p38fln
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- September 4, 2015
- Messages
- 120
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Minnesota
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2015 Explorer XLT 4x4
So I figured i'd continue this from my newbie thread since I know a lot more about this suv now.
I bought a 2003 Explorer 4x4 V-6 from a used car dealer in Kentucky. It was a repo the dealer bought at an auction. Family member owns the dealership, and we went crazy trying to figure out why the 4x4 wouldn't work.
The 4x4 GEM was unplugged, so we plugged it back in.
Turns out that it was unplugged because the previous owner had put almost bald "Big O" tires on the front axle and 50% tread life left "Firestone" tires on the back axle. It almost continuously thought that the wheels were slipping and it kept turning on the 4x4 on dry pavement on the drive home, so I unplugged the module again as soon as I got a better look at the tires in the daylight. Hope nothing was damaged too severely by driving it with the mixed tires, but I won't know for sure til I can get some new tires for it.
With the module plugged in, the 4x4 high button works and all 4 wheels have power. Tested it in gravel.
Limited slip differential, definitely works.
Transmission smoothly shifts through all 5 gears and locks down at a normal speed
All power equipment works
The passenger side windshield wiper doesn't push down hard enough so the center of the blade doesn't actually touch the windshield, Tried replacing the blade with no luck.
Passenger side headlight is only attached by the top two screws, the adjustment screw is just hanging from the bottom of the housing. I tried to put it back, but I'm missing something. It looked fine when I got it, just noticed the problem when I tried to fix the aim.
Also, the pass headlamp is BENT - the bulb isn't going straight into the assembly, so it doesn't actually put much light to the ground no matter how I aim it. Looks fine from a few feet away, but a close inspection shows the problem.
The turn signal on the passenger side is also loose, and the hood closes too far on that side. Not sure what it all means. There are no scrapes or anything from an accident, and it's all minor from what I can tell.
Other than the weirdness on the passenger side, needs new spark plugs.
I was told I should change the coils too at the same time, is this normal?
Pretty happy with the purchase, solid engine, solid transmission, 7 passenger seating, nice smooth ride (with the 4x4 GEM unplugged), decent fuel economy for an SUV or any other 7 passenger vehicle for that matter and it has the factory 2" trailer package. 5400 lbs?
I bought a 2003 Explorer 4x4 V-6 from a used car dealer in Kentucky. It was a repo the dealer bought at an auction. Family member owns the dealership, and we went crazy trying to figure out why the 4x4 wouldn't work.
The 4x4 GEM was unplugged, so we plugged it back in.
Turns out that it was unplugged because the previous owner had put almost bald "Big O" tires on the front axle and 50% tread life left "Firestone" tires on the back axle. It almost continuously thought that the wheels were slipping and it kept turning on the 4x4 on dry pavement on the drive home, so I unplugged the module again as soon as I got a better look at the tires in the daylight. Hope nothing was damaged too severely by driving it with the mixed tires, but I won't know for sure til I can get some new tires for it.
With the module plugged in, the 4x4 high button works and all 4 wheels have power. Tested it in gravel.
Limited slip differential, definitely works.
Transmission smoothly shifts through all 5 gears and locks down at a normal speed
All power equipment works
The passenger side windshield wiper doesn't push down hard enough so the center of the blade doesn't actually touch the windshield, Tried replacing the blade with no luck.
Passenger side headlight is only attached by the top two screws, the adjustment screw is just hanging from the bottom of the housing. I tried to put it back, but I'm missing something. It looked fine when I got it, just noticed the problem when I tried to fix the aim.
Also, the pass headlamp is BENT - the bulb isn't going straight into the assembly, so it doesn't actually put much light to the ground no matter how I aim it. Looks fine from a few feet away, but a close inspection shows the problem.
The turn signal on the passenger side is also loose, and the hood closes too far on that side. Not sure what it all means. There are no scrapes or anything from an accident, and it's all minor from what I can tell.
Other than the weirdness on the passenger side, needs new spark plugs.
I was told I should change the coils too at the same time, is this normal?
Pretty happy with the purchase, solid engine, solid transmission, 7 passenger seating, nice smooth ride (with the 4x4 GEM unplugged), decent fuel economy for an SUV or any other 7 passenger vehicle for that matter and it has the factory 2" trailer package. 5400 lbs?
