Ford Expedition Maintenance and Repair

raytompkins3 · June 2005

Thanks for the help. I'll get that checked ASAP. I appreciate your quick response to my problem. This is a lot faster that going to some of the mechanics I've tried.

macman246 · June 2005

We had a coolent leak that was dripping on some wires, causing the rough idle.

teldoc · June 2005

Thanks, they finally fixed it yesterday with some codes stored on the computer. It also was one bad sensor and they reverse warming system works great again.

km5 · June 2005

Well let me know if the are able to fix it for you so that I know what I need to do. :confuse: Thanks for the reply.

fx4 · June 2005

Hey, nvbanker and others, what are the pros and cons of 4 corner air suspension
on 2wd in later models? Looking at new 2005 E/B in 2wd.

During test drive the air suspension seemed to have good control, but felt very soft especially compared to my very firm 2004 NBX (4wd off road package). How does air suspension feel in 2wd compare to regular 2wd oil shocked suspensions?

Typical miles before repairs/replacement of air suspension components?

04ebexpy · June 2005

Ok...I've just about had all I can take. I'm at a loss. I've had the car 1 year, with 24k miles, and I'm on my second set of rotors (front) and just had them turned yesterday, with this being the 3rd trip in. The rotors appear to last about 8k before requiring work and then about 4k after that. I've also got some steering wheel shudder in excess of 60 mph - regardless of road conditions - and was told yesterday that it's normal. Umm, yeah, right, normal...

I really love my car but I'm now concerned about safety.

Anyone else out there have these troubles? I wish I had an entire day to search these boards for my answer but I don't.

I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance!

explorerx4 · June 2005

when did these symtoms start? 24k in a year is lot, but not unheard of. how often do the tires get rotated, and do you check pressures? i have read of the 'nibbling' before. maybe here or flatratetechdotcom or bluovalnewsdotcom. try them.

rsjohnson · June 2005

My wife's expy is having a problem starting. When you turn the key in the ignition it sounds to me like the engine has to turn over a couple of extra times before it will start. It always starts, but now the service engine soon light has come on. Does anyone have any ideas what the source of this might be or even better yet a solution???

04ebexpy · June 2005

This is the family vehicle, not a commuter, and we live about 35 miles outside San Diego, so the miles really add up.

The rotors were machined the first time at 8k, replaced around 12k, with the 2nd set machined this past week. I turn o/d off in the city, and if I do any real mountain driving (which is maybe twice a month and a distance of about 12 miles), I downshift to 2nd when warranted. The rotors are showing 'burn' marks but the brake pads are fine. If it were 'driver' error the pads would be exhibiting wear problems. I've asked if it could be 'driver' related - 'not likely' is what a service manager told me.

The tire pressures are checked once every couple of weeks or so, the slow leaker I had has been repaired, and I believe the tires have been rotated twice.

scd · June 2005

On my 2005 Expy, on the first start of the day, the starter grinds for about 2 seconds after the engine starts. It only happens on the first start. Subsequent starts of the engine doesn't generate the same sound. It sounds like the starter gets stuck, engaged to the engine, then disengages. Has anyone had a similar problem? It's under warranty so it's going back to the dealer. Just wondering if I got a bad starter.

rjerome · June 2005

Hi
if you keep reading this forum you will be able to make up your own mind.This forum is GREAT. good luck!

expguy1 · June 2005

The ford dealer says i have a rear pinion seal that is 'leaking pretty badly'. What evidence would there be of this? Would I see a drip spot when i park?

Thanks!

9704expy · June 2005

I may have come upon a viable solution to cleaning the caked on / baked on brake dust from the wheels. Last nite I bought a $3.00 can of brake parts cleaner & used a toothbrush, a rag & my fingers to get the gunk off. There were areas on the wheels where the dust had created thick dark spots, but after a few minutes of cleaner application & some gentle rubbing, the crap is finally gone.

