1997 Ford Explorer Problems?

OK, if you actually scroll all the way down past the first answer, here's mine:

My first Explorer was a 1994. I drove that thing for 11 years all over the great U.S.A. for over 550,000 miles until I blew a head gasket. I sold it to a mechanic friend for a few bucks and I still see it around town 2 years later.

My current Explorer is a 2002 which I bought in 2004.

The only big expense I've had is repairing the A/C ($700). I also had to replace the brake sensor light for around $30.

I am so satisfied with my Explorers that I can't imagine buying anything else even though I hate the local Ford dealership service personnel

Ford Explorer Problems

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1997 Ford Explorer Problems?

For all 1997 Ford Explorer owners: have you experienced any problems (major or minor) with your 1997 ford explorer? I might be purchasing one soon and would appreciate any advice or warnings and overall impressions of the vehicle. Thank you.

I don't own a 1997 Explorer but I do own a 1992 and a 2003. Our 1992 has 180 thousand miles on it and it doesn't use a drop of oil. It has been a great vehicle. Our 2003 had some bugs that needed worked out on it but it was still under warranty and now it is perfect. Just a little advice....we have leather in one and cloth in the other and the cloth one is much more comfortable! I wish I would have gotten cloth again. By any means, I love my Explorer!

I have about 280k miles on my 1992 Explorer. How long will it last? It has never had a tune-up. The plugs won't come out.. they are rusted to the block. What should do?

A: Well the truck has lasted long enough. If you don't drive the truck everyday, try spraying bust a nut on it. That is the name of the product. Then use an impact gun on the plugs. if it breaks, you will have to carefully drill them out. DO NOT drill out the threads or you will have to replace the heads.

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2000 Ford Explorer

Brake System Other Happens always Always

Q: ABS light illuminated on dash instrument cluster, no noises from brakes, all ABS fuses O.K., Occured while driving down highway w/ cruise on. Brakes have no ABS pulse under breaking. Any ideas?

A: Check brake lights...

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1999 Ford Explorer

Windows / Glass Won't Start Happens always Always

Q: the rear window wiper motor does not turn on.

A: 98/99 Explorer had a problem with rear wipers from day one--some would not come on at all and some would come on by themselves--Motor replacement is most likely the cure, but when you replace rear motor on that vehicle you MUST replace rear arm and blade.Take your vehicle ID number to your local FORD dealer and let them check to see if any recalls are open on it. You might get lucky.

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1998 Ford Explorer

Heating / Cooling System Malfunction Not applicable Not applicable

Q: I have a 1998 Ford Explorer and my CHECK ENGINE light is always on. I also noticed that my heater blows LUKE WARM. I would think it blow HOTTER than that. I even let the ENGINE run for a while but my heater is still LUKE WARM. ALSO my TEMP GAUGE on the dash is always on cold. It never moves. Is all this related and if so, what could be the trouble THEMOSTAT or HEATING CORE????or something else..thanx plz reply by email: luckymic22@aol.com

A: Thermostat needs replacing. Ed

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1998 Ford Explorer

Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens sometimes Not applicable

Q: A few weeks ago my power windows stopped working on my 1998 Explorer.

At the same time, the 4WD HI & 4WD LO lights on the dash would flash 6 times and repeat every 60 seconds.

The next day, the windows started working and the lights stopped flashing. Then it started all over again. Every day or two it happens again. Please help.

1998 Ford Explorer, 6 cyl 4.0 SOHC

vin 1FMZU34E8WUB06812

Jack Waldrop

jwaldrop@mapl.net

A: Could be a possible short in the electrical system (a wire being grounded or crossing another wire) or maybe just a faulty fuse. Try replacing the fuse used for the power windows and see if that helps, if not drop me a line. nwaballer24@yahoo.com

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1998 Ford Explorer

Engine Tuning Not applicable Not applicable

Q: I've read that you should disconnect the battery every so often to clear the performance memory of the computer- get better performance. Is this true for the '98 SOHC as well? If so, how do I do it?

A: This is true. However, the motor may run sluggishly for the first couple of miles while the ECM is resetting itself. To do this, disconnect the negative battery cable for about 30 seconds to a minute. Reconnect it then run the motor for about 2 or 3 miles in stop and go type driving.

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1997 Ford Explorer

Engine Making Noise Happens always Always

Q: Are camshaft problems common in the 4.0 SOHC engine??

A: Yes it is... Change the tensioner right and left side. Also a new guide is req for both the right left hand side.

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1997 Ford Explorer

All Part Groups Malfunction When driving When warm

Q: The 4 wheel drive indicator light flashes three times periodically and at low speeds it sounds as if the 4 wheel drive is being engaged. Sound is similar to driving in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement.

A: First check that the switch may be loose... or perhaps the solenoid connection is damp inside... Ed

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1997 Ford Explorer

Engine Malfunction Happens always Always

Q: The check engine light is on and stays on. I recently had the O2 sensor replaced from the last time the light came/stayed on. Is there a procedure to find codes to determine what is wrong?

