kls490
Member
- Joined
- July 23, 2014
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer Eddie Bauer
Good evening everyone,
First time posting here and should also mention I'm no tech whiz when it comes to auto problems, or even understanding a lot of the abbreviated terms used within the various sub-forums. (Age and declining health have taken their toll, unfortunately). I wasn't really sure just WHERE to post my inquiry as it involves several issues, and I'm uncertain if they are all separate problems or they may be inter-related somehow. My apologies if I posted in the wrong place.
Description of intermittent problems occurring:
1. Ignition switch: Since April 2014, I've had about 8 occasions when turning off the ignition and removing the key - the engine continues running. I have to partially re-insert the tip of the key and slightly jiggle the switch once to get engine shutdown. (This seems to indicate some kind of "short" in the switch to me).
2. Vehicle start-up: (2A) - When starting the vehicle, the engine may just barely turn over, but not start. On a 2nd attempt, the engine turnover will still be sluggish, but usually starts-up.
(2B) - On other occasions, the engine will turn over normally, but takes too long to make a "shaking" start. It's as if the engine is struggling/sputtering to crank-up.
- The starting problem described in 2B above had first surfaced in April 2014. In June 2014 (about 2 weeks after one episode), a computer diagnostic was done, but the logs showed absolutely nothing at all. The mechanic felt the plugs and wires needed to be replaced since they had never been changed before. (I was also told that the Explorer's computer does NOT retain logs for very long, nor have I been able to find any info as to just HOW LONG the system actually does retain data). All spark plugs & wires were then replaced, and the starting issue seemed resolved, until it occurred again in late November 2014.
- The above issues have occurred about 4 times since November 2014.
- They've occurred both when first starting the Explorer on a given day and also after having driven somewhere, shut the engine off, then starting the vehicle again.
- Outside air temperatures have been between 28 - 67 degrees F, when these issues have occurred.
- Oftentimes, after the engine is running, it seems (to me) the exhaust fumes are too rich.
3. Fuel gauge: Two times since mid-January 2015, when starting the vehicle up for the first time of the day, the fuel gauge needle initially goes up to where it should be, but then suddenly drops to below "E." The message center display on dash panel is unable to display the usual number of miles remaining or the "Computing miles" message. After turning off the engine and restarting it, the fuel gauge and message center display return to normal.
4. Message Center - "Door Ajar warning": Intermittent issue with the dash panel's Message Center displaying the "Door Ajar" warning and audio warning. This occurs very frequently when outside temperatures are above 75 degrees F. In the colder months, it rarely happens. All doors are always closed, including the rear top/bottom cargo door/window. Have to keep pressing the [RESET] button. Also, when this event happens, the automatic door-locking system does not function as it should when the vehicle starts moving.
5. "Grating/grinding" sound - front of vehicle: Since early January 2015 (after leaving a full-service car wash), I've been hearing a sort of low grating/grinding-type noise coming from the front of the vehicle (driver's side; not sure if it's noticeable on passenger side). ** [NOTE]: As I was leaving the car wash & began braking to stop for passing traffic, there was a very strong vibration/shuttering of the entire vehicle felt and heard, until the Explorer came to a stop. This has not happened since. It was after this when the grating/grinding sound began being noticed.
The sound is noticeable when driving between approximately 5 mph - 28 mph, both with the transmission in gear or in neutral & allowed to just coast along.
The noise is a steady sound when driving in the aforementioned speed range - no change in intensity (loudness) is noted.
When the speed passes about 28 mph, the sound is not noticed. (I'm unable to tell if the sound is present when making a right/left turn or when braking). No changes have been noted in the vehicle's braking or maneuvering.
Thank you for your time, review, and any information! :scratch:
First time posting here and should also mention I'm no tech whiz when it comes to auto problems, or even understanding a lot of the abbreviated terms used within the various sub-forums. (Age and declining health have taken their toll, unfortunately). I wasn't really sure just WHERE to post my inquiry as it involves several issues, and I'm uncertain if they are all separate problems or they may be inter-related somehow. My apologies if I posted in the wrong place.
Description of intermittent problems occurring:
1. Ignition switch: Since April 2014, I've had about 8 occasions when turning off the ignition and removing the key - the engine continues running. I have to partially re-insert the tip of the key and slightly jiggle the switch once to get engine shutdown. (This seems to indicate some kind of "short" in the switch to me).
2. Vehicle start-up: (2A) - When starting the vehicle, the engine may just barely turn over, but not start. On a 2nd attempt, the engine turnover will still be sluggish, but usually starts-up.
(2B) - On other occasions, the engine will turn over normally, but takes too long to make a "shaking" start. It's as if the engine is struggling/sputtering to crank-up.
- The starting problem described in 2B above had first surfaced in April 2014. In June 2014 (about 2 weeks after one episode), a computer diagnostic was done, but the logs showed absolutely nothing at all. The mechanic felt the plugs and wires needed to be replaced since they had never been changed before. (I was also told that the Explorer's computer does NOT retain logs for very long, nor have I been able to find any info as to just HOW LONG the system actually does retain data). All spark plugs & wires were then replaced, and the starting issue seemed resolved, until it occurred again in late November 2014.
- The above issues have occurred about 4 times since November 2014.
- They've occurred both when first starting the Explorer on a given day and also after having driven somewhere, shut the engine off, then starting the vehicle again.
- Outside air temperatures have been between 28 - 67 degrees F, when these issues have occurred.
- Oftentimes, after the engine is running, it seems (to me) the exhaust fumes are too rich.
3. Fuel gauge: Two times since mid-January 2015, when starting the vehicle up for the first time of the day, the fuel gauge needle initially goes up to where it should be, but then suddenly drops to below "E." The message center display on dash panel is unable to display the usual number of miles remaining or the "Computing miles" message. After turning off the engine and restarting it, the fuel gauge and message center display return to normal.
4. Message Center - "Door Ajar warning": Intermittent issue with the dash panel's Message Center displaying the "Door Ajar" warning and audio warning. This occurs very frequently when outside temperatures are above 75 degrees F. In the colder months, it rarely happens. All doors are always closed, including the rear top/bottom cargo door/window. Have to keep pressing the [RESET] button. Also, when this event happens, the automatic door-locking system does not function as it should when the vehicle starts moving.
5. "Grating/grinding" sound - front of vehicle: Since early January 2015 (after leaving a full-service car wash), I've been hearing a sort of low grating/grinding-type noise coming from the front of the vehicle (driver's side; not sure if it's noticeable on passenger side). ** [NOTE]: As I was leaving the car wash & began braking to stop for passing traffic, there was a very strong vibration/shuttering of the entire vehicle felt and heard, until the Explorer came to a stop. This has not happened since. It was after this when the grating/grinding sound began being noticed.
The sound is noticeable when driving between approximately 5 mph - 28 mph, both with the transmission in gear or in neutral & allowed to just coast along.
The noise is a steady sound when driving in the aforementioned speed range - no change in intensity (loudness) is noted.
When the speed passes about 28 mph, the sound is not noticed. (I'm unable to tell if the sound is present when making a right/left turn or when braking). No changes have been noted in the vehicle's braking or maneuvering.
Thank you for your time, review, and any information! :scratch:
