Ever had a WTF day with your explorer?

[BP_93explorer]

I went to start my explorer and go to school like usual. Everything is fine until I turn the key. I hear clicking and then nothing. Turn the key off and back but don't try to start it. Lights on dash come on and dinging begins, I turn the key farther, nothing. Try it again, this time no lights or dinging. One more try just for the hell of it. I leave the key on and wait, the lights and dinging slowly come back but the vehicle refuses to start.

I thought I was screwed because I lent my portable jumper thing to my mom a few weeks ago when her Jeep didn't start. Suprisingly she had put it back! I get it out and hook it up. I go check and everything seems fine. Try to start and it starts turning over! Then I realize it hasn't started yet, like it has no spark. Unhook the jumper and say a few curses. Get back in the seat, curse some more at the Explorer, it starts right up. Yay! But by this time it isn't worth trying to make it to class.

Might as well get some breakfast. Back out, put in drive, hit the gas and it starts to die. It didn't but then the ABS light was on. I drove it around the block, park it, start it, everything is fine. Jump on the highway, get up to 65mph and something is weird. The engine is quieter than usual. Give it some gas, yup, still started. Look at the RPMs and notice they are lower than they use to be at that speed! Not just a little lower, it was at 2100 at 65mph when it use to be about 3000. Pull into Sonic and then I hear a hum coming from the engine. Didn't use to be there. Get my order and drive away and the belt starts whining. It stops, humming is still there and I drive to the gas station.

Filled it up. Turn the car on, start going and notice no belt whining, no humming noise, and everything is just great. That was my morning. I think I'll go back to bed. Sorry this is kinda long, I'm bored and this has been an odd morning.

 

[Evil Republican]

Yes...

Everyday actually...

Since fixing my wheel bearing problem and getting new tires I'm hearing a (waaaaaaaaa!!!!) driving around...

I guess hotter weather makes tires sound different...

Tomorrow I will post any new strange sounds my Explorer will make...

 

[93TwotoneXLT]

As far as it cruising at 2100rpm instead of 3000rpm, is it possible that you have cruising along in "D" and not "OD" this whole time? As far as the other weird stuff, maybe it will be a one time thing. If not, hire a priest and get some holy water to exercise the demon from that thing

 

[Rhett]

I've never had a WTF day with my Explorer yet...in fact it is ol' reliable. I did have those days with a Buick I had a few years ago, before I did some work on it's electrical/charging system. When's the last time the alternator was changed?

 

[BP_93explorer]

I always though 3000rpm was too high. I always looked down to make sure it was in the right gear. I think its mostly a cold thing with the other stuff. I hope. Its in the 40s here when we should be in the 70s

 

[westcovinajoe]

My x goes at about 2800 rpm at 65mph. Is that too high?


Joseph

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

THe starting problem sounds like battery cables. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight. Also check the wires coming off the clamp. Corroded or loose connections can cause the same symptoms. I almost replaced a starter because of the same reasons.

 

[Diddy74]

Everyday All Day

Its like when they say a dog and its owner take on each others characteristics, I believe mine is as moody and tempermental as the owner. Some days she starts up and purrs so smooth you wouldnt even notice its on, other days starts up idle jumps then dips then jumps and settles to where ever it wants, putters along when im trying to pass on the highway. Some days handles like a champ on pothole infested streets, others every little bump or crack their is a phantom rattle I cant track down thats either coming from the passenger seat or door panel.

 

[BP_93explorer]

I had some work done over the weekend and I noticed they replaced the negative battery clamp, I plan on checking both of them later today.

 

[thewishkah]

like diff whack daddy said, it is most likely battery cables, if it happens again try just knocking them with a hammer gently, or lossen them , move them and retighten, should do the trick.

As for one of those days? yes I have had a ton, lol try 2 alt's in 2 months lol under warranty for the 2nd one. Or being at your G/f's house for like 8 hours, and coming out and when u start to drive ... NOTHING for a matter of seconds.

All in all i love the truck though

 

[Diddy74]

Oh shouldve added when took her into the dealer for the seat bolt recall thingy, not a symptom or squeak. Hmmmf

 

[91expogurl]

I always thought mine ran high - does the same at 65 mph where its usually 3000rpm. I try to put it in OD but it doesn't change...hmmm...?

 

[Papa]

Don’t you just love those portable jump batteries!!!

 

[trucku]

my 2002 never sees 3000rpm...At 65 I am barely above 2k I think. It will go to 3k if I turn off OD.

 

[JStrider]

3 years ago when I had only had my X for a year I was driving around campus and all of a sudden she starts sputtering and jerking and chugging... I was able to make it to the parking lot and she stalled out as I pulled up near a spot...

so I talk to a few buddies get a shop recomendation and start heading over... and shes chugging and jerking and barely going and i'm about half way to the shop... it was only like 2 miles away... and she starts chugging even worse and wont go over like 10 mph and then she stalls out again and I coast to a side road and turn off.

I try to start her up and no go... just cranks and wont start... so I try again and shes trying to turn over but not quite getting it...then all of a sudden she starts with a loud pop and revs up to almost 4000 and then drops back down to normal idle but its really rough... but not chugging like she was before so I head on to the shop wondering what the hell the deal is... and then when I get there i pull into the parking lot and shes running and idling fine... so i just leave again

I've never had a problem like that since... so i dont worry about it

my only idea for what may have caused it is somethin to do with water... it had been raining and the streets had turned into shallow rivers...

 

[BP_93explorer]

Yeah, my Explorer doesn't like changes in weather. We got a good flood earlier in the week and then a sudden temp drop. Any time the temp drops, I see problems (last time the fuel gauge stopped working right).

As for the RPM thing, I had my X serviced over the weekend. It was the rear seal and oil pan leaking so I know either the engine was pulled or tranny dropped (or both I suppose). I figure they either nocked something back in place or plugged something in that was unplugged before. I know I had it in the right gear the past few years.