Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

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

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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#5906 of 6386 Re: 2002 Ford Explorer Read End Noise [electricdesign] by high451

Sep 22, 2007 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (Jul 18, 2005 8:30 pm)
I have a 2004 4X4 Explorer XLT with 36,000 miles. I'm starting to hear a kind of high pitched, whining noise coming from the rear of vehicle. Noise is noticeable from about 45 MPH and up. When I let off accelerator pedal, the noise stops and then starts again when I push accelerator pedal down to resume speed. My question is this - does this scenario sound like a wheel bearing problem? axle carrier problem, or differential problem? And while I've got you attention, there is a slight popping, dragging in the front wheels (can feel it in steering wheel also) occasionally when turning at real slow speeds such as when parking. Vehicle is not in 4X4 mode when this happens. Any ideas? Thanks,

#5907 of 6386 Re: 2002 Ford Explorer Read End Noise [high451] by electricdesign

Sep 23, 2007 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: high451 (Sep 22, 2007 7:34 pm)
At 36,000 miles you are at the end of the factory warrenty. Did you get an extended warrenty? The noise you describe sounds like it could be in the rear axle, it comes from slight misalignment of the gears usually due to loose bearings. With out knowing much about it, your only recourse is to have an expert check it. They can remove the cover and check the bearings, gears and clearances. It will cost you labor and fluid cost for the inspection, plus any additional costs for repairs.
The front end will also need an inspection by an expert, as the popping and dragging could come from several sources. You can check the most obvious parts by checking to see if the brakes are dragging or if any front end parts are loose.
Good Luck,
E.D. ISF

#5908 of 6386 Re: 2002 Ford Explorer Read End Noise [high451] by shark715

Sep 23, 2007 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: high451 (Sep 22, 2007 7:34 pm)
The symptoms you describe could also be a transfer case problem.

#5909 of 6386 Re: Fuel pump quits [gconnor] by electricdesign

Sep 23, 2007 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: gconnor (Aug 23, 2007 4:18 am)
This problem could be an intermittent fuel pump relay. I would first pull the relay and check the the contacts on the relay and socket to see if they look good and fit snugly. Check all the fuel pump wiring and fuse to be sure all connections are tight and wiring looks good. If everything looks ok, replace the fuel pump relay with a new one and see if the problem goes away.
Good Luck,
E.D. ISF

#5910 of 6386 Re: Gear shift lever broken-Ford Expl 2002 -please help ! [eflynn00] by paul7281

Sep 24, 2007 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: eflynn00 (Sep 19, 2007 8:16 am)
Hi efly00, I'm paul7281 I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, XLT, V6. It's just luck that Rosemary, a happy 02 ford explorer owner, was reading some of my comments in a Open Letter to Ford Motor Company, I was a little angry! She gave me this Part number (5L2Z-3C529-A) I went to our local parts dealer and ordered the steering column for $550.00 and I removed the old steering column and installed the new steering column about 3-1/2 hours. IT FIT - IT DOES WORK I'm driving my ford explorer. Go back and order the steering column with this Part number (5L2Z-3C529-A) BEFOR FORD PUTS IT ON BACK-ORDER...............Paul

#5911 of 6386 Re: Gear shift lever broken-Ford Expl 2002 -please help ! [paul7281] by bn3757

Sep 26, 2007 (10:44 am)

Replying to: paul7281 (Sep 24, 2007 7:35 pm)
Hi paul7281, I'm bn3757. We, too have a Ford Explorer XLT and have now experienced the same problem with the shifter not once but TWICE. Last February it broke off - had no luck with the extended warranty or dealership, so eventually fixed it to the tune of $900. Happened again yesterday evening and again Ford will do nothing about it, and this time parts are on back order (can't even get Part #5L2Z-3C529-A. I've filed a complaint with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (did so last year as well) - I would encourage anyone else who has this problem to file formal complaints so maybe Ford will do something about it before somebody gets hurt. In the meantime, we are stuck without a car until we can find the part. Thx! Beth

#5912 of 6386 Re: Gear shift lever broken-Ford Expl 2002 -please help ! [bn3757] by paul7281

Sep 28, 2007 (5:31 pm)

Replying to: bn3757 (Sep 26, 2007 10:44 am)
Hi bn3757, paul7281, Was the steering column you had replaced used? I called every auto wrecker and used parts house in California and parts Nevada, from San Francisco to Reno and north to Redding and down to Bakersfield. Every 02 ford explorer steering column, I found had the same problem with the gear shift lever broken. Only two I saw that looked to be good. I took a toothbrush with a little solvent and a crack was visible in the cast part that holds the gear shift lever bar - No Good!!! After reading your posted message I went to my local parts dealer and asked about the steering column (part number 5L2Z-3C529-A) that he had ordered for me. He called Ford Parts where he got the part, and asked about ordering this (part number 5L2Z-3C529-A) again, the Ford Parts Dealer told him this (part number 5L2Z-3C529-A) is an upgrade for the old (part number 4L2Z-3C529-DA) and will not be available until some time in November 2007. He told the Ford parts man I just got one here from Ford. All the Ford parts man said was, sorry it's not available and we don't have a price for that part. The second Ford Parts Dealer he called, told him (part number 5L2Z-3C529-A) is on back order?. What is Ford doing? this part was available I have the (5L2Z-3C529-A- STEERING COLUMN) in my 02 ford explorer Know Ford says it's not available?. I was told by a local Ford Dealer this will be the third or forth change due to this problem with the gear shift lever. BUT NO RECALL! Sorry bn3757 it looks like this will not be much Help........Paul

#5913 of 6386 Re: 2004 Explorer Problems [censming] by pacco12

Oct 01, 2007 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: censming (Mar 13, 2005 10:23 pm)
hey did you ever get this answered? i just started having the same issue with my 04. the ABS light is on and the 4x4 high is flashing... i am taking it in tomorrow if i can but i am hoping it is something simple. write me back if you have an answer..
 
thanks.

#5914 of 6386 Re: Gear shift lever broken-Ford Expl 2002 -please help ! [paul7281] by bn3757

Oct 02, 2007 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: paul7281 (Sep 28, 2007 5:31 pm)
Hey Paul - bn3757 here. The steering column replaced last year was new - part #4L2Z-3C529-DA. Obviously a faulty part, but local dealer will not stand behind it as it was repaired over a year ago (Feb '06). I've checked online too w/ the same story - part 5L2Z-3C529-A is on backorder until November. Calls to Ford not helpful - they did say they would try to expedite, but I'm not holding my breath. We have a rental car for now - very frustrating. I'm gathering info and will report to NHTSA. Found 16 reported cases on their website -but so far no signs of a formal investigation. I plan to keep looking - would like to see Ford do something about this before someone gets hurt! Thanks for your response... Beth

#5915 of 6386 Re: Gear shift lever broken-Ford Expl 2002 -please help ! [bn3757] by jfenglishnc

Oct 02, 2007 (4:44 pm)

Replying to: bn3757 (Oct 02, 2007 1:47 pm)
My gear shift just broke off tonight when trying to put the car in park. Is there a way to use a screw driver to shift the gears. The car is in a covered garage and it is going to be a nightmare trying to get out and tow. Can't get the keys out since it is not in park. This explorer is awful. Numerous problems with it including a cracked panel just below the back window which is another common problem with the model and Ford will not fix. Sounds like I am in for a nightmare with this latest problem. From what I am reading there are no parts until November. Ford should pay for a rental for the time without the car then.
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