Not sure what sound this is...

[Jenno]

Hi everyone, I apologize if this is in the wrong spot.

I am a brand new Ford owner and an SUV owner. My hubby bought me a used 1997 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition.

We or I drove it home yesterday, no problem. But when we pulled up in front of our house and after turning off the truck, we noticed what sounded like some kind of motor turning off. It's really hard to describe, the sound, but it went on for awhile. It would make the noise, then stop, then make it again. Like something was turning off. We could really here it from the back of the truck.

So then today, I go out to go shopping, and started to feel a vibration in the brake pedal when I would hit the brake. It really startled me at first as I thought my brakes were giving out. It only happens when I drive, not sitting idel hitting the brakes.

Being that I am totally new to Ford, Suv's I have no clue what it could be. I realize that it is an older vehicle, but still.....

Any ideas my hubby can check for would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jen

Edit: Also added that when I hit the brakes, I can hear like a swooshing sound, like there is air....

 

[MadExplorer93]

Sounds like brake pads are worn and one or both brake rotors are warped.

When you say you hear a whoosh sound like AIR sound is this when you press on the brake pedal, if so it sounds like the brake booster is making this noise which is normal to make only a little bit though. If it is doing it a lot, then if brake shoes/pads are worn it will cause the pedal to go further down and make the whoosh sound like AIR.

The only other thing that can cause this sound would be if a brake caliper is leaking the brake pedal will be soft too and make a more whoosh sound.

Also the worst scenario is the brake booster could be no good and leaking and/or the master cylinder.

As you can see it can be a few things that can cause the whoosh sound.

If the booster is failing this can cause the pedal to almost go to the floor and make BRAKING DIFFICULT.

As for vibration when braking that is 90% of the time brake pads are worn and one or more rotors is warped and need replacing.

I suggest taking it into a mechanic to check your brake system.

Vibrations on the front end can also mean a bad tire, ball joint, tie rod or center drag link.

Again have it inspected to make sure you don't have any of these issues.

 

[Jenno]

Thanks MadExplorer

I also want to mention that the brake doesn't go all the way down. As soon as I press the brake pedal the truck begins to stop. I don't have to pump the pedal or push it down alot for it to begin to stop.

The vibration only happens for a few seconds, then stops. It's not a constant vibration. Like as soon as I hit the pedal, everything is normal, truck begins to stop, as soon as it is almost at a complete stop is when the vibration happens. It's like a skipping vibration if that makes sense.

I am going to be taking it tomorrow but wanted to hear thoughts...

 

[MadExplorer93]

Thanks MadExplorer

I also want to mention that the brake doesn't go all the way down. As soon as I press the brake pedal the truck begins to stop. I don't have to pump the pedal or push it down alot for it to begin to stop.

The vibration only happens for a few seconds, then stops. It's not a constant vibration. Like as soon as I hit the pedal, everything is normal, truck begins to stop, as soon as it is almost at a complete stop is when the vibration happens. It's like a skipping vibration if that makes sense.

I am going to be taking it tomorrow but wanted to hear thoughts...

Ok then it sounds like brake rotor or rotors is warped and pads are worn. You could have caliper sticking and that will allow the pads to run onto the rotor heating them up and making them warp.

Have it looked at as soon as you can.

 

[Pensa]

The sound when you turn the key off is probably your radio antenna. It took me a while to figure out what was going on too.

 

[Jenno]

Nah its not that, I watched the Antenna going down and listened. While it does sound exactly like that. This noise continued for a few minutes on and off.

Edit: Can anyone give me some advice on being easy on the costs of getting these kinds of things repaired? Do the repairs ourselves? My hubby replaces our brakes, etc on our car. Would he be able to replace the brakes just as easily? I just did a carfax on the truck (wish he would have) and saw that the brakes were just serviced about 6000 miles ago.
Vehicle serviced
Rear brake pads replaced
Brakes checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Brakes serviced

And we are also lucky to have a good amount of service tickets that came with the truck and back in 04, the previous owner was having a vibration in the brake pedal too. Technician said it was a premature ABS so they replaced all three speed sensors...

The sound when you turn the key off is probably your radio antenna. It took me a while to figure out what was going on too.

 

[MadExplorer93]

Nah its not that, I watched the Antenna going down and listened. While it does sound exactly like that. This noise continued for a few minutes on and off.

Edit: Can anyone give me some advice on being easy on the costs of getting these kinds of things repaired? Do the repairs ourselves? My hubby replaces our brakes, etc on our car. Would he be able to replace the brakes just as easily? I just did a carfax on the truck (wish he would have) and saw that the brakes were just serviced about 6000 miles ago.
Vehicle serviced
Rear brake pads replaced
Brakes checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Brakes serviced

And we are also lucky to have a good amount of service tickets that came with the truck and back in 04, the previous owner was having a vibration in the brake pedal too. Technician said it was a premature ABS so they replaced all three speed sensors...

