey (Aug 04, 2006 4:42 am)
Yes, I've had a problem with my 2006 Explorer for 3 months now. It has a loss of power which is causing a continuous surging or loping feeling when driving the vehicle. It feels jerky and I'm afraid it's going to cut off any minute.The Ford Dealer and all of the Reps. I've spoken to say that it's a normal characteristic of the engine modification they did starting with the 2005 models to make them run on a "leaner mixter" and get better gas mileage.They advise that I should have no worries about it cutting off on me. There was a Ford update on 6/28/06 concerning a surging issue but there's no fix for it yet.At this point I'm so frustrated with the way my Explorer is running I'm considering a Lemon Law attorney also.I've had three other Explorers that I've loved and thought this one was my dream vehicle, butI don't want it anymore.

#5306 of 6385 1997 Ford Explorer by wpack

Aug 19, 2006 (11:20 am)

I have a 97 Explorer, the check engine light came on, I had Auto Zone use the scanner, it said I had a misfire in cylinder 1 I believe, so I changed the plugs & wires, the engine is running rough even after I changed the plugs & wires, what else could be wrong ? any help would be appreciated.

#5307 of 6385 Re: 1997 Ford Explorer [wpack] by electricdesign

Aug 20, 2006 (7:01 am)

Replying to: wpack (Aug 19, 2006 11:20 am)
What engine do you have? How many miles? I would assume it has over 100k miles. Several things can cause the engine #1 cylinder to misfire, plugs and wires are just two of them. You could have a vaccuum leak that is affecting that cylinder, or an electrical problem with the coil, or a problem with the fuel injector, or an internal problem in the cylinder such as a leaking valve, a leaking gasket, or a cracked head. Start with the easiest things first and work your way towards the most difficult problems, until you find the problem. Check the ignition spark at the end of the #1 spark plug wire, to be sure it is strong, compare it to the others, don't get shocked! Check all the vaccuum lines to be sure there are no leaks. Put a vaccuum gauge on the intake manifold to check the engine vaccuum under all conditions. There might be a vaccuum leak on an intake gasket near the #1 cylinder. Then run a compression test on all the cylinders, do a dry test first, then a wet test second. Compare the results between all the clyinders and between the first test and the second test.
There, that's a few things you can do to check to get you started. Let us know what you find.
Good Luck,
E.D. ISF

Messages Page 531 of 639

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