New Explorer Seeking Advice + a GAME included!

[Everdream]

1992 Explorer XLT
Automatic Pushrod V6 (I think)

So heres the deal. Im a Dodge guy. yep I said It. This is my first ford. I have nothing against Fords, Never owned one before this puppy. Never worked on a Ford, Never played with the workings of a Ford aside from a 91 escort GT. This is also my first 4WD Vehicle..well sorta..see later in details.

I paid 800 bucks for it..so I know it is not a beauty queen. It runs well (as far as I can tell.) but has the following problems.

*Gas gauge always on E
*Tachometer always @3kish while running (returns to 0 when cars off)
* Power seat on drivers side wont move.
*4x4 switch does nothing (no lights, or noises (I read the sticky, but im quite dim on understanding what I should look for here, there seems to be no noise behind the drivers back seat where this mod should be clicking))

so Im hoping for any advice with the above issues that you may have that will point me in the right direction. also I have a game of "what are those under the hood!" for you.

http://img403.imageshack.us/g/blackberry015.jpg/

(note in the album, it looks like the first picture is the left side connector, the second is the one down near the trans/oil stick area and the very last pic is the right side connector)

The first 2 pics are connectors going to nothing, but I think they should be. first two are near the lights in front (battery is in one pic for reference) second one is down near the motor, drivers side. I tried to get wire colors in the shots.

Thanks!

Matt

Any who any advice for an explorer probie is welcomed.

 

[Everdream]

Lots of views, no responses. So I decided to update here with a few things I've discovered after Reading stickies and other posts here.

Non working 4x4: Unplugged the mod behind the drivers seat, it tests and flashes 4 times. How can I test the button on the dash to see if it works? Also, I read somewhere someone jumping their truck from the modular plug in into 4H, Anyone know how to do this/ if it is possiable?

I seem to have fixed a few other of my issues, Also was wondering how to tell what transfer case I have in case I decide to get another little shift motor for it. I dont think im good enough on the mechanic end to rebuild the motor .

 

[FIND]

I meant to respond yesterday, but I had to run after one of the kids and forgot.


Those pics of under the hood. Don't worry about the stuff that is disconnected. I cannot remember what they are for.... but it is not a problem for you.

Your 4wd issues sound like an issue with the motor in the transfer case if you are getting power from the switch but it isnt doing anything.

Gas gauge on E.... Probably a bad sending unit. You may have to replace the fuel pump since I believe the sending unit is part of the pump.

Power seat on drivers side.... test for power, then test the switches, if the motors are working, then you have something in your track that is bad or stuck.

 

[97 EB Mike]

On the fuel gauge...

There is a sender only assembly available from NAPA (p/n FG42A), but I agree with changing out the pump and all while you have it apart. It'll cost you an extra $100 or so, but imo the peace of mind of knowing you won't have to drop the tank again is worth it, especially if you plan to keep this truck any length of time.

FWIW, I use www.napaonline.com fairly often to look up parts. Even if you don't buy from there, at least you're armed with a part number for cross reference at the store you do go to. Seems to make everyone's life a little easier, especially since it seems that parts countermen are getting either lazier or dumber (I can say that, because I am one )

 

[Verno]

Not sure what we are lookin at in your photo's so we'll ignore that for the moment.
Your 4x4 issues sound like they are with the stepper motor on the transfer case. BTW you have the Borg-Warner 1354 Electric Transfer case. For a 92, she looks pretty good and even though you haven't messed with fords before, the 92 isn't much different than working on Dodges. Pick up a haynes manual it is really good for the first gen explorers

 

[Everdream]

By bro in law gave the book to me from his old 94 EB (freeze plug blew and the block cracked.. ) So Im set there, I just needa do the brakes and get some trim from pull a part this weekend. thanks for the advice guys! any ideas why the tach stays at 3kish when running?

-Everdream

 

[Verno]

electrical fault, not common problem. Check wires at coil pack.

 

[Maniak]

The "stuck tach" is not exactly common, but it has been reported a bunch of times over the years.

