bostonphotoguy
New Member
- Joined
- April 28, 2005
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Boston, MA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Explorer Limited
- Callsign
- KC1BHO
Hi,
Had my rack and pinion replaced a few weeks ago at a friend's local garage due to rust causing a massive leak. $1200ish including a few other parts. Thanks, Boston-area weather and salty roads (and lack of indoor garaging for many years).
Since getting the car back I've had a few issues and I'm wondering if they're related.
The car no longer seems to know when it is off -- meaning that when I turn it off, remove the key, and open my door, the radio stays on instead of turning off like it used to. The alarm is also randomly sounding -- most often in the middle of the night at newly low outdoor temperatures. (teens and 20s mostly.) [Note: I've already taken apart the driver's side door to get at the door ajar switch and have tested it and it seems to work just fine. Of course, I don't know if it is the issue with the shrunken/broken wires in the door hinge.]
MORE IMPORTANTLY -- I just noticed that the steering no longer locks into place after the car is off and I remove the key. I *think* the steering used to lock. Can anyone please confirm this? 2003 Explorer V8 Limited AWD.
I'm wondering if the two issues may be related as I read in other threads/forums/etc. that the steering lock has to be dealt with (removed, disabled, bypassed, etc.) if an automatic starter is to be installed as otherwise the alarm's "kill switch" doesn't let it start.
Any help/guidance is much appreciated. The mechanic asked me to confirm that the steering wheel used to lock before I bring it back -- and to be honest I'm not 100% sure -- but I *think* it did. That's my primary question for the group. As a close second, if anyone knows if replacing the rack & pinion can lead to the steering wheel lock malfunctioning, and third, if the malfunctioning steering wheel lock is a cause for the alarm to keep getting set off.
Sorry, I know this message is a bit all over the place. Appreciate the help everyone!
Thank you and happy holidays!
Had my rack and pinion replaced a few weeks ago at a friend's local garage due to rust causing a massive leak. $1200ish including a few other parts. Thanks, Boston-area weather and salty roads (and lack of indoor garaging for many years).
Since getting the car back I've had a few issues and I'm wondering if they're related.
The car no longer seems to know when it is off -- meaning that when I turn it off, remove the key, and open my door, the radio stays on instead of turning off like it used to. The alarm is also randomly sounding -- most often in the middle of the night at newly low outdoor temperatures. (teens and 20s mostly.) [Note: I've already taken apart the driver's side door to get at the door ajar switch and have tested it and it seems to work just fine. Of course, I don't know if it is the issue with the shrunken/broken wires in the door hinge.]
MORE IMPORTANTLY -- I just noticed that the steering no longer locks into place after the car is off and I remove the key. I *think* the steering used to lock. Can anyone please confirm this? 2003 Explorer V8 Limited AWD.
I'm wondering if the two issues may be related as I read in other threads/forums/etc. that the steering lock has to be dealt with (removed, disabled, bypassed, etc.) if an automatic starter is to be installed as otherwise the alarm's "kill switch" doesn't let it start.
Any help/guidance is much appreciated. The mechanic asked me to confirm that the steering wheel used to lock before I bring it back -- and to be honest I'm not 100% sure -- but I *think* it did. That's my primary question for the group. As a close second, if anyone knows if replacing the rack & pinion can lead to the steering wheel lock malfunctioning, and third, if the malfunctioning steering wheel lock is a cause for the alarm to keep getting set off.
Sorry, I know this message is a bit all over the place. Appreciate the help everyone!
Thank you and happy holidays!
