new to explorers . . . some newbie questions

[blovell]

hey all. i bought a used 02 xlt 4x4 yesterday and i love it! there are a few cosmetic things that i'm wanting to work on a little bit and i'm hoping someone here can help me out.

first, is there a way to repair a rear headrest that won't stay up. i think the ratcheting mechanism is messed up and i may look at repairing or replacing it if reasonably possible.

second, has anyone ever had a problem with the odometer display randomly dimming? sometimes it's bright and clear and others it's barely legible. any suggestions?

it looks like the lady that owned the explorer before me put something heavy across the top of the back seats and smashed some of the foam down. is there somewhere to buy some replacement foam for this? can i even get access to it without having to remove the whole backseat?

the same lady also went a little touchup paint crazy. does anyone know a cheap and easy way to remove excess touchup paint?

thanks everyone. that's pretty much all my questions. i look forward to learning as much as i can here.

 

[camaro_guy_z28]

Welcome to the board there are many people on here who should be able to answer your questions. Maybe try the search option also.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

blovell,
Welcome to our Forums! You can get some pretty good help from a lot of smart guys on this site. Sometimes it might take a while to get answers because everyone is on such different schedules. Be patient and answers usually show up somehow!
I have no doubts you will love your Explorer. I am on my 3rd and find it is just the perfect vehicle for me. I have drifted away to other vehicles at different times, but always seem to end up back in the seat of an Explorer. I think I'm staying in it this time!?!
I think I can address your guage cluster problem. It is a problem that Ford has had in several of its different vehicles...not just the Explorer. It has to do with cold or crackes solder joints on the circuit board of your instrument cluster.
The problem starts out like you have it right now...comes and goes. Sometimes bright, then dim. You will find that if you slap the console that that sometimes makes it come bright again. It will cycle like that for a long while, then all of a sudden it will start blacking totally out, then just staying black for real long periods...maybe forever! I had this problem with our 99 Expedition. The fix is really not all that bad. Here is the printed, step by step fix instructions. Print them out and when you have some free time, pull out a very low voltage soldering pencil type iron, and fix the problem for good.
Hope this helps with your console problems at least!
Ken
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/196821-odometer-blackout-problem-fixed.html?highlight=odometer