'99 Explorer 4x4 System Problems

[mav]

Had a quick question for anyone who can help. I have a '99 Eddie Bauer 4x4 with the 4.0L SOHC engine and a 4.10 rear end. I'm having the same problem with the 4 wheel drive system in the '99 as I did in my old '98. The truck's acceleration is jerky between 20 and 40 miles an hour when the 4x4 system is in AUTO mode. If I switch to 4x4 HIGH the truck accelerates normally. Please let me know if anyone has experienced the same problem. Ford tells me there is no fix for it right now, but they're working on an update to recalibrate the GEM module. They say this will fix the problem. The only catch is the update will not be available for another month or two. That means I'm spending $35,675 so Ford can tell me they know about the problem but don't have a fix yet.

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[briantf]

It's a software update that should be shipped to the dealer on CD-ROM. My wife's 98 XLT has the same problem.

At least it's a known issue! You'd think they'd have cured it by now, I agree.

 

[mav]

I want to get a list of all the 4x4 '98 and '99 Explorer owners and file a complaint with Ford. I'm not spending $35 thousand dollars to have a brand new vehicle that has these kinds of problems. Let me know what you think.

 

[I8ACHEVY]

I have a '99 Sport with the 4.0L SOHC engine and not really felt anything abnormal. What gear is the problem occuring in? and under what circumstances? Also, is it a known problem on ALL 4.0L SOHC trucks? I too have the 4.10 rear.
Thanks
Aris

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Remember...I8ACHEVY

 

[arjay]

I have 98 XL 5 Speed and my mine does the same thing. I can feel the front wheels unlock between 40km and 50km/h. It does it more after the engine and drive train warm up. I will be taking it to the dealer when I get back from holidays. I hope that they do not break anything else when they try to fix this problem. Last time they stripped a bolt on my BBK TB when they did the cruise cable recall.

 

[Woody]

I agree with Mav. I have a 98 Eddie Bauer, 4.0 SOHC, 4:10 rear end, trailer tow. I did not have this problem with my 96. I am taking it to the dealer to have the hood latch recall done tomorrow, and plan to rase hell about the transfer case noise. Any one know when the fix is suposed to be out? Also has any one had problems with the back window blowing out? Mine did in the garage one night. Ford did replace it & paint the tailgate.

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Woody

 

[golby]

My 98 problem was similar, but it wasn't so much jerky, it felt like driving over very small speed humps while accelerating in 2nd or 3rd gear. It too was ok in 4x4 high. In manuals the problem is more noticable but is still there in autos too. My problem was some problem in the transfer case that hadn't allowed for initial wear. Something about the casting flashes? preventing take up. It was fixed in two days at the Home of Ford Australia in Cambellfield Victoria. Mine has been perfect since. Only the transfer case was sent there so nothing was done with the GEM.
I'll see if I can get my local dealer Mechanic to give me some more info.

Regards Paul Golby

[This message has been edited by golby (edited 09-07-1999).]

 

[mav]

When you accelerate it fells like the viscous coupling (the mechanism that causes the truck to transfer power to the front wheels when they lose traction) is slipping and trying to engage four wheel drive. Accelerate at a medium pace, it feels like the drive trail is hesitating. As if the sensor thinks it should engage 4x4 but it doesn't. Go take your truck for a drive. Find a straight road, and leave the truck in AUTO mode. Accelerate at a medium pace from a stand still all the way to 60 MPH. Stop again and put the truck in 4x4 HIGH. Now accelerate again in 4x4 HIGH all the way to 60 MPH. If you have the problem, you will notice a jerkyness in the drivetrain when in AUTO mode. This jerkyness will not be present when the Explorer is in 4x4 HIGH mode. I still want to get a list togather of people that are having this problem with their Explorer. Please email me and let me know. Use Wesley.Ulmer@usaa.com as my email address instead of wulmer@ibm.net, for right now. I am in the process of writing a letter to Ford to voice my displeasure and I want to get as many people behind me as possible. If we all work togather we can really put Ford's feet to the fire!

 

[arjay]

Just got back from a 2000km trip. I noticed that the jerkiness during acceleration is worse now. I looked underneath the car and much to my displeasure, there is a fair amount of fluid leaking from the transfer case. Back to Ford to see what they are going to break when they fix this. Also, does anyone know if the transfer case and the transmission share the same fluid resavoir? Sometimes there is a slight crunch when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. It almost sounds like the syncros are not meching properly.

 

[mav]

Hey GJarrett, what color is your Eddie Bauer Explorer? Mine is Blk/Tan. Arjay I had my Explorer in the shop for a leak also! Cann't remember if it was the transfer case or an oil leak. I'll take a look at the work order from Ford and let you know. GJarrett let me know if you have noticed any vibration in the brake pedal when in gear at a complete stop. Almost like a groaning. You won't notice this behavior when the truck is in park. The dealer said this has happened alot on the '98/'99 Explorers. They have a fix for it. It has something to do with the exaust system. Check around guys, and see if you know any other people with '98/'99 4x4 Explorers.

 

[Woody]

I have my truck(deep wegewood blue) back from the dealer. When I took it in and complained, they said they had not herd of the problem. This is a fairly large dealership. I looked at the work order, and they removed both drive shafts, and both front axles & checked them as OK. They changed fluid in the transfer case & trany. They also ran numerous (4) code checks, all OK. At the bottom, it said they reprogramed the GEM module. All in all, it does'nt do the jerck any more in auto. I HATE AWD, and wish they would go back to 4 weel drive. My son's 99 Ranger works great, and does better mileage. I'm still a for lover tho---- It's better than the others!!!
Woody Seemann
wseemann@ndak.net

 

[Tom Wilk]

I have a 99 Sport, but I haven't noticed any of the vibration or jerky acceleration on mine. I will keep my senses peeled for it though. Perhaps I will run the Auto and 4HI test myself. I'm also going to keep an eye on the bottom of the truck for leaks (I should be under there next week changing the oil anyway).

I would also prefer the old 2WD/4HI/4LO scheme, or at least make "auto" a switchable option. It does work well, but I like to make the 4wd decision myself.

On another note, I've noticed on the 4WD newsgroup that GM also has an auto transfer case that uses clutches to engage the front, similar to Ford's, I think. I know that they don't use the same mfgr, since GM owns at least part of New Process Inc. which is where they get the majority of their transfer cases from. I'll keep a watch to see what they have in the way of troubles.

Another thing I saw the other day in that newsgroup was someone with a GMC truck complaining about the "mystery wipers." I guess that maybe Ford and GM may buy their wiper switches at the same place. Dead Link Removed

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Tom

 

[mav]

Hey everyone,
The GEM update should be at your local Ford dealer now. I went in to Red McCombs yesterday and it took them about 10 min to run the update. It fixed the GEM / 4WD problem. Anyone with a '98/'99 4WD Explorer should go in and see if the update applies to them. Any questions, email me at Wesley.Ulmer@usaa.com .