1996 Ford Explorer 4x4 problems

[nonmechanic33]

Hi All,

I'm new here, and just posting a quick question (maybe!). I have a 96 6 cylinder Explorer that is having some issues, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them, and if so what they needed to do to fix it.
A few months back it started running rough, misfiring, hesitating. I also noticed it was going through coolant fluid quickly, and after driving up a steep hill for a few miles, it would dump out antifreeze from the overflow(however, the temp gauge for the engine never goes above halfway). Also, I am getting horrible gas mileage, no more than 10mpg. Today, it started doing some really weird stuff. My CD player volume would lower itself (the volume stayed the same, as in: I had it at number 20, and it stayed at 20 but the volume went down), and then turn back up, and my drivers side door would not shut. I finally got the door to shut but then the locks (electronic) would not unlock. I then got the locks to open after a bit.
My question is, could this all be related, to some kind of computer issue or an electronic issue?
I'm going to have to take it to a mechanic, because I sure am not one (obviously haha) but I was just hoping that someone else had encountered something akin to this and could point me in the right direction so I could at least have some idea what needs done.
Thank you in advance.

 

[J_C]

All those things can't be related so I'd focus on what monetary value you place on the vehicle because it could cost more to fix all that at a mechanic than it's worth once fixed. How many miles on it? How much rust?

Try pulling the trouble codes. If you don't have a tool you can get Autozone and a few other auto parts places to pull them for you for free. Dumping out fluid may just mean it was overfilled. Gas mileage will go up once the primary problem (like a bad gasket) is fixed and it runs smooth again.

Drivers side door may have bent hinges or need realigned and then the lock may work better, or it could be an internal linkage problem or broken latch spring.

Radio, I'd pull one at a junk yard. You need a special tool or bent pieces of coat hanger to get the radio out. Google will find instructions on that.

 

[nonmechanic33]

All those things can't be related so I'd focus on what monetary value you place on the vehicle because it could cost more to fix all that at a mechanic than it's worth once fixed. How many miles on it? How much rust?

Try pulling the trouble codes. If you don't have a tool you can get Autozone and a few other auto parts places to pull them for you for free. Dumping out fluid may just mean it was overfilled. Gas mileage will go up once the primary problem (like a bad gasket) is fixed and it runs smooth again.

Drivers side door may have bent hinges or need realigned and then the lock may work better, or it could be an internal linkage problem or broken latch spring.

Radio, I'd pull one at a junk yard. You need a special tool or bent pieces of coat hanger to get the radio out. Google will find instructions on that.

Thanks for the reply, J_C. I bought the vehicle over a year ago for only $900, so I don't place much value in it, to be honest. It's an Eddie Bauer edition, so it has all kinds of bells and whistles that I don't really use/need. It has around 226,000 miles on it. I'd be willing to put about $500 bucks into repairs.
I will go to Auto Zone today and have them run codes, see what that nets me. One thing I forgot to mention is that in the last week I also notice a fairly strong smell of antifreeze when I drive it. Not sure what that is about either. After reading through some of the posts here yesterday, I have to wonder if part of this may be the fuel injectors or radiator fluid leaking into the engine somehow.

 

[J_C]

I hate to say it but at 226K I wouldn't even take it to a mechanic. The least expensive probability is a head gasket leak which alone is usually over $700.

I'd put some antifreeze stop-leak in it and see if that helps, then drive it for a while IF it does, and put it up for sale, ask a junkyard what they'll offer, and/or think about whether you're willing to part it out to sell individual parts.