'94 ford explorer limited with some probs

[Fordman6996]

Hello Every one!

I have a '94 Explorer Limited 4x4 with a 4.0 L V6,
the problems I'm having are that if I drive my car so it reaches operating temperature then let it sit for a while, when I go back to start it.. it Idles really rough I look at my voltage gage and its on the low side my over head compass and temp gage flickers bright to dim.. What could be causing it?.. I put in a new mass air flow sensor and new air filter thinking that was the prob and it still does it.. Now today it barely starts I'm thinking its the alternator. also when I'm driving it and I pull up to a stop light my voltage gauge goes down my over head counsel flickers but if I raise the rpms a bit it doesn't do it.. I'm going to put a new alternator on it see if that helps.. but I still wonder why it idles rought could that because of the alternator? Also my A/C makes this funny sound its like a rattling noise, when I shut it off it doesn't make it so I know its the A/C. It works fine and all just makes that annoying rattling sound. best to describe it as if you ever had a heat sheild on your catyletic converter come loose, Also when I was changing my oil last weekend I noticed when I was putting oil in.. my upper radiator hose was sucked flat.. I don't know whats cuasing this either? Hopefully you guys could help. thanks

 

[mrboyle]

It sounds like the alternator is failing. The rough idle is due to the voltage in the battery being to low to properly run the fuel injection. As for the radiator hose being sucked flat, you have a bad radiator cap.

 

[Dre]

might not be alternator......... if A/C gives you trouble (noise) than it might be the compressor that's failing and that's what causes unnecessary strain...... coul be. Did you put new alternator?

 

[Iggy flywheel]

alt

I would give the belt tensioner a good look to while you. It might be comin apart mine was toast with only 60k. You might check the positive battery cable too there have been trouble with them can do a search on site for it.

 

[Sschultz]

I have the same problem with mine. I already replaced the battery with no change. But I don't have the A/C noises. I would recomend a new Alt.

 

[Fordman6996]

still haveing probs

Hello every one,
I did some trouble shooting, I took my alternator off and went and had it tested, Its charging good and the regulator was working good, I think I also figured out why my a/c is making the noise as mr boyle pointed out look for redish brown dust on the clutch on the compressor, well there is and I'm thinking my clutch is going out, as for the battery cables I cleaned them when I installed the new battery. the belt tightner seems to be good I recently put a new belt on, but wednesday its going into the Ford dealership, Hopefully they know why its doing it. thanks for helping me every one keep the advice coming, I'll get it fixed sooner or later

 

[TPLYNCH]

Have you replaced the battery cables. They have a tendency to rot on the inside. They may look good, but internally they are shot and that causes elictrical problems. If you don't know how old they are, I'd suggest replacing them. It's an easy fix for a problem that causes all sorts of trouble.