Hmm Premature ABS, well that can cause the issue as well, so did this vibration all of a sudden start happening or has been there for sometime since you have had the vehicle or for a month etc.. ?

I see rear brake pads serviced and i don't see front brakes serviced?

Most likely they were checked, but what about the rotors for warpage?

Your husband could do most of this work as long as he is able to do so, we are all here to help him a long if need to be as a garage will charge you through the nose.

 

[Jenno]

I honestly don't know about the rotors. They were serviced but it goes back to about 2004. Im sure they were serviced since then, could be missing a service ticket somewhere....

We just got the truck yesterday. It didn't any of the noise or vibration when I drove it. I drove it about two hours from Maryland to PA with stopping here and there.

I'm def getting it looked at, as it is really startling feeling that feeling in the pad when you go to stop the truck, lol. I don't like that feeling at all.

Hmm Premature ABS, well that can cause the issue as well, so did this vibration all of a sudden start happening or has been there for sometime since you have had the vehicle or for a month etc.. ?

I see rear brake pads serviced and i don't see front brakes serviced?

Most likely they were checked, but what about the rotors for warpage?

 

[MadExplorer93]

I honestly don't know about the rotors. They were serviced but it goes back to about 2004. Im sure they were serviced since then, could be missing a service ticket somewhere....

We just got the truck yesterday. It didn't any of the noise or vibration when I drove it. I drove it about two hours from Maryland to PA with stopping here and there.

I'm def getting it looked at, as it is really startling feeling that feeling in the pad when you go to stop the truck, lol. I don't like that feeling at all.

Ok i need to ask this.

Does it happen only when you apply the brake fast and push it down hard/fast like stopping quickly or does it when you apply the brake slowly and get about 3/4 way down?

Either way it should happen as the ABS braking system will kick in and you will feel the shudder of the brake pedal and it will shudder feeling like the pedal is forcing your foot up then down and up and down as you press on the pedal in this two scenarios.

Now if you getting a vibration at 1/4 to 1/2 of slowly applying the pedal then i suspect a brake rotor or rotors and pad wear.

The woo, woo, woo sound is the ABS system making that noise as the brake fluid is being pumped at a speed that only our eyes lashes can produce and that would be a normal sound.

Either way get it looked at for safety sake and go with the mechanic in the vehicle if possible to show them what sounds your concerned with.

 

[Jenno]

Ok i need to ask this.

Does it happen only when you apply the brake fast and push it down hard/fast like stopping quickly or does it when you apply the brake slowly and get about 3/4 way down?

Either way it should happen as the ABS braking system will kick in and you will feel the shudder of the brake pedal and it will shudder feeling like the pedal is forcing your foot up then down and up and down as you press on the pedal in this two scenarios.

Now if you getting a vibration at 1/4 to 1/2 of slowly applying the pedal then i suspect a brake rotor or rotors and pad wear.

The woo, woo, woo sound is the ABS system making that noise as the brake fluid is being pumped at a speed that only our eyes lashes can produce and that would be a normal sound.

Either way get it looked at for safety sake and go with the mechanic in the vehicle if possible to show them what sounds your concerned with.

it happens when I hit it slowly and when it gets to about 3/4 of the way down, just when the truck is about to come to a complete stop. It doesn't happen when I first hit the pedal.

Geesh, I hope it isn't the rotors, aren't those expensive? lol Pads and what not I can deal with as my hubby can replace those himself. But the rotors...lol.

Is there somewhere that I can take it to that will do a free diagnostic on the brakes, ABS and anything else I want looked over since we did buy it used?

 

[MadExplorer93]

it happens when I hit it slowly and when it gets to about 3/4 of the way down, just when the truck is about to come to a complete stop. It doesn't happen when I first hit the pedal.

Geesh, I hope it isn't the rotors, aren't those expensive? lol Pads and what not I can deal with as my hubby can replace those himself. But the rotors...lol.

Is there somewhere that I can take it to that will do a free diagnostic on the brakes, ABS and anything else I want looked over since we did buy it used?

Ok then slowly and 3/4 way down is the ABS system kicking in and that is normal if it feels like the pedal is pumping under pressure and you hear that woop, whoop, whoop noise and the ABS is ANTI-LOCK system.

Now may places do offer free brake inspections as for ABS i am sure that is part of some places check over list, but as them call up places, heck even call FORD DEALER to see.

I am almost certain it is your ABS working normally as it should, but i am not there to drive it to see, so please have it looked at.

 

[Jenno]

Thanks MadExplorer

I am taking it to get it checked out just to be sure. If it is the ABS, it's a mighty powerful feeling in the brake pedal, lol....

Ok then slowly and 3/4 way down is the ABS system kicking in and that is normal if it feels like the pedal is pumping under pressure and you hear that woop, whoop, whoop noise and the ABS is ANTI-LOCK system.

Now may places do offer free brake inspections as for ABS i am sure that is part of some places check over list, but as them call up places, heck even call FORD DEALER to see.

