I think that I made a mistake

[tenkerman]

This past Monday I found myself in the position of having to get a car that day. It was cold, getting dark, and I was running out of time. I picked up a 1998 Explorer XLT V8 with 116,000 miles. On first glance it seemed to be in good shape with a few things needing attention. However this week I've made some worrying discoveries. Here they are, in no particular order. I can fix most of the problems, but there are some that are beyond me. Am I in for some serious money or do I sell it "as is" and move on?

-No high beams (probably MFS)
-driving lights are out
-driver's master lock switch unlocks doors, but won't lock them (probably broken wire)
-Low beams seem very dim
-power steering fluid is black
-rear wiper works intermittently
-radiator leaks, seems to be upper passenger side
-passenger door lock is sticky, sometimes won't unlock unless you open the door.
-Failed emissions test, P0141 code
-Parked on any incline with transmission in park and parking brake on, it will roll
-Sounds as though it has an exhaust leak, although no odors
-speedometer is off, indicates 75 and it's only doing 65

It runs well enough, plenty of power, shifts well, and seems to drive straight. The body is straight, rust free, and the paint is good. The leather interior is clean with no rips or nasty stains. I think that I'll put it up on Craigslist, be honest about the issues, and hope to get my $2500 back.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

This past Monday I found myself in the position of having to get a car that day. It was cold, getting dark, and I was running out of time. I picked up a 1998 Explorer XLT V8 with 116,000 miles. On first glance it seemed to be in good shape with a few things needing attention. However this week I've made some worrying discoveries. Here they are, in no particular order. I can fix most of the problems, but there are some that are beyond me. Am I in for some serious money or do I sell it "as is" and move on?

-No high beams (probably MFS)
-driving lights are out
-driver's master lock switch unlocks doors, but won't lock them (probably broken wire)
-Low beams seem very dim
-power steering fluid is black
-rear wiper works intermittently
-radiator leaks, seems to be upper passenger side
-passenger door lock is sticky, sometimes won't unlock unless you open the door.
-Failed emissions test, P0141 code
-Parked on any incline with transmission in park and parking brake on, it will roll
-Sounds as though it has an exhaust leak, although no odors
-speedometer is off, indicates 75 and it's only doing 65

It runs well enough, plenty of power, shifts well, and seems to drive straight. The body is straight, rust free, and the paint is good. The leather interior is clean with no rips or nasty stains. I think that I'll put it up on Craigslist, be honest about the issues, and hope to get my $2500 back.

Many of these problems are actually simple to fix.

-No high beams (probably MFS) do you have a message center, if so look up Lamp outtage module
-driving lights are outsame as above, also this is a common problem due to a poor design
-driver's master lock switch unlocks doors, but won't lock them (probably broken wire)there is a splice on the drivers side that gets corroded and makes the switch not work, sort of common.
-Low beams seem very dimCheck the grounds, they could be corroded
-power steering fluid is blacktake a turkey baster suck that junk out, and put in fresh, aslong as it works, you should be good
-rear wiper works intermittentlypossibly the switch, but a common problem with the explorer is the rear wiper, they never really work well, some just get rid of it.
-radiator leaks, seems to be upper passenger sideI suggest UV coolant dye to help you find the source of the leak, trust me it works great.
-passenger door lock is sticky, sometimes won't unlock unless you open the door. when mine was sticking it was the door lock actuator, it is a pain ot change if you have never done one before
-Failed emissions test, P0141 codeMost liekly a bad O2 sensor
-Parked on any incline with transmission in park and parking brake on, it will rollnot sure about this one, altohugh I know the parking brakes usually stick, get worn down, and don't work well.
-Sounds as though it has an exhaust leak, although no odorswhat engine do you have, some have this problem, while other not so much.
-speedometer is off, indicates 75 and it's only doing 65this one I have no clue about, sorry.

Hope this atleast gives you a guide to start doing research.

 

[corkey]

-Parked on any incline with transmission in park and parking brake on, it will roll
------check to see if the front driveshaft is in there, and hooked up, some take it off to have the awd disabled,,

-speedometer is off, indicates 75 and it's only doing 65

-------probably has too small a tire on it, check the size with the door tag,,

 

[tenkerman]

-Parked on any incline with transmission in park and parking brake on, it will roll
------check to see if the front driveshaft is in there, and hooked up, some take it off to have the awd disabled,,

-speedometer is off, indicates 75 and it's only doing 65

-------probably has too small a tire on it, check the size with the door tag,,

I hadn't considered the drive shaft. I'm going to pick up a radiator tomorrow to throw in.
I'll check the driveshaft.

 

[TwiztidRat]

Honestly dude that list seems very small compared to bigger problems people sweat. Not much help I know, but just something to consider.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Honestly dude that list seems very small compared to bigger problems people sweat. Not much help I know, but just something to consider.

Considering I have had most of those problem on mine over the past year and a half, it is actually not that bad. Most are just annoying, not a serious problem.

 

[oharris]

-Parked on any incline with transmission in park and parking brake on, it will roll
------check to see if the front driveshaft is in there, and hooked up, some take it off to have the awd disabled,,

-speedometer is off, indicates 75 and it's only doing 65

-------probably has too small a tire on it, check the size with the door tag,,

I'd bet money these are related. With the front drive shaft removed, a certain amount of slippage will occur in the viscous coupling. If it's enough, it could throw off the speedo.