Worried about my truck...

[ccornell87]

So to start, I've got an 03 Explorer. I've had it for about 3-4 years and aside from a new alternator, battery and the typical oil change I've not had much done to it. Here is my issue...well, I should say my multiple issues. I purchased the car in the spring and aside from the leaking differentials and the God awful squealing nose on the highway (which the dealer immediately got corrected both in the front and back) I had minimal problems. Being a single girl I ran it pretty rough the next couple years with minimal attention, simply because of both the lack of funds and knowledge. Winter came the first year and the check engine light came on, starring it needed a new thermostat. Replaced both that and the censor and no luck. Car still runs freezing cold (quarter mark up?) and heater never really gets beyond more than lukewarm. So, there's problem one. Then, I've got a Finn little issue with it in reverse. Doesn't do it very often, but occasionally when it's cold and rarely on a warm day it will either die out do a scary jolt backwards when put into reverse. Transmission issue? It also hates buttons being pushed...like the windows up or down...maybe it's me just being a girl, but I didn't know lights were supposed to doom so much when I just rolled my window up...but honestly that's the last of my concerns. I've had my car diagnosed multiple times, once even paying over $150 for him just to tell me that he was at a loss and to take it to the dealership to see if they were able to figure it out. Anyone offer some insight a to what it could be before I drop money I don't have into fixing problems that don't correct the issues? I'm a newbie and completely hopeless when it comes to cars...be gentle. I'm really wanting my car to last me a few more years until i can get some saved forsomething newer. Thanks in advance!!

 

[mikey4563]

welcome to the forum! your heater issue could be your heater core acting up or going out. and thats a time consuming fix but pretty spendy. It could also be your blend door actuator. which is partly responsible for climate control in your vehicle. Do you hear a clicking sound ever when you start up your car? one that comes from the dash area?

as for the the reverse it could be a number of things. the transmission yes but that usually comes with more issues than just a jolt when put into reverse. some other things it could be are"

-shift linkage: a cable that tells the transmission what gear to go into (EX, Park, Reverse , Neutral, etc) if there is something wrong with that like if its going bad or broken it could cause a jolt like you are describing.

-Rear diff: If your rear differential is having issues again the jolt could be caused by this. Do you hear a humming sound when driving at higher speeds coming from the rear?

unfortunately with this year of explorer there are quite a few things that can go wrong but if you keep up on your maintenance and dont let problems get worse then you will have yourself a good long lasting truck. how many miles do you have so far on it?