A: It's hard to tell exactly what's wrong when a check engine light comes on. This light comes on when any of the various engine sensors are not feeling well. If you got a new O2 sensor then check the map sensor and the EGR valve. It could even be that you haven't changed the air filter in a while. The map sensor freaks out when an air filter is clogged. Sometimes a temperature sensor is to blame. Also some systems have to have the codes cleared after replacing a part like the O2 sensor you changed. If you can get your hands on one of those hand held computers, you can plug in to see a list of codes which correspond with trouble codes sent by the various sensors. Also,I've had people tell me just to disconnect the battery for about a day or so then plug it back up and drive it with the lights on. This has helped some people, but often there's more to it than that.

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1997 Ford Explorer

Heating / Cooling System Malfunction When driving When warm

Q: It seems the climate control gets confused from time to time. The real problem has just started. When the vent is activated even when the temp control is set to 60 degrees, very hot air blows out. Probably not related, but the "key in the ignition" alert does not sound anymore and it seems that these two problems started about the same time.

Thanks in advance for any answer you can supply

Andy Maglione

andym@med.unc.edu

A: I personally do not see the relationship between the two. Sounds like a mixing door is sticky. Ed

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1997 Ford Explorer

Engine Won't Start When starting Not applicable

Q: I stopped my ford and now it will not start again. You can turn the key and hear the starter put there is not compression in the engine. Is this the camshaft problem that the ford explorer has? Do you know if there is a recall on this item from ford. The dealership where are car is said that it could be and they want to replace the engine and they want us to pay $$$ for it. If it is a recall shouldn't ford cover this?

A: Search the internet for recalls. Try lemonaide cars.com

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1997 Ford Explorer

Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Happens always Always

Q: power windows, map lights,front and rear window wipers and door chimes operate for only 5 to 10 minutes when #25 fuse is removed and after 10 seconds it is replaced. After approx 10 minutes you will hear a click under the dash and then none of the above items will operate untill #25 fuse is removed and replaced again. This keeps repeating.

A: These use a sophisticated module for controls. They are not cheap. Diagnosis is very detailed. You will need to buy a factory repair manual ($100-ish), alldata subscription ($25), plus diagnostic equipment to repair. Or have shop diagnose problem. Then you can repair at your own discretion.

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1997 Ford Explorer

Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When driving When warm

Q: When driving in normal conditions the 4WD light and 4 low lights in the dash blink 6 times. This happens every 2 minutes or so. I manually switched into 4 low and it didn't seem to change the gear ratio so I am assuming that I also no longer have 4WD at all, it is hard to tell on dry pavement. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks Brian

A: It sounds like there's an issue with the electronic cicuit that actuates the 4 wheel drive. The blinking is most likely a code (similar to the check engine light codes). Call up the service dept. of your local dealer and ask them what the six flashes means, I think you'll find the actuators done.

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1997 Ford Explorer

Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Happens always Always

Q: Check engine light comes on about 24 hrs. after filling fuel tank.

A: It could be many things but i would suspect that a 02 sensor is causing the light to come on,Have the vechiles computer scanned for codes.

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1997 Ford Explorer

Fuel System Malfunction When stopped Always

Q: when idleing the RPM's drop down low and almost stalls and then jumps back up.

A: hey. i have a 92 cadillac seville. when im idleing, the rpm drops very low as if my car wants to lose power. while im driving at low speeds from about 10-40, the car is also doing the same. its like im losing power while im driving for a split second and then picks backs up. but it does it continually. its kind of like a chug or something.

1996 Ford Explorer

Engine Malfunction Happens sometimes Always

Q: I have a 1996 Ford Explorer with a 6 cylinder, 4.0 liter engine with 105,000 miles on it. The check engine light has been coming on intermittently so I checked the code reader and the computer gave me a code of p1507 which is an idle air control underspeed error. What do you think would be causing this problem?? What can I do to fix it?? Thanks!!!!

1997 explorer window problems

I have a 97 explorer that has a cooling system problem. When it gets warm the top radiator hoes collapsed and the thermostat make a loud slamming shut sound. It has srayed coolant out of the cap. I changed the cap, three times changes to a different thermostat, changed the water pump, removed any found air in the system. New coolant. It dont come to temp sitting in idol and fluctuates while driving. Does not come to good hot heat. Im stumped and need to get it fixed. Its my only ride!

Any ideas?

1997 explorer. Tranny does NOT slip and shifts smooth. But on occasion, not ofton, it will just go into nautral while driving. I turn the key off, wait a couple of min. start it back up and it works fine.

Starts cold, but when it gets to normal operating temperature at about 20 minutes it surges a couple of times and then dies and won't restart until it is cold.. Any ideas are appreciated!

Check consumer rreport used cars. It will tell you all the problems with the car and rate how good it is. I owned one , bought it new, for 3 years. I would not buy another, had transmission problems.