Ask the Car People.SM


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

    

Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.

Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 605 of 639

#6040 of 6385 You can drive without the gear shift level by wuppa

Apr 07, 2008 (10:17 am)

I have 2004 Ford Explorer XLT. Toward the end of year 2007 my gear shift level just broke off, but I am driving around the car without any problems. It might be inconvenient for some, but basically what you have to do is have a mechanic pull off the covering on the steering column, and remove the broken gear shift level. You can then manually push forward and pull backward on the level on the right side of the steering column with your thumb and index finger. I don't find it that hard, but beats not being able to drive at all. I was told that there is no replaceable parts on the steering column except the gear shift level. In regard to not being able to pull out the keys, there is little metal piece that you can lightly depress with your finger and you should be able to pull the key out. Hope this helps for anyone frustrated with it.

#6041 of 6385 Re: You can drive without the gear shift level [wuppa] by nvbanker

Apr 07, 2008 (3:58 pm)

Replying to: wuppa (Apr 07, 2008 10:17 am)
wow...that is quite the 'workaround'. Not sure I could be satisfied with that fix, but I applaud your ingenuity.

#6042 of 6385 Emission Problem in '02 Explorer?? by frangeb

Apr 07, 2008 (4:45 pm)

I have a 4-door, 6 cyl. '02 Explorer with about 48,000 miles on it. On a recent trip a warning light came on on the panel saying "Service Engine Soon". The only obvious symptom of trouble was that the engine would stumble like it was going to stall when I slowed down for a stop sign. However, it never did actually stall and there were no other trouble signs. I drove another 300 miles or so in getting home with no problem . I took the Explorer to a reliable independent repair shop that did an electronic diagnosis and came up with a Code P1151 (if I'm reading the service invoice correctly) which corresponded to "unmetered air", an air leak, at the intake plenum (again, if I'm reading the invoice correctly). The service technician was not sure of his interpretation of the code.
 
Has anyone had a similar experience? What was the final diagnosis and how much did it cost to fix it?

#6043 of 6385 2004 Ford Explorer XLT instrument panel lights flickering by gator_fan

Apr 08, 2008 (7:12 pm)

The instrument panel lights on my '04 Expl recently started to flicker - literally off... on...off/on....off....off....off... now back on. During this madness, the headlights are fully operable - no issue. CD player continues playing while dash lights are off - no issue. The clock on the CD player remains shining bright. Battery - brand new. I didn't try manually altering the dash panel lights while they were off, but works fine while they're on.
 
Since nothing is dim or has been dimming, and seemingly "all" of the other electrical components are working, I can't figure out if it really is an alternator problem. Any suggestions?

#6044 of 6385 ford explorer 1997 no first gear by egyptgerry

Apr 09, 2008 (1:00 am)

Hi there ,got a 97 ford explorer and it suddenly has no bottom gear,i can drive it in 2 and drive but if i start in drive nothing happens just a faint noise from the box,any ideas Guys

#6045 of 6385 Re: 2004 Ford Explorer XLT instrument panel lights flickering [gator_fan] by nvbanker

Apr 09, 2008 (7:26 am)

Replying to: gator_fan (Apr 08, 2008 7:12 pm)
It's not a systemic problem, it's a problem isolated to your panel lights. The fix, however, isn't cheap nor easy. The panel will probably need replacement. The only other possibility is a faulty reostat on the dimmer for the panel lights. That would be easier. This is a very very rare problem, but I'm sure that's not comforting, sadly.

#6046 of 6385 Re: Don't buy an Explorer [ginamillar2000] by nvbanker

Apr 09, 2008 (7:28 am)

Replying to: ginamillar2000 (Nov 11, 2007 10:19 am)
Be sure an check the Honda Pilot Maintenance & Repair board, and take note of the people accessing their state's Lemon Laws regarding their PIlots......you may need to do the same.

#6047 of 6385 service engine soon light(2002 ford explorer) by cathil

Apr 20, 2008 (8:07 am)

Hi I have a 2002 explorer, the service engine soon light came on and I hear a rattling noise maybe coming from under the hood, also its seems to be running a little jerky.
thanks

#6048 of 6385 Re: service engine soon light(2002 ford explorer) [cathil] by egyptgerry

Apr 21, 2008 (12:34 am)

Replying to: cathil (Apr 20, 2008 8:07 am)
It sounds like you need to get it into a service shop,Bye the way do people ever check the oil and water levels these days?The rattle you have ?well the Explorer has a timing chain but they dont give trouble on the newer ones,Have you looked under the hood to see if you can spot the rattle,Running Jerky well that can be a h/t lead braking down i know on the early Explorer 97/98 changing the spark plugs was like Night Mare on Elm Street.I honestly think that they where fitted before the Engine was into the car,

#6049 of 6385 rough Running 2003 Explorer by jmkuchen

Apr 21, 2008 (8:15 am)

I have a 2003 Explorer (87,000miles). there are times that it will run extremely rough, it is almost like is will stall out. It does this while driving and while idling. It is the worst when I am sitting at a stop sign or light. The check engine soon light comes on and off. some days it is on and others it is off. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this. I have taken it and had it put on the computer. Usually it says system to lean, I have replaced 2 O2 sensors, spark plugs and wires, crank shaft sensor.

Messages Page 605 of 639

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement