vibration when turning from stop to around corner

[03centexplorer]

I bought an 03 cenntenial edition Explorer four days ago with 39,500 miles. On the test drive I saw that the info center was saying tire pressure sensor fault. The salesman said it was a broken sensor. I figured that was a small problem considering the price I was getting. The test drive went well and I didnt notice any noises or potential mechanical problems. You could eat off the motor it was so clean. I asked the guy several times if the vehicle had been checked for any problems. He assured us it had and that it passed with flying colors. He said he even used it for a week and was amazed at how smooth it was. So I bought it.. I am FORD to the bone. My grandfather was a plant supervisor for Ford, 35 years seniority. Leaving the dealership I felt a vibration turning out into the street. I felt like rough pavement so I assumed thats what it was. Later it did it again. By the next day when I drove it again I noticed it more. It is a vibration at slow turns. I took it back to the dealer to complete paperwork and I asked him about it. He said it was normal. when I got home I called a different dealer and they said that it is not normal. The third day the 4x4 high light flashes whe I push 4x4 auto.Then I called the dealer and said he needed to take a look at it. I have no warranty but he offered to look at it and then see what he can do. When we took it in the service tech in a half hour determined it is a clutch in the rear end making the vibration and uneven tread wear between the front tires and the back causing the tire pressure sensor to fault causing the truck stay in 4x4 high. Now they seem to be avoiding us. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Ford pride being injured in Michigan....

 

[tbe2002]

If it is stuck in 4x4 then I am am going to say that it may be the 4x4 module. Do a search around here it is very common in the 02+ explorers. The module is not cheap though but it is easy to replace. It is located right behind the glove box attached to the blower motor housing. You might try eighter pulling the fuse for the 4x4 or unpluging the module.

 

[White97Jimmy]

What is up with the group of MI people with problems with their explorers over the last week?

 

[ramonerl]

03centexplorer: I have a 2004 XLT I bought new and I think I am having the same problem with mine as you are with yours. Whenever I start from a stop and turn while accelerating I get this "rumble" from the front end. My gas mileage seems to be off too. I think mine is stuck in 4x4. Don't know why. I plan to take it in this week to see if that's really the problem. Never had a 4x4 before so I'm new to this concept. I'll post what I find out concerning this problem.

 

[4MYBOYZ]

ME TOO! Just bought an '02 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Binding from the front end when starting from a dead stop and turning. Brought it in to the dealer today. We'll see what they come back with tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. I wonder what the Lexus dealer will say when I call to complain. I bought the truck last saturday, 4/21/06. It feels like the truck is in 4x4 LOW even though it is in Auto 4x4.

 

[redlineunlimitd]

Its the track lock binding i have a 02 and it was doing the same thing got it back today! .... i had the extended warranty so it was covered but it would have cost about 650 bucks

 

[4MYBOYZ]

redlineunlimited solution

redlineunlimited...what did the stealership do to fix your explorer? what is a trac lock?

I get mine back tomorrow so i'll reply tomorrow.

 

[redlineunlimitd]

the track lock is in the rear end basically when you turn the corner the outer wheel spins faster that the inside wheel so the trac loc has clutches in there so they can spin at different speeds for cornering... otherwise the inner wheel would bind... the dealer said he has a few guys out there running around that didn't have the warranty so they didn't fix it he said it was more of an a annouance then anything and if left unfixed it would have given me no trouble....according to him anyway

 

[redlineunlimitd]

Oh and to fix it they put the new clutches in there

 

[4MYBOYZ]

well, i hope i don't have the same problem as you! the stealership installed new speed sensors on both transfer cases and is installing a new 4x4 module. i have searched MANY of the forums here and haven't read anything about the clutch that you speak of. I will do some searching now, but I hope when I pick up my vehicle tomorrow that my problem is fixed. I'll let you know.

 

[FordLover]

First off, never let a salesman diagnose a vehicle for you. Their job is to sell you something, not diagnose issues with the vehicle, that's the mechanic's job. I've never met a salesman at a dealership that knew more about a vehicle than I did.

yep, like everyone else says, I'm guessing your 4x4 is engaging at low speed, probably a defective module. No idea what the tire pressure fault is.
Good luck witht

 

[CalixEros]

Check this thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1429415#post1429415
and see if that sounds like it could be the problem.

 

[redlineunlimitd]

Well mine was the clutch pack in the trac lock i would have a vibration come from the rear end at low speed turns. i might have jumped the gun at the diagnosis when i heard that there was a vibration and it was when he was turning and my **** was in the shop for the same very thing oh well lets hope it gets fixed for him ether way

 

[4MYBOYZ]

redlineunlimited

Redlineunlimited, was your vibration coming from the front or the back? For some reason, I don't want to admit that I bought a used vehicle that has TROUBLE. I test drove the vehicle and put it thru a lot of tests. We drove 4 hours home and didn't have any trouble. We then drove the vehicle the next 2 days (city and highway) and didn't have any trouble. We then started having trouble with the front end binding/ceasing/engaging lock the vehicle was in 4 wheel drive on pavement. I had my 2 speed sensors replaced on both transfer cases and my 4x4 module replaced. I got the vehicle back and it appeared that it was finally fixed. I was then driving down the highway and all of the sudden I saw a HUGE cloud of white smoke from the back of my vehicle. I pulled over and there was a lot of smoke and a bad smell. I had the SUV towed to the stealership and it turns out that the oiler filter was 'double gasketed'. So, whoever did the last oil change removed the oil filter and didn't realize that the gasket stayed on the grooves, and then put a new oil filter on and didn't realize again that the previous gasket was still in place. So I drove 4 hours after I purchased the vehicle with no problem. I then drove the vehicle for 2 weeks and then finally the oil blows thru the 2 gaskets. Has anyone seen the movie Money Pit? Now I drove the vehicle home and I feel a shuddering in the steering wheel when I drive slow and turn back and forth. Turns out that there is ANOTHER TSB for this problem. I wish I would have researched the 02 Explorer before I bought one. Other than that, I LOVE THE SUV...

 

[DVRDOWN]

I have an 02 XLT and I had the same problem with mine, it ended up being the rear clutch packs causing the problem. Long story short the dealership ended up replacing about 4,000 dollars worth of parts and spent multiple hours on the phone with tech as Ford coorporate to figure out the problem. Luckily i still had the powertrain warenty and it covered almost all of that.