1998 XLT Questions-General and Electrical

[BigVicXLT]

Hi All,

I just purchased a 1998 XLT AWD 5.0 with 94K+ miles for my wife (she wrecked her 1992. ), and have a few general questions and a couple specific ones. I have changed the oil and oil filter (Mobil 1 Synthetic and Motocraft oil filter). Vehicle runs great.

Now, my questions:

1) Any known issues (i.e. expensive) with this vehicle make/model...things to do or not do.

2) The third (upper) brake light is not working...how the hell do you get to the bulb

3) One of the dash lights is out (near the fuel gauge)...any easy way to change that?

4) Where is the PCV valve? Can't find it.


Any other tips, suggestions, comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Howard]

Congrats hope you like it. To answer questions:
1) As far as I know only the tranny is weak (same as your 92) but try a search.
2) On these this is a high voltage light and my book says dealer only.(you have to remove the entire back panel from the door)
3) You might be able to reach from underneath but probably have to drop out the dash panel.
4) Acording to Haynes on the 5.0 its at the rear of the intake manifold.

Other tips etc
Might be a good idea to change the atf in the tranny and change the filter. With the milage check the bushes and rubber brake lines/hoses and general rubber components.

 

[yob_yeknom]

1) No, your tranny is much better than the one you had in the '92. The tranny on the V8's are a completely different tranny and much stronger.
2) If that light is like mine, it is a neon? light. It has stickers all over the back of it (very large) that says don't mess with it due to high voltage. Very expensive, and you do have to take off the back panel. Pull out all the push in clips, remove the inside pull handle and then there is a screw inside where the lock thing pushes down. (if I remember correctly)
3)Easy? No. You have to remove a lot of stuff. Radio bezel, plastic piece under the steering wheel above the pedals, metal piece behind it, then the plastic piece around the instrument cluster. PITA!

 

[BigVicXLT]

Hey, thanks for the reply(s)

2) As far as I can tell, there are no stickers I can see...hmmm, can't imagine Ford using a different third brake light than yours. It's real long and tapered above the rear hatch.

This is an issue, as I don't think it will pass Delaware inspection without that light...off to my mechanic (he's GREAT), and let him replace that dash bulb too ...dash bulb=$1.00...labor to install dash bulb=$35.00 ... lol.

Thanks all for your help

 

[Robert]

Your third brake lights are different. From '95-'97 Ford used a neon (or florescent) light. Starting in '98 Ford started using an LED element light. They are supposed to be more reliable than the previous generation lights.

 

[BigVicXLT]

Great...any info/links on how to fix/change this?...the owners manual says nothing, and I'm finding little information on the web ...any info. appreciated.

Thanks,
Vic

 

[Robert]

Unfortunately (for you) my procedures are for a '97. If they are similar, it involves drilling out 7 1/4" rivets and removing the trim around the light. My '97 uses a ballast that is located inside the rear hatch that can also fail. I don't think the LED systems have a ballast since I think it is for neon/florescent type lights.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Originally posted by BigVicXLT
...dash bulb=$1.00...labor to install dash bulb=$35.00 ... lol.

For a shop, that's not bad. It'll definitely take long enough to do it to make the labor charge right. But the bulb costs more than $1. It's a special bulb from Ford. But you could do it yourself and save the $35.