lenr · June 2005

Have an 04 Exp XLT built in November 03. Under load it has a loud drive train noise. It is a low pitched drone that sounds a little like engine noise only 5 times louder. It is some what load dependant showing up when pulling a hill at 80 mph, a steep mountain grade at 70, or a trailer at 60. Letting up on the throttle or pressing down more will make it go away. I thought it was U-joint problems when I first heard it, but the dealer could find nothing wrong (even though I demonstrated the problem to the mechanic). It now seems like the noise is coming from the engine/transmission area. It sounds a little like the engine sounds under low RPM load, only way louder. Any ideas?

roadhog59 · June 2005

I own an '04 EB Expedition and since they don't come equiped with ashtrays, does any one know where to get them? Thanks for responding.

lisak5 · June 2005

I've had my 4x4 NBX Expedition in the shop 2x for odd sounding tranny noises - with no solution. Today, while driving on dry pavement at regular speeds my Advancetrac light started flashing and then I heard a strange noise like the gear wasn't engaged and then it both stopped. After that there was a moment with lack of power while I was on the gas and it just felt wrong after that. I took it right in and left it.

Has anyone had or heard of this kind of thing? I feel like it's in the drive train or the tranny. Help.

lisak5

stevenp1 · June 2005

I sorry to barge in but how do I post a new question ? Thank You

stevenp1 · June 2005

I smell anti-freeze all the time in my 1998 expedition. It just started I don't see any leaks and the windows don't fog up. It is also a/c season funny I would smell it now could it be the a/c evaporator tube getting stinky ?

eddyn818 · June 2005

Hello
I use to own a 2001 expedition I traded it for a 2004 expedition I have been driving the truck for over a year now but I just want a know if anyone else has the same problem but I feel that the truck is more noisier than my 2001 expedition. with all the windows up all the way the engine noise sounds loud. Is this typical on the new expeditions or should I take my truck back to the dealer..other than that the truck is very nice.

bpendleton · June 2005

I have a 99 expedition with the same problem. After several trips to the Ford dealer and other brake shops I was finally able to get this problem repaired. What was found on my car was that the piston on the brake caliper was not releasing the caliper from the rotor completly thus putting grooves in the rotors. After replacing the caliper piston the next time I needed brakes was about 30K miles later. Hopes this helps.

jas1680 · June 2005

I have just recently started having the same problem with my 99 Expedition. I'm was just wondering what you did to solve the problem. My fiance is convinced it is a faulty light.

patrick427 · June 2005

In all fairness, I can not say I've actually seen the navigation system at work. Why? because the 05 KR Exp that I just bought for way more than I wanted to spend doesn't seem to want to read the nav disc. it keeps spitting it out saying unreadable. I had the DVD player on for the kids who, being kids insisted on watching a movie on the maiden voyage. At first the DVD sound just came through the headphones as I wanted. But I tripped something up and it comes through all the speakers. I try to override this but the direction manual is ultimately as clear as mud, or my $2k nav radio is faulty! All it shows is the DVD/CD status screen, occasionally blinking to the main intro 'expedition' screen for a split second. Is this normal for this unit?? I can't for the life of me get the navigation system to come on, which probably is because the flawless CD I insert when pormpted shifts about for awhile and after 10 minutes it comes back saying the disc in unreadable! Why is this 2005 model still CD based?!? OH, to kick myself if this is what Im in for. I had assumed (I know, stupid!) that because the Navigator had a DVD based nav system that it's brother, when all decked out to the tune of a $54k sticker should also be DVD based nav.

Ok, dont mean to sound negative on this, but is this Nav system full of bugs and simply a carryover from older models?? Id be curious to know how many people with this 2k option are not happy. thanks!

patrick427 · June 2005

as the 2005 EB-KR I just bought is pretty much the same as the 04 from what Ive been told, I can personally state that the engine noise on my 05 seems a bit loud. Frankly it even sounds a tad louder than my 05 F-150 if thats possible. Of course Im still trying to figure out why my $30k F-150 Lariat 2x4 has power seats for driver AND passenger and my $55K Expedition King Ranch (keep in mind theres $4400 sales tax and $2500 extended warranty tagged into that figure) doesnt even have a power passenger seat! lol... I could have killed my other half for insisting on the silly DVD player for the back. To me its hardly $1500 worth of anything given that a single 7 inch screen that hangs squarely in the way of the rear view mirror. You could buy a $250 setup from Wal-Mart that has two monitors that hang off the front headrests with DVD player. Just seems ford charging $1500 for about $80 worth parts....well, thats another arguement..lol.

