My 3rd Mountaineer with New Problems

[SwampMaster]

For those that didn't see my intro I am the proud owner of my 3rd Mountaineer. She's a 2000 premier with the 5.0 AWD. This one has what sounds to be an exhaust leak, but its on the Drivers side and only once it warms up. Sounds like a cracked manifold, but maybe someone can save me some time before I dig into it. The cd/ radio seems to work fine, but it doesn't light up. Any simple fixes or do I just buy an aftermarket that will work with my steering controls? The MAIN thing wrong is that my fog lights don't work. I don't get any 12V at the light plugs, but that's as far as I have gone so far. I figure if I have to pull the radio out and the dash trim to get to the back of the switch I may as well have a plan for the radio. I do see that there is a relay under the hood. I swapped two of those around and it did nothing. Is there a fuse somewhere that I didn't catch?
Lastly is there an aftermarket vendor that sells body parts? She's got a damaged trim panel on the rear lower quarter.
I apologize foe being lazy and not just digging in, but I'm trying to save some time so I can have her in great shape by the beginning of September.
Thanks in Advance.
Swamp

 

[koda2000]

Radio:
The display burns out on ALL the Mach radios (the ones with the RDS button). I have 4 Explorers/Mountaineers with this high-end sound system and the display burnt out on every one of them. The radios were designed/made by Pioneer and they have a flaw which overheats the power board and breaks the solder joints on the circuit board. A well known issue. The PO of my '01 EB had it repaired somewhere and it's the only display that continues to work. An aftermarket radio is probably the way to go, but IDK if anyone makes one that will work the steering wheel controls.

BTW, the Dorman replacement power board WILL NOT work with the Mach radio with the 6-disc CD changer.

Fog Lights:
There is a bank of relays located in the area under the air filter box. It's possible the fog light relay is burnt out. I think the fog light relay is located there.

Trim Panel:
Salvage yard is your best bet. RockAuto and LMC truck offer some parts for the Explorers, but I don't think there's much available specifically for the Mountaineer.

Exhaust Leak:
I forget w/o looking, but isn't the EGR pipe on the driver's side on the 5.0? As it only makes noise once warm, it might be EGR related.

 

[jamie3529gq]

I was going to buy body panels from here.

http://raybuck.com/i-67419-1991-01-explorer-rocker-panel-oem-style-4-door-passenger-side.html

I haven't bought yet, so I can't comment on the quality / delivery.

 

[SwampMaster]

koda and Jamie, thanks for the replies! I had no idea there was a relay box under the air box. The book shows a relay in the box on the driver's fender. That was the one I switched around. Is there a company that repairs the stock radios? I know in the last few years a lot of small electronics repair shops have sprung up for things like the gm dash clusters that always burn up resistors and such.
I found a Pioneer FH-X720BT that supposedly has an available interface to work with my steering controls.
Thanks
Swamp

 

[koda2000]

From what I understand the only solution to the Mach/RDS radio display problem is to add a small fan or to raise the resistors to keep the heat from melting/cracking the solder joints on the power board. There used to be a guy who repaired them, but I don't know if he's still around. I've seen a company on the internet (try Googling) that says they repair them.

You can contact these guys.
http://www.fixyourradio.com/

 

[SwampMaster]

Great info!

koda, that site is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a million.
Swamp