I just noticed something with my 2001 SOHC 4-liter -- it won't rev above 3000 RPM if it's not in gear -- such as, when parked, or in the driveway. It revs right up to 3000, but hits a rev limiter of some kind if not in gear. (I never noticed that before on any others). But, if I put it in drive and go, it'll rev up to 5500 RPM without any problem (I only tried it on level ground, and just can't go any faster on this stretch of road).
With the Explorers, you need to be sure EVERYTHING is as it's supposed to be -- doors closed, seat belts on, weight on the seat, etc. They do spooky things, too...
- I know of weird things like, the radio will cut out (for no obvious reason) while driving, and shifting from drive to neutral and back to drive, and the radio would come right back on. Did it every now and then. Don't know why. Had that in my 99 SOHC 4wd.
- I know that the wipers would make one intermittent pass on its own schedule when in drive, and for a while I thought it was only when I made a right-turn such as pulling forward and to the right out of a parking spot. Again for no apparent reason, periodically, one of the other two 4-doors.
I remember test-driving a 2000 or so Mountaineer and I started it up and the wipers made a pass after about 20 seconds (for no reason). I shut it off and walked away from it. I don't need this spooky stuff.
- And I know there's some kind of relay or mechanical wiring device right above the driver's head in the headliner that clicks (like a micro reed-relay sound) but I never tore it apart to find it - and I didn't see anything in the wiring diagram at that area. It was just annoying. It would just go on (click) and off (click). So, I turned the radio up.
Good luck.
I'm trying to close up the rear end and put new rear brakes on my 2001 Sport tonight. Front brakes tomorrow. Got 1500 miles to go this weekend with it.