Many problems

Tiny
SWIFFTY
  • MEMBER
  • FORD
Hi,

i bought a 2003 Xplorer xlt with 40k miles on it and since a got it i'm noticing o few things going wrong with it. I shipped it to africa where I live and taking it to a ford dealer will turn out to be way to expensive. My major problem occurs when I slow down and try to pick up speed again by stepping on the gas pedal. When I do so, the car surges and acts like a "low rider", idle goes up and down and seems like i'm running out of gas and that it's going to shut off. This happens also when I slow down and make a turn. I was suspecting the MAF sensor or the O2 sensor. If so is it possible to clean them before replacement? Or maybe is it the fuel pump? What do you think? By the way, my service engine light is on.

My 2nd problem is electrical, when I put the car on "P", and I turn on the fog lamps, idle drops and car stalls. It happens even when driving, when I turn high beam on or fog lamps on, my driver side low beam gets very weak and my left turn signal on dash board lightens up (not flashing, it lights up green). I changed my factory light bulbs when I got the car and replaced them with HID looking like bulbs that produce a white light like xenon (it has nothing to do with xenon, the bulb has a blue coating on it that filters the colors and makes it white, changed them back but same problems occurs) do you think having the light getting weak or the car stalling when I turn on fog lamp on Park can and up being a huge costly repair? Or can it simply be a weak battery, altenator, a bad light switch. Or maybe something else? Please tell me all you know about these matters so I can check them one by one until I find the problem. Last thing, I live in a country where gasoline is very bad quality we run on non leaded fuel and it's very dusty here. Do you recommend a fuel line cleaner or injector cleaner?

thanks for your answers, i'll try to make it shorter next time lol!
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 AT 5:01 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
TRASHMAN68
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1996 ford explorer
5.0 engine
134382 mileage
the dome light stays on
door ajar light and alarm go off all the time
door locks try to lock about every30 to 45 sec.
Could this be a sensor problem
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
RUDPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 224 POSTS
Swiffty, it will be hard to pinpoint the problems without getting the trouble codes read on the computer which is making your service engine light come on. Get them scanned if you can. I would start by changing the air and fuel filters and cleaning the throttle body and checking the throttle body for leaks. The O2 sensor can't be cleaned. The MAF sensor could be cleaned depending what type it is. If it has 2 wires with a resistor in the mouth, you can carefully spray it with throttle cleaner, not carburetor cleaner. The MAF sensor is fragile. Do not touch the resistors with anything, just spray them.

You can check the voltage output of the alternator with a multimeter. With the car running check voltage on the battery. It should be about 13.9 volts. Turn on your headlights, radio, blower. It should still be reading about the same. Or you can take the alternator out and bring it to a shop to be tested.
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
RUDPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 224 POSTS
Trashman 68, you need to post your own question, not after someone elses. It gets confusing. You need to clean and lubricate all of your door light switches. Spray them with brake cleaner and work them in and out. Then spray them with silicone spray and work them in and out until they move freely.
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 AT 9:40 PM

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