Problems with my 1995 Aerostar XLT 3.0L.

[top4874]

I didn't want to make several threads about different issues so I will try to cover them all in this one post.

1. I have this weird sound coming from my left front wheel. From a stand still it starts as almost a slight scrubbing sound. As I accelerate it gets louder and at 30+mph it almost sounds like a click. I thought it might be the brakes so I changed them.(They needed to be changed anyway) The sound didn't go away. Today I took the wheel off to see if I may have installed the inside brake pad retaining clip wrong thinking it might be rubbing on the rotor. I didn't see any sign of anything wrong. Pad was secure and the clip was installed properly. Could it be a wheel bearing going bad? Really puzzling to me.

2. My airbag light flashes all the time. It will flash once then pause for 5 seconds, then it will flash 3 times and then pause for 8-10 seconds and then repeat the pattern. Schematics are a foreign language to me, so referencing one has been little help.

3. During the summer if I try to run the A/C, the water temp will slowly rise until it overheats. This has always been a problem since I purchased the van. I have replaced all the hoses, the waterpump, thermostat, and the radiator. Still always the same issue. Not really something that will matter to me since I like to drive with the windows down in the warm parts of the year, but sometimes my wife will have to drive it and she insists on using the A/C. Any Ideas? I have gone to great lengths to remedy this one but keep striking out.

4. Sliding door is stuck shut. My daughter slammed it really hard one day and I have tried everything that I saw listed in the sticky to get it open. i have learned to live without access from that door. My kids really don't like climbing through the front to get in the back seats though, but they have learned to deal with it as well.

I really love this van. I am not embarrassed to drive a minivan. It has been very good to me and she is closing in on 300k miles. If anyone could help me with one or all of these problems, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Jobie]

First one sounds like a wheel bearing...One usually changes the wheel bearings and the seals, when they replace the brakes...
Second one is what is called a "clock spring" failure...This is located behind the steering wheel and you can research how to fix it on these boards...
Overheating like what you describe sounds like you are losing pressure in your cooling system...It is possible you could have a blown head gasket...
The sliding door issue is another problem that is common and is addressed on this site...Use the search on these boards to fix the problem...

 

[BrooklynBay]

1. Check the wheel bearing.
2. The light is flashing a trouble code number. Check # 105 in my list of useful threads.
3. Check the fan clutch, and the coolant temperature sending unit for the temperature guage.
4. Remove the panel on the sliding door. It has a couple of sections. See if you could move the release lever manually on the latch. It sounds like a rod popped off.

 

[Jose A.]

you can also try gently kicking the door from the inside, at the rear of the door, near the rear radio speaker, with someone outside pulling the door handle as you kick it. (no need to get rough with the kicking, just do it gently). As a last resort if that doesn't work, remove the lower half of the door upholstery trim panel as suggested. (you'll need to remove the inside door handle too).

replacing the clock spring: you need to disconnect the battery to discharge the Air Bag Sensors before messing with the steering wheel cover, wait at least 30 minutes before removing the steering wheel cover, otherwise the air bag can explode in your face.

 

[Adam_tinkerer]

I had a similar problem running the ac in my 95. Turned out, the heater control valve was leaking. It's on the left side, near the firewall, next to the ac blower box. Took some time to figure it out, since it would run down the inner fender, and drip off the bumper! -Adam

 

[loosenut349]

You only have to wait two minuets after disconnecting the battery before you remove the airbag module. And after it is removed, be sure to lay it down face up.