Several Problems...PLEASE HELP

[Livnoutdoorsxd9]

Hey guys, i recently purchased a '98 Explorer sport from a used car lot due to a drunk lady smashing into my old vehicle. Since then, i've been experiencing several problems and would like to ask some veterans for some wisdom. Within a week of purchase, i had to replace my driver side spindle hub which turned out to be the least of my problem, although the abs light has been on since. It came with a new cable but i'd imagine that there isn't a wrong way to connect that wire.
The next problem is that my key only works on my passenger door(most of the time) which i didn't see as a problem until my power lock on the driver side door stopped working. when i hit the unlock button inside or on the fob the lock post raises slightly but refuses to unlock. i cannot open the door whatsoever so i have to crawl over the center console from the passenger side. i have a hard time believing that its the actuator because the lock is responsive, just not enough to pop the lock open. in the past i could manipulate the door open by clicking the unlock button several times, however that method has failed. This is a complete hassle and needs to be resolved.
The final problem is with the radio display fading and not coming back on unless its severely cold. i've read posts on this and plan to send it to trevor from pacific audio.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated! I hope i didn't buy a lemon because i like this vehicle a lot!

-Gilly

 

[Dan Whitaker]

As for your your door lock problem the actuator is riveted to the door. The rivet will break over time causing the problrm you are having.

Is your driver side door handle floppy as well? The two go hand in hand.

For your ABS have the code read somewhere (Autozone does it for free) to determine what is wrong.

For the radio display search the Explorer Audio sub-forum. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9 It has been coverd many times.

 

[winsorcoke]

The speed sensor wire will only go on one way. First thing I would do is get under their again and check the wire. Unplug it and plug it back in... Also check for bad wires. It is possible that you got a bad sensor I guess.


As for your door locks. I have the same exact problem. I'm going out to investigate it. I'll let you know if I come up with something.

 

[winsorcoke]

Our posts crossed. I'll also look for the rivet. Thanks.

I didn't know Autozone read ABS codes. I thought they only read engine codes?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Our posts crossed. I'll also look for the rivet. Thanks.

I didn't know Autozone read ABS codes. I thought they only read engine codes?

Maybe they can't. I thought everything was read from the port under the dash.

 

[winsorcoke]

I believe the ABS has a separate port.

 

[Livnoutdoorsxd9]

the handle on my door is kind of floppy. i called the ford dealership and they told me to spray some lubricant in the crack near the latching mechanism with a straw. after doing that, i used the inside handle in conjunction with the unlock button to finally open it. tonight me and my dad are going to look at it. any suggestions on the repair of the handle/ rivet?

thanks for the help so far guys, you're making a difficult problem tolerable

 

[winsorcoke]

I found what my problem with the lock is. You know when you lift up on the handle and try to unlock the door and it won't until the handle is released? Well that's pretty much what mine is doing, but all by itself. I found a little broken spring in the latch that I assume is supposed to "pull" the rod back up with the door handle. Not sure how to fix it, but at least I know what's wrong with it now. Even if I got the latch out, I don't know if I could get all those rods back on it

 

[gijoecam]

Three simpel and all-too-common problems. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

For the ABS, you may have a bad connection, broken wire, or bad hub. It's possible it was defective, but the only way to know what the problem is would be to have it scanned by the dealer. That'll pinpoint the problem. The rear ABS sensor on the axle is a common failure point, but being that it coincided with the hub change, I'd start there.

The lock issue needs a new latch assembly. It's not terribly difficult to get it apart... just take your time and be gentle with the plastic clips that connect all the linkages. I had the same issue last fall... I spent two weeks waiting for the par, entering and exiting Dukes of Hazzard style.

For the stereo, there are a number of threads. My recommendation is to contact Travis at www.pacificaudiotech.com He does 'em for $60 including return shipping. He did mine after I mangled it a few years ago attempting the repair myself.

Enjoy!

-Joe

 

[Livnoutdoorsxd9]

I found a solution to the lock and loose handle problem, and it costs less than five dollars.
After pulling the panel off and investigating a bit, I found that as Dan said, the handle problem is associated with the lock problem, or vice versa. There is a black rod that is connected to the outside handle. The lower part of this rod is threaded and has a yellow piece of plastic on it. Before doing anything, I grabbed my lock post and tried to move it up and down. I found that it was binding or getting hung up on something. I then applied upward pressure on the bottom of the black rod with the yellow plastic (this caused the outside handle to have tension on it like the other door, or like new again) as I applied this pressure I used my other hand to attempt to move the lock post manually. It worked flawlessly. This showed me that all I need is constant upward pressure on this black rod.
Now to fix this I found a spring that I could use. I made one end of the spring to be a hook, and the other end into a closed circle. I then got in there with my pliers to get the spring hooked in. The anchor point I chose was the L shaped bracket that is between the locking cylinder and the door. There is a small gap right near the crease in this bracket that the spring hook will fit through. I then took the closed circle end and stretched the spring until I could slide the circle over the bottom end (near the yellow plastic piece) black threaded rod. **You may have to play around with the length of the spring so that its not too loose and not too tight.** I then tested the lock with the fob, interior button, and door handle. All worked flawlessly!
So with a little spring, a little work, and a very small amount of time, you can solve the lock/unlock problem, and the floppy door handle, all for less than five bucks!
I need to pick up a different spring because the one I picked (off an old Briggs & Stratton) isn’t quite right, but it still works great. Remember that this is an Explorer, anything less than perfection won’t do.
(I'll take pics when i put the new spring in to help clear up any confusion)

-Gilly