Still falling on it's face while making hard left turns.

[Lefty2053]

I had the Explorer in the shop for Transmission service ,check alignment and to fix my temp sensor as the car shows below C on the gauge all the time. I also asked him to figure out the left hand turn problem.

He changed out the temp sensor and it still shows below C and the left hand turn problem he has no idea what is causing that. He changed out the single wire sensor and I think I read it should be the 2 wire sensor. I don't know I am not a mechanic and I guess he isn't either.

I really would like some ideas on the falling on it's face for a split second while making fast left hand turns. The shop guy mentioned a Tip over switch. I know where that is and it is either tripped or not. Could it be a problem? Another name would be the Inertia / Fuel Cutoff Switch. I would also know why the sensor didn't fix the gauge.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Chikar]

Looking at the Ford Workshop Manual on DVD it shows a single wire on the temp sensor with Job 1 date of July 29/96 or later. An online manual at ebscohost.com shows a two-wire sensor. Go figure.

But I'd think if the mechanic put the wrong one on the connector wouldn't fit.

But I do wonder about that mechanic. He changed a temperature sender and didn't check to see if the gauge problem was solved??? I'm a computer tech and that's NOT the way good techs (or mechanics) do things. Always, always, always make sure your "fix" actually fixed the problem.

Looking at the wiring diagrams I think you've likely got a bad temperature gauge. It's a really simple circuit. 12V comes into the instrument cluster from fuse 11 in the fuse panel, passes through the gauge, and then to the temperature sender. If the coolant temp is low the sender resistance is high, very little current flows and the gauge needle stays low. I doubt fuse 11 is blown as it also feeds power to the fuel gauge.

I'm admittedly guessing at this one but the stumble on fast left turns might be the fuel pump. I understand the pump is on the left side of the fuel tank. In a straight line or right hand turn the fuel level over the pump helps force fuel through the pump and lines to the engine. In a sharp left turn the fuel moves to the right side of the tank and the probably weak pump can't keep fuel pressure up.

You might also see this problem if the fuel filter is partially clogged and a good pump is trying to force fuel through the filter.

Do you see the same problem when the tank is full or does it only happen when the tank is below a particular level?

 

[rickybobby]

the temp guage could be just dirty threads, the sensor grounds through the threads, so any corrosion or thread sealer will cause low readings. I fought that problem on my 94 until the day i scrapped it

 

[Lefty2053]

Looking at the Ford Workshop Manual on DVD it shows a single wire on the temp sensor with Job 1 date of July 29/96 or later. An online manual at ebscohost.com shows a two-wire sensor. Go figure.

He changed out the single wire and I have read on here someone changed that one out once and still had the same problem until they changed out the 2 wire connector.

Yea I also am a Computer tech and if I don't fix the problem I don't charge for it. Of course that never happens unless the person don't want to put the money into the parts.

Strange thing happened yesterday after I was looking up that Inertia Switch. I went out and found it which it is on the passengers side of the car under the dash. I played around with that button on the top of it and then took the car out for a drive. I went around the block making left hand turns only and tried my hardest to get the stumble and it never happened. I read there is a ball in that switch and possibly it pushed up the button just enough to cause a problem. Time will tell on that though. But if it is a faulty Switch they are only $19 from Rock Auto. I will check into the fuel pump and maybe carry a spare one of those and the Inertia Switch around with me.

Thanks for the help on this it is more of an annoyance than a problem. I just need to remember to let all the traffic go by before pulling out on a left turn.

 

[Chikar]

That's interesting regarding the inertia switch. I understood once they "tripped" they had to be manually reset, like a house circuit breaker.

Of course anything that's old enough isn't necessarily going to work as designed.

 

[colintrax]

^ try cleaning the MAF, costs almost nothing and it isn't hard. My cousin had a problem with this (but turning right) ended up being the MAF. Not sure how, but it was.

 

[Lefty2053]

^ try cleaning the MAF, costs almost nothing and it isn't hard. My cousin had a problem with this (but turning right) ended up being the MAF. Not sure how, but it was.

Hey I can do that. I even have Dialectic grease to put on it.

 

[gonenuke]

Hey I can do that. I even have Dialectic grease to put on it.

DONT USE DIALECTIC GREASE!!!! :thumbdwn:

Use MAF cleaner, its a spray CRC makes it. Look for a write up on cleaning the MAF.

 

[Lefty2053]

DONT USE DIALECTIC GREASE!!!! :thumbdwn:

Use MAF cleaner, its a spray CRC makes it. Look for a write up on cleaning the MAF.

I have used Dialectic Grease on my MAF on my VW TDI for a few years now. Seems to work fine on it. I was getting a sputtering at start up all the time and then I put some on the contacts and haven't had the problem since.

 

[gonenuke]

On the wire connectors its OK. Just dont use it on the thin wire that is inside.

 

[Lefty2053]

On the wire connectors its OK. Just dont use it on the thin wire that is inside.

I forgot I do use Deoxit D5 on the Maf as well. SO I dont just use the Grease.
Deoxit D5 Dissolves Corrosion,Improves Contact and Protects Surfaces. Musicians use it on Guitars and such.

 

[colintrax]

So did it work?

 

[Lefty2053]

So did it work?

Haven't taken it out for a drive yet. I will soon and let you know.

 

[Lefty2053]

Just took it for a drive and I tried to make it hesitate and I couldn't get it to do it. SO maybe it worked and maybe it will do it again. After next week I will know for sure I will try and drive it more often and see what happens.

This is mostly just a Fishing vehicle and isn't used a lot. Looks like a good time to go fishing.Isn't it always a good time?

 

[colintrax]

Alright, sounds good to me! Hope you got it fixed

 

[Lefty2053]

Update

Have driven the Explorer quite a bit lately and I am glad to report it in't falling on it's face on the left hand turns any more.

After the Transmission Service it shifts better then ever.

I do believe the cleaning of the MAF fixed the hesitation on left turns. Don't know why other then resistance from a bad connection maybe.
Drove about 100 miles yesterday and not once did it do it.

 

[colintrax]

Sweet, glad its fixed!

 

[Lefty2053]

Sweet, glad its fixed!

I still can't believe cleaning the MAF did it but it must have been that. I use a Spray can made for Electric devices called DeoxIT D5. It works great for corrosion.