I am almost certain it is your ABS working normally as it should, but i am not there to drive it to see, so please have it looked at.

 

[ThePhoenix]

I'll bet the abs sensor was damaged when brakes were changed.

 

[Jenno]

Well tomorrow for sure I am taking it in. My hubby is going to take off work to follow me up to get the diagnostic and repair.

For ***** and giggles, the check engine light was on when we bought it. The guy had a checker and ran it, it said a cesor was off. Crank censor.....So I took the truck to Advanced Auto to have them do a diagnostic, got the crank censor and now an EGR Valve.

No clue what that does, they didn't have any instock and they charge $119 for the valve.....

I'm starting to regret my hubby getting this truck It's the very first used car/truck we've ever bought.

 

[MadExplorer93]

The crank sensor is to help with timing, nothing to do with braking and if it is out then timing would be out as well.

I can't say it any better then this description.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crank_sensor



The EGR is to help with emmisons and if it is bad you will get a rough idle or dirty/plugged, it can at times be cleaned.

I quote and i thank:

http://autorepair.about.com/od/glossary/gr/def_egr-valve.htm

"The EGR valve helps your car more efficiently and completely burn fuel by recirculating a portion of your exhaust and running it through the combustion process again. This results in a cooler, more complete burn of the fuel which decreases you car's noxious emissions by prohibiting the formation of some harmful gases."

 

[Jenno]

Ahhh Thanks Mad.....Makes sense....

I will post the results of the brake issue. I'm seriously hoping it's something really minor but I have a feeling it's not. Wish me luck.

 

[Jenno]

Ok, update time....

I have had the truck in the shop twice now.

Took it to PepBoys, they did a engine diagnostics and brake inspection. Cost $97 bucks.
Brakes and Rotors are fine. Great news. The sound is still there. They seem to think it's the ABS system...Said if it's not in the way of stopping the truck no issues at this time.

They ran the test, came back that the Cam sensor valve thingy is broke, needs to be replaced and only the dealer can do it because it needs to be resynched. They think the EGR is just sticking and needs to be flushed as at the time, no EGR code came back from the diagnostics. So that's $97 in just a diagnostics.

Took it to the dealer......they wanted to do ANOTHER diagnostics $73 to find out exactly what's going on. Come to find out, which we already knew, the Cam sensor thingy needed replaced. Ok...the whole thing with labor came to $594. Picked up the truck, the engine light was off......Yah.........AHHHHH but wait, after driving it 15 miles it came back on......

Called them, *****ed at em.....took it in again this morning, ran ANOTHER test....there is an EGR issue. EGR valve needs replaced as the hose or connector.....$395 more...

So in three days, we've spent almost $1000 in these little repairs.....LABOR sucks....

 

[MadExplorer93]

Ok can i ask how you paid for this 1997 Ex?

If was not a bad price then the $1000.00 in parts and labour was not bad.

At least i hope all the issues are resolved for you now and no more braking issues or suction sounds, engine issues.

Those repairs no doubt needed to be done and will make the engine run better now and mileage should be a lot better now.

Please post back if you have any other issues, check engine light ETC.

The camshaft sensor yes would have needed to be readjusted and its best for a mechanic or ford to do so if no one is mechanically sound to do so with knowledge and tools.

The EGR valve you could have done that yourself or your husband as it is a very easy thing to replace. I was hoping to see a post before you got whatever done on it so we here at the forum could of told you how to do it.

Always remember were all here for all members to help them.

 

[Jenno]

I appreciate it Mad, trust me he wanted to do the EGR himself, but really not knowing what in the EGR system needed replaced....The guy at the dealer said it could be anything, the censor could be good, just could be clogged, the hose might just needed to be replaced, etc. Luckily, we already bought the cam sensor so we saved on that. They just installed our part. And so we were just going by the assumption that there were different sections per say of the EGR area...if that makes sense....lol

We paid 3600 for the truck cash.

It runs alot better now. Drove it for 120 miles today and so far the engine light stayed off and nothing out of the ordinary. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[MadExplorer93]

I appreciate it Mad, trust me he wanted to do the EGR himself, but really not knowing what in the EGR system needed replaced....The guy at the dealer said it could be anything, the censor could be good, just could be clogged, the hose might just needed to be replaced, etc. Luckily, we already bought the cam sensor so we saved on that. They just installed our part. And so we were just going by the assumption that there were different sections per say of the EGR area...if that makes sense....lol

We paid 3600 for the truck cash.

It runs alot better now. Drove it for 120 miles today and so far the engine light stayed off and nothing out of the ordinary. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

That was a very decent price as many 1997 run about $4800.00-$5000.00 range (depends on shape and miles) so the extra amount you paid to have this work done is not bad at all and i hope all will be well for you guys for sometime.

Yes the EGR valve is a totally different part and area from the CamSensor and they were correct it could have been either or those problems with the EGR and it sounds like the replace the EGR which in itself is a bit expense.

Great to hear all is well, no lights = good truck =