Getting into repairs

[jake the snake]

Guys, I am just red with anger, reading about all of these issues, TSBs, recalls, repairs, etc.

I have an '02 XLT with a 4.0 and Auto4wd. My wife just HAD to have this thing a few years ago, and I signed my a$$ away to buy it for her. I still owe on it, and have recently put it back on the road after 8 months of slumber in the back yard with a flashing O/D light and a tranny that would give you whiplash.

Anyways, a $2200 tranny rebuild fixed that.

I have been snooping around this section of the site, reading about all of these other issues I have or will have soon enough. I don't even know where to start. I have no idea what recall work was performed on this thing before I bought it in '05 with about 80k on it, or if it was ever in for any TSB work.

I know I have these issues so far:
4wd control module - just doesn't work
rear blend door - knocks almost all the time
cruise control - green light comes on, but won't hold speed
whining rear end - accel/decel and cruise
poor poor gas pedal/acceleration response - takes 10 minutes to get going when you punch it.


Where do I start?
How many of these are free-of-cost fixes at the F*$# dealership?


Any constructive advice/suggestions appreciated. TIA

 

[Elessar65]

I am guessing that its not under warranty anymore? Recalls are performed free of charge. TSBs are just bulletins to the dealerships/shops about problems and how to fix them.

 

[jake the snake]

Right...no warranty.

 

[bender]

Cruise control: since you mention that the light comes on, are you hitting the 'on' button and then 'set'? the light comes on when you press 'on' but you must hit the set button to set the speed

you bought it at 80k? how many miles now? 02 was a tough year for some. I wouldnt expect any "freebies" from the dealer on an 8 year old vehicle.

 

[jake the snake]

Cruise control: since you mention that the light comes on, are you hitting the 'on' button and then 'set'? the light comes on when you press 'on' but you must hit the set button to set the speed

you bought it at 80k? how many miles now? 02 was a tough year for some. I wouldnt expect any "freebies" from the dealer on an 8 year old vehicle.

I know I have to sound like half an idiot for making this moronic thread, but I do know how to set the cruise, and it is not working. If I press the on and then set button, the green indicator light on the dash comes on, but as soon as I let off the throttle, it loses speed. Cruise does not work.

I've been reading, and since the light comes on and stays on, I'm thinking it is not the connector or switch by the MC, because that would not allow the light to come on at all. If you touch the brakes, the cruise automatically deactivates. Seems to me that in that case, with the fried/brake-fluid covered connector, the cruise thinks the brakes are always on, so it can't turn on at all, and that is why the light on the dash doesn't even come on. That's why I think it has to be something else.

It has about 130k on it. I've heard before that no matter what the mileage, and no matter who the owner is, if the dealer runs the VIN and see that certain recall work wasn't performed, they have to do it, free of charge.

There is an awful rattling noise coming from underneath the chassis too, in all gears, from around 2500 to 3000 rpms. Is there a heat shield under there that I need to tighten or shim or even yank?

Thanks for humoring me, I really wish I could get out from under this POS, but I'm stuck with it, so I am trying to at least make it tolerable.

 

[therealblinky]

the most expensive work i have done to mine was the transmission and rear end. that was over 150 000 Kilometers ago, and their still holding strong. these are pretty good vehicles once you get the kinks out. Most of the stuff you have mentioned has been coverd on this forum, and their is alot more information that will help you on here too. Mine is up over 250 000 kilometers and i would not hesitate to hop in and drive this thing to mexico, Just my 2 cents