To-Do List Done

[356]

I recently picked up a 1999 Ex Sport 4x4 for winter use. The truck came with some known issues, and a few unknown, "to do" list items.
1) Shift indicator was off (R was N, D was at 2, etc...)
2) Cigar lighter did not work
3) Windshield washer did not work
4) Chime was going off in a series of 5 "five beeps."
5) Left side, dash lights, not working
6) Needed two tires immediately
7) Drivers side-view mirror broken

The "unknowns" that were discovered once I got into things included:
8) Airbag light on (3-7 code)
9) CEL on (code 1071)
10) Oil was more like burnt "black death"...last changed in 2007 according to the filter date.

Through this site, I was able to figure out how to fix the dash-lights, replace the burnt out "airbag light," fix the 3-7 airbag code (easy fix!), fix the shift indicator and find a vacume leak causing the 1071 CEL code.

Now with fresh oil, two new fuses (lighter and washers), no CEL or other warning lights, and the tire/mirror issue fixed, the truck is working fine.

With 172,900 miles, I am sure it will have some issues, but hopefully it will get me through a couple of winters. So far, I have about 8 hours invested in fixing the truck (purchased for $1700) and have put about 1000 miles on it, about half in the snow.

 

[kamikaze_fish]

Sounds like you're really on the way to a nice ex and good job on bringing good life back to it. Just curious, what did you find on the dash lights? I'm having the same problem.

 

[356]

Sounds like you're really on the way to a nice ex and good job on bringing good life back to it. Just curious, what did you find on the dash lights? I'm having the same problem.

The yellow pig-tail wire under the passenger seat. Apparently, the end-cap is prone to corrosion...I simply unplugged it and re-plugged it and the light went off.

 

[Pckid212]

How did you fix the shift indicator? Mine has the same problem.

 

[2000StreetRod]

5 sets of 5 chimes

If you've solved the 5 sets of 5 chimes I'd like to know what you did. I've been plagued with them for the last few weeks. I tried the procedure described in the owner's manual for disabling the seat belt reminder but it had no effect. I suspect that there is a problem with the seat belt buckled electrical connection but haven't got around to investigating.

 

[coppe]

If you've solved the 5 sets of 5 chimes I'd like to know what you did. I've been plagued with them for the last few weeks. I tried the procedure described in the owner's manual for disabling the seat belt reminder but it had no effect. I suspect that there is a problem with the seat belt buckled electrical connection but haven't got around to investigating.

do a search for clockspring, thats the secondary airbag alarm, once the airbag bulb is blown, the alarm takes it´s place. You might need to replace the airbag light, and the clockspring.

 

[coppe]

How did you fix the shift indicator? Mine has the same problem.

you need to remove the plastic covers around the steering wheel, and you´ll find the shifter cable, and it has some sort of round and round adjuster (kindda like a tracking adjuster in vcr´s or wire tension adjusters), just give it several turns and it will be fixed. If the plastic pieces are broken you might need to replace it.

 

[2000StreetRod]

airbag warning

do a search for clockspring, thats the secondary airbag alarm, once the airbag bulb is blown, the alarm takes it´s place. You might need to replace the airbag light, and the clockspring.

Thanks for the help! Since you mentioned it I noticed that my airbag light does not illuminate when the ignition key is turned to ON. My horn and cruise control still work so I don't think it's the clockspring but now, thanks to you, I know where to start looking.

 

[dmc80]

shifter adjust

If it is broken you can use a wire tie to make up the difference in space the tensioner is not fixing. there is a writeup on this somewhere.

 

[356]

How did you fix the shift indicator? Mine has the same problem.

I followed instructions at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198087&highlight=shift+drive+selector+indicator

 

[356]

If you've solved the 5 sets of 5 chimes I'd like to know what you did. I've been plagued with them for the last few weeks. I tried the procedure described in the owner's manual for disabling the seat belt reminder but it had no effect. I suspect that there is a problem with the seat belt buckled electrical connection but haven't got around to investigating.

The 5 in 5 chime tells you your airbag warning light is burnt out. You will need to remove the instrument panel and change the bulb. It took about 1 hour (first timer) and you need to go through all of the steps. Since the bulb is not available (readily) I used the one from the fuel reset location. The "bulb holders" are whitish colored for the small bulbs (warning lights) and black for the 194LL (readily available) dash lights. Here is the link...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151311&highlight=replace+dash+bulb

 

[coppe]

Thanks for the help! Since you mentioned it I noticed that my airbag light does not illuminate when the ignition key is turned to ON. My horn and cruise control still work so I don't think it's the clockspring but now, thanks to you, I know where to start looking.

you´re welcome, that´s what we´re here for, chech and clean the contacts in the sensors under the front seats, sometimes just disconnecting and cleaning them does the trick, also the connection in the bumper for the airbag deploy sensor or whatever it´s called, and have the truck scanned to see if there´s any airbag codes, next thing could be the srs airbag module or computer, but also have your clockspring checked, i´ve seen some of them just screw up a couple of connections first before braking down completely.

 

[356]

If it is broken you can use a wire tie to make up the difference in space the tensioner is not fixing. there is a writeup on this somewhere.

That is what I had to do...I used a plastic tie strap to secure the broken thumbwheel.

 

[rsqdvr]

The 5 in 5 chime tells you your airbag warning light is burnt out. You will need to remove the instrument panel and change the bulb. It took about 1 hour (first timer) and you need to go through all of the steps. Since the bulb is not available (readily) I used the one from the fuel reset location. The "bulb holders" are whitish colored for the small bulbs (warning lights) and black for the 194LL (readily available) dash lights. Here is the link...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151311&highlight=replace+dash+bulb

Damn!! I wish I had found this earlier. I have been annoyed for months now because that 5 in 5 alarm would go off constantly, when i started it and again every 30 minutes. I tried everything that I could think of to get it to stop, but it never would. I ended up taking the instrument cluster out this weekend to change the light in the lower left corner...if I had known I would have changed to airbag light as well. To get the chime to stop I ended up removing the stereo, disconnecting and removing the GEM, and disabling the sound generator in there. Worked like a charm but sounds like a step I could have avoided.