Lots of problems 97 XLT

[xdviper]

I have a 1997 XLT explorer and it's great, but I've been having a lot of problems with it lately. Yesterday I've took it to my friends shop to get new brakes, because it kept on saying ABS and the brakes were old anyway. Well, i got it back but the ABS lights are still on. Friend also told me the engine burns way too much gas, he told me, he would have to replace a part to give me gas economy back. He also told me the shocks were also cracked on the right front side and I would have to get that repaired. But anyway, My question is Whats wrong with the fuel thing? Can I fix it myself? Why is the ABS light still on after getting new brakes? Another thing, The overdrive button, when I was driving on a old airport, doing highspeeds racing the engine and all that, the Overdrive light started blinking... I shut down the engine and restarted and it went away. When I press it, it says OD OFF, but that light was never there before, and isn't it supposed to be off? I pressed on it again to turn the light off.

BTW: I've payed $300 for the new brakes... Good or Bad?

 

[RJDriver]

Speed sensors are common culprits for ABS problems. So, simply replacing the brakes will not magically solve the ABS problems.

As for replacing a part for fuel econ.....which part needs replaced?

 

[xdviper]

Ah man, I've talked to the guy, he said the sensors like you said have to be looked in with a computer to determine the problem.

The fuel eco, I don't remember but he said that it's one of those parts that level how much gas is being burnt or something and that the car burns a lot of gas. It is true, I've brought $40 dollars of $3.25/Gallon gas, and it last me only 70miles, with 40highway miles, and now it's empty, I just filled it up with another $20 with $3.30/gallon.... Gas is expensive over here in NY so I gotta get this fixed...

 

[762mm]

Eh.. No offence, but by the sound of it, your mechanic will probably make a lot of money off you. Part that gives better fuel economy? Lol, if you learn what it is, let me know cause I'll change mine too, hehehe

For fuel economy, there are several parts you can be looking at. Personally I've changed my spark plugs (put in NGK Iridiums), plug wires (for performance wires), FRAM Premium air filter, replaced my front oxygen sensors, clean the MAF sensor regularly, run synthetic Mobil 1 oil and still get poor fuel mileage.. 16 MPG at best, I'd say. The O/D light flashing meant a bad torque converter on my transmission, the light would start flashing when I'd take the truck on a highway, and would go away after restarting the truck, just like yours does. I had to dish out close to $2500 to get it fixed (rebuilt the whole tranny).

So, there's no easy answer to your question... fuel economy can me attributed to many, many things... I'd start by replacing spark plugs, the air filter and cleaning the MAF (Mass Air Flow sensor - easy to do, try doing a search on what it is and how to do it on these forums). Also try to get the codes pulled for your transmission, cause if you have to get it rebuilt, you might wanna consider getting a newer Explorer (or something even better) instead. Good luck...

P.S. ABS is crap anyway, if mine ever goes I won't spend a penny to get it fixed (just my opinion). I'd take out the instrument cluster and remove the annoying ABS bulb istead, lol!

 

[Mjaga251]

I've brought $40 dollars of $3.25/Gallon gas, and it last me only 70miles, with 40highway miles, and now it's empty, I just filled it up with another $20 with $3.30/gallon.... Gas is expensive over here in NY so I gotta get this fixed...

Gas by me is at about $3.50/gallon, Chicago it's even more!!! A couple of weeks ago it was almost to $4/gallon!

 

[rizzjc]

70 miles to a tank?! Sounds like a hole in the gas tank rather than a bad part!

 

[xdviper]

70 miles to a tank?! Sounds like a hole in the gas tank rather than a bad part!

Yeah thats what I said also when I've seen the fuel gage. It's not normal at all, I'm thinking about the new Hybrid Escapes.

 

[ExploringNC]

For the ABS you could try cleaning the sensor in the rear axle. It's located at the top of the rear gear box, one bolt gets it out then use brake cleaner to get all the buildup off.

For the gas mileage like they said it could be allot of things. Get your mechanic to tell you what he wants to replace then post it hear for more advice. I get around 300 miles to a full tank with no special mods or expensive parts.

$300 for a brake job is high to me but I also do all my own work, I don't trust anybody when it comes to working on my ride.

 

[g8r]

Doing the brakes probably just meant pads and rotors. I had my ABS light come on periodically and the ABS wasnt working properly.

The front wheel hubs each contain an ABS sensor, if this goes doing the pads and rotors wouldnt help.

The stealership here quoted me $2000 for hubs, pads,rotors and replacing my rear spring shackles. After another place said $1400 I decided to do my first brake job.

I did the hubs, pads and rotors myself for about $800, about half on tools tho. A spring shop did the shackles for $100 after I tried and figured it was too hard for me to do.

There is also one sensor in the rear, its the cheap one. The front sensors are part of the hub unit altho I have seen the sensor alone at autozone I think for $75.

 

[xdviper]

i think i found out the problem, when you brake hard while going 30mph or more, and you brake really hard, then it comes out, other than that its normal and works as should.

another problem is the AC, oh man it is really hot out here in NYC, and I don't have the AC working, the AC gas escapes the tank, and it doesn't last the whole year, How can I fix this part? thanks.

 

[Ranger379]

blinking OD OFF light means a problem with transmission. take it to a ford dealer and get the codes pulled to see wahts wrong asap. if something wrong u my just have to fix something small, let it go and them end up replacing whole tranny lol... the button the the shifter is the OD OFF switch. when your driving you DONT want this on. you want over drive. that may be part of the fuel emocnomey issue b/c when OD is Off you will run at higher Rpm's. try a tune up for better MPG first. plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, clean the MAF and IAC. put in a new PVC valve. if you still get real bad MPG then go to a garage. the system that recycles un burned fuel is broken on mine and im getting like 16-19 mpg. another idea is look for fuel leaks under the truck and maybe consider a locking gas cap lol. also change driving habits. good luck

 

[xdviper]

Hey Ranger379, thanks for that tip, yesterday after a long drive around the city, that light started blinking again. the last time that happened was a month ago, so i am going to take it to a ford dealer, sometime next week. so now i think that when ever i change gears, the tranny bumps, its probably of that, so i'll deff get it checked out. fuel economy isn't going to be a problem anymore, i'ma start taking public transportation or start walking from now...
actually i don't think i drive aggressive, i pick up with low RPM around 15K, and level off to 2k RPM and from there the car picks up it's own speed. and also, will the dealer charge me to check it out?

oh BTW: i've seen someone selling a 2002 explorer, for $5,500. can it be this cheap? i'm really thinking of selling my 97, and taking that....