Mass air flow sensor failed, leaving us stranded on the freeway when we were on our way to pick up my girlfriend's father.
There is no four wheel drive and we cannot figure it out.
Other than that, absolutely nothing.
We love this thing!!! The leather is in perfect condition even with our 3 kids.
It was pretty funny though, when the mass air flow sensor went. We were doing about 80 on the freeway when it bucked. My girlfriend was driving and started freaking out. That was a show. Then it bucked again so I looked out the window and it was blowing black smoke out the exhaust. So we pulled over and parked it, didn't turn it off yet. It ran very very rough and would bog down to about 400 RPM, but didn't die. So then we shut it off and had my dad come pick us up.
We still have yet to figure out what's wrong with the 4 wheel drive. I went and replaced the motor on the back of the transmission, but then found out there was no power going to it. So then we tried 5 other push button modules, and still nothing. But there is power going to the button, which is weird. My daughter's boyfriend said he can hear his relay in the back of his Explorer when his 4 wheel drive is engaged, but I hear nothing.
Other than that, this is an awesome rig!!! Great in the mountains when the 4 wheel drive did work. It has a great ride for an SUV and the power is good also. It's awfully easy to spin the tires, because the original owneer decided he wanted a 351 from the factory.
Overall it is a realy fun vehicle with plenty of accomodations. Does any one have any ideas on the 4 wheel drive? Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
Explorers didn't come with 351s factory. You probably had a bronco.
No it was an explorer it said it right on the back... no the origional owner paid a lot of money to have the factory put a 351 in it. kind of like the old diesel suburbans, wasnt an option, but if you paid extra they will put one in for you.
Just an update, starting 2 days ago, it started over heating terribly. on my way to work, the needle started to climb on the freeway, which I find odd. by the time I got to work, the radiator was overflowing and cooking. so I let it sit for an hour and topped it off. well about 20 miles down the road (i work at the port so I didn't get any work so I was sent home), the needle was buried past the red line. I had to pull over and let it cool down as it was pinging and clanking and had no power left. maybe 5 miles down the road the needle was buried again... and the cycle goes on and on til I got it hiome. I flushed the radiator and put new antifreeze stuff in it and thought it would be OK. but it wasnt. lol lol lol. my luck. I am going to change the thermosdat tomorrow along with flushing the radiator, new spark plugs, oil change (I'm hoping that the sludge isn't too bad) and new oil pan. hopefully this will solve the problem.
Sorry bout you luck, but you just cooked the motor!! No amount of plug changes and oil changes will help you now! Whenever you overheat the block, NEVER drive any further until the problem is fixed. Get it towed next time...
Well...new oil and everything and it runs like a champ
been runnin fine since I replaced everything.
Original poster: update!
Everything so far has been well, except for now, when I turn my heater on high, when I'm stopped at a stop light, the lights in the dash dim and the rpm's dip momentarily. the battery meter dips also, and rather a lot. it has also done this a few times when just shifting into drive, this is separate from the heater settings. anyone know what is causing this?
So much for wonderful reliablity, but hey its got 196000 on her!
-I've gotten tired of it warping and destroying brake pads every 5000 miles, so yesterday it got new lines, calipers, rodors, the whole nine yards
-new alternator
-rear hatch handle broke, repaired
-new heater blower fan as the other one came loose suddenly and jammed
-serviced and fixed 4 wheel drive issue
all of this for a wapping 2 grand
now shes good for another 100000 miles!
now, i had all this done in one day, so its like "before and after"
Good lord! All of a sudden this thing is literally falling apart!
-the front passenger door doesn't unlock very well with power
-the driver's door handle came out in my hand when I was closing it the other day
-transmission had an interesting time shifting into/out of reverse
-shocks are gone
I can't wait till I get my new rig, so I can trash this one.
Lets add these few things to the problem list.
Drivers door lock (outside) snapped and the key just turns in the lock, drivers seat belt doesn't click closed unless pressed. passenger electric seat moves back and forwards when it wants to. passenger door lock is very loose and I'm guessing within the next few months that one will give out too.
Well, I guess you get what you paid for. It's not exactly a Range Rover or 4Runner (not that either of those are great).
Its been a great vehicle for me and my family. these things seem to go at 100% forever and then within a short span of time start going down hill.
If you really have a 351 in it, don't get rid of it, fix it man. Don't junk it because it's a rare SUV you have there. Whatever breaks down, just fix it.
If you have to park it, well park it and fix it slowly but surely, but don't get rid of it. Trust me.
Strange, I came on here just as this last comment was posted. I still have the rig, and besides a few more tiny problems, things have settled down. Still runs fine and I've done a few modifications to the engine and transmission to improve power and fuel economy, as well as new shocks.
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