In general, you either replace the cluster to fix it, or if your really lucky you take the cluster out, clean all the contacts on the back of the cluster and individual instruments and that fixes it.

~Mark

 

[Tony H]

YOu sound like me. I am basically a born and bread CHevy guy.

This is my first ford as well.
The 4WD issue sound like the common Shift motor problem. Very common.
You can SEARCH Shift motor and find tons of chatter about it. This will get you started
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542&highlight=shift+motor+rebuild
The Auto Hubs on these cars are the most unreliable ever. But since the lights don't light up on the dash.. that leans toward the Shift motor.

 

[Everdream]

After a lil more research, im down to either the dash button or 4x4 motor for the 4x4 but I can't find how to test the button. honestly, the 4x4 isnt "nessecery" for me, but id like it to work. Few questions: Tach at 3k and fuel guage not working, likely a fault in wiring causing both? I have an intermittent problem up front where my right blinker will stay on, and sometimes it will blink, leading me to think faulty ground up front somewhere. two: how do I "jump" the motor so see if its working or not. I read someone was able to jump it to 4L but they didnt list how (was a random google search and I cant re find it). I think when I replace the radio (my god a tape deck seriously?!?!?!?!) Ill have a look at the cluster. maybe ill get lucky and the fuel gauge will just be faulty wires or something. I don't have the experiance or tools to drop a fuel tank, especially in apartment parking lots. Will update soon!

Everdream

 

[qtrmill]

I just fixed my 3000 tach yesterday... here's how it went:

1. Remove ashtray and surrounding trim piece (I had to put the key in and shift to "1")
2. Remove the hex head bolts that hold the plexi cover over the instruments
3. Remove small black trim that sits between the plexi and the gauges
4. This part I had such a laugh out loud moment. I had heard these gauges were modular but I didn't expect this... The vertical lines between the speedo and tach and the two sets of two gauges are all segments of the panel. I gently wiggled and pulled the tach out, turned it over and the "top left" of the circuit board was a little brown. I also noticed some cracked soldering on the board connections. Sooo, I grew a pair and resoldered the cracks.
5. Replaced tach into the panel and tested before I put everything back together - and it works!

After not having a tach for so long, I had to be careful; I was staring at it while driving around!

Today I wanna tackle my Permanent "E" on the gas gauge - leaky float ball - but I think I have too much gas in there to try to lower it down today.. oh well.

P.S. - Your '92 must have been built on the same day as mine - with the exception of mine being a 4X2, I've had the exact same series of problems...

 

[little x]

Check out this stickie by Burns. There is no need to drop the gas tank in order to change the sending unit/pump. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182160&highlight=gas+tank

 

[qtrmill]

Little x, I saw that sticky a couple days ago... I dunno, puttin a Jack under the tank
and slowly lowering it seems waaaaay more practical than cutting a hole in some perfectly good floor. I'll just go for a drive and tap the tank every hour or so to guesstimate th level...

 

[Everdream]

Ill check out the tach, Sadly, im ny apts I dont have the tools, space or ability to drop a tank, let alone dremal a hole into my floor. Plug, its been kinda soggy out here (Lakewood is the sog pit of washington) been getting some sunny days of late, so maybe ill get a look under the truck on one of those days. prolly not much I can do under there with my whole 14 tools I got left. (they keep getting stolen..lol)

 

[Reejerey]

I get around 300-350 miles to a tank of gas in my x, fill the tank and drive for 250 or so miles and you should be good to drop the tank without too many issues.

 

[Everdream]

P.S. - Your '92 must have been built on the same day as mine - with the exception of mine being a 4X2, I've had the exact same series of problems...

If your is white with a red stripe, I think it is possiable that this truck is my trucks long lost twin brother. Its mother prolly died of old age at the ripe age of 300k and is burried in a graveyard pullapart.

In other news. Its good to know about how much you get, I didnt think these trucks would get very good milage, even with a v6. this one is in good shape, so I hope I do that well