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Important note: The pinion rotates MUCH faster than the wheels: 3.73 times faster, if the gear ratio is 3.73. For that reason, failing pinion bearing(s) pose a more immediate concern than axle bearings. Replacing pinion bearings is tricky for the novice. They establish the tooth contact...

Ignoring It......... Regarding noise caused by pinion or ring gear bearings: A failing pinion bearing will not last a long time, ring gear (differential side bearings) will grumble much longer before giving out, but in EITHER event, failure of the bearings supporting the gears results in a...

Some Causes........ Starting up front: If the torque converter clutch (TCC) fails to engage, or locks in engagement, or becomes inconsistent, the "O/D OFF" light is made to blink as a warning. One can diagnose this problem fairly consistently by observing 2 things: first, at constant road...

Noise From the Rear Gear noise usually resembles a whine, like a hum, which often is present only when the vehicle is under load, like pulling forward at speed. Such noise often is less, or gone, when coasting. Axle bearings rarely produce a humming sound, but rather a lower-pitched sound...

Leaky Hose Tracing Sometimes, since liquids leaking somewhere follow a path to an appropriate low spot along their routing, it is exceedingly tedious to find the actual leak location. Attest: leaking residence ceilings, roofing leaks can follow underlayment many feet before appearing below...

Speedy Alternators Gosh, if it seems a noise showed up pretty soon after an alternator is replaced, something else suddenly going haywire and making noise seems highly coincidental, no? First, look for the serpentine belt tracking improperly on one of it's pulleys. Often, installation allows...

If you have introduced a vacuum leak by some means (cracked hose, for example), that fact will "confuse" the computer by making it think air is entering the engine via the throttle plate. This should cause the opposite effect: idle speed tries to increase instead of decrease. imp

Auto Hubs There are no auto hubs on '04 Explorer 4X4. The front axles and driveshaft rotate whenever the vehicle is moving. The reason for that is the clutch within the transfer case which engages power to the front driveshaft must be able to provide nearly instantaneous response in bringing...

Security Key It is my understanding that failing to ID the key results in no response at all regarding the "start" function. His engine cranks, but will not start. I think this indicates his key is being "recognized". I could be wrong. imp

Curious: What does "reprogram the security" mean? If the battery were disconnected first, then the engine swapped out, all wiring put back where it belongs, how could PCM know anything about this? imp

Live on a gravel road, 3 miles off pavement. Now & then, a small pebble lodges between splash shield and rotor, makes a hell of a scraping noise awhile, then eventually stops, within a few miles, as I guess either the stone is ground away, or falls out. Still, this is proly an unusual noise...

How about consulting the Ford Shop Manual?? imp

Easy & Quick! Sure! Remove the front driveshaft and throw it in the cargo hold! This will not disrupt signals to the system regarding speed comparison between front and rear axles. If "slippage" occurs, the front-drive clutch will engage, in "4X4 AUTO", but no power will be sent to the...

Whaddaya Got? Do you have a code reader? If so, refer to the book and find out if: there is only one code being generated, or more than one. Second, if always the same one, decide whether you feel it represents a serious enough fault (like cyl. misfire) which could be a threat to the engine...

What year is it? The computer strives to maintain idle rpm constant no matter what; that's why there is an Idle Speed Control, to allow this. Seems doubtful that changing the PCV would cause idle speed change, unless it is grossly incorrectly calibrated. imp

Intention? What is the intent of a computer "reset"? Get rid of trouble codes? Battery disconnect after '96 models probably will not accomplish that (OBD-II compliance). I had a nasty recurring MIL light coming on every week or so, bought a code reader, found it was saying "Left bank...

Computer "Keep-alive" 0.005 amp. is the current required by the computer. A possible current drain to look for might be the airbag auxiliary power supply. imp

Thank you Claus! Lots more here than I could provide. However, my info is from 2004 literature, but I suspect 2003 already used similar means: I am scanning the Ford wiring schematic showing how the "door ajar" switches are wired in. Learned today, they are using a little computer called the...

2 Meanings..... Not bein' sassy, but think you mean "access", but maybe "assess", test them. Wish I could tell you for sure access, used to be door switches were mounted in the front edge of the body's door opening, so the closing door jamb could press the switch, open the light circuit...

Leaving 'em on...... Shipwreck, check this out, too: Leave a door ajar, so that the interior lights are on, then pretend you forgot, and walked away for the night. The lights will be turned off automatically, after a preset time, which is something like 5 or 10 minutes, in order to prevent a...

As a guess, no. Another thing: Are any of the doors damaged, or not closing securely, such that a false "open" signal is being generated? If yes, the tightness of the door latch system might eliminate the "door ajar". Just a thought. imp

Welcome! Nice color! Am wondering if Explorers are assembled down under, or shipped from here? Guess there should be quite a large market for such useful and dependable vehicles in your country, it would not be surprising if they are built there. imp

Problems? Hi, and welcome! What sort of problems? imp

Basics are the SAme Hello & welcome! I am fortunate enough to have gotten into the technical aspects of EFI 20 years ago and taught classes involving the subject. One thing which seemed to escape everyone: The basics are unchanged. That is, the engine needs air, fuel, and ignition in order...

Changing Fluids and Filters Oil and oil filter- job gets less messy the more times you do it, used engine oil is nasty stuff and it stinks! Fuel filter- was a lot easier in the old days, when little or no pressure was present in it. Fuel injected systems can spray fuel dangerously, if...

Ah, Chicago! Hi, and welcome! Grew up in suburb of Chi., Berwyn. 30 years there before trying the "desert experiment", Nevada. Bugged me how badly and quickly cars rusted out in Northern Illinois, but I have noted the Explorers do not seem to have as bad a problem in that respect as some...

Computer Control? A greater part of overall function of each year's new vehicles is computer monotored or controlled anyway, so, why would an entire electric-powered car computer controlled be considered too complex? I thought everyone's fear of "computer control" had slowly dissipated...

Hello! New here, recently bought my 3rd. Explorer, had '96, then '99, now '04. Retired now, but lifetime spent doing technical things, is it OK to ask a lot of questions, without searching past threads for similar ones? I am on IP mandated dial-up service, one provider available here (rural...

Check Fluid Level? 2004 Explorer, build tag transmission code "V", has no means of checking fluid level. How is this accomplished? Thanks. imp