I figured out part of my problem with my overpriced Nav system... it seems one of the [non-permissible content removed] salesman were probably demonstrating the nav system and scratched the disc for my region. the other regions seem to read,, but obviously without My region the thing isnt going to give me a reading from my area. called and complained. hopefully tomorrow I will get a new disc or at least one ordered. Hopefully that will work. Then all I'll need to do is figure out how to operate the Nav, audio CD and the read DVD player all at the same time! heheh

ttimenlondon · July 2005

I am an owner of a 2001 expedition. I would like to know if anyone else has noticed his/her expedition shutting off whenever parked in a declining position? Mine does, and I've noticed that it does that with 1/4 tank of fuel or less. Does this happen b/c all of the fuel moves to one specific area of the tank or some other reason? I would also like to know what a reasonable selling price would be for tires(good condition) and wheels(factory chrome)? I recently replaced mine with custom wheels and tires.

diobolik · July 2005

you should be able to order it as an accessory try going online and looking the place i always go to get my ford parts is www.fordparts-fordparts-fordparts.com or www.y2kford.com they always have the best pricing i have seen. check them out they respond and will ship anywhere fast

harder1 · July 2005

The rear end of my 01 expedition has completly collapsed. My wife says when she put the vehicle in park she could hear air escaping the system at a high rate. Any ideas???

kucimat · July 2005

I just purchased an '05 EB Expy and it came with the NAV system. I must say that this NAV is much cruder than others I've seen out there. In addition, I've only had the vehicle for 2-weeks and the NAV is already on the blink. It seems to have no idea where my car is at any given time. It is consistently 2 to 10 blocks off from my actual position...which is frustrating to say the least. I'm gonna take it is and see if they can figure out what the heck's wrong unless anyone out there has any ideas I can try on my own. As an aside, my heated/cooled driver seat has also stopped heating and cooling...! I'm getting a bit dissappointed.

patrick427 · July 2005

2-10 blocks? Heck, I'd like mine to tell me I'm in the same state! I finally got it to partially work. My particular region CD was apparently scratched by a salesman. So they had to order another and will take it in tomorrow to see if we can't get it to work properly. I'm still getting a bad taste in my mouth thinking to myself that it wasn't that much more to go with the Lincoln Navigator which DOES have a DVD based NAV system, and a 6 speed auto tranny to boot (among other more refined amenities). My issue was that I was already approved for the loan at the ford dealer who goes through their special fleet department underwriter to get the approval. As one who has bought cars before on their business credit I can tell you not all dealers are alike. Some of them can royally screw up your ability to get the deal done. This Ford dealer I had used before because he has an excellent connection at Ford credit to get me approved in 30 seconds. Unlike consumer credit which is largely based simply on pulling your credit file and if the score is good enough your approved, business credit is somewhat different and not all dealers can get you done in the same way. So... I was basically afraid to go with the other dealer in fear they couldnt get me done. But the Lincoln, which is of course based on the same platform as the Expedition, offers a much more refined package for not that many thousands more I mean frankly if your in at $55k, what difference will it make with $60-62? I mean if your going to go new it doesnt matter as you'll be so severely upside down on the loan for quite some time anyway!

Hindsight.... As ebven if I went into a Lincoln dealer now where they probably could adjust the already approved note into something else, Id be simply eating Way too much more for the possible mistake I just made.
The exp drives very nicely. I have no issues here. But in the short few days Ive already owned it I did manage to get lost the other day and a properly working Nav system would have come in handy. I also note that the passenger front seat, aside from not being powered, doesnt manage to go back as far as the drivers seat. But of course these issues should have been addressed by myself prior to doing it. Ultimately it falls on me.
still, for carrying a $55k note a DVD based nav system would have been nice. much like the overprived DVD entertainment system, the CD based $2k Nav radio has grossly underperformed for it's price and for the overall performance you'd expect to get out of a 2005 vehicle in the $50k+ price range.

DO love them King Ranch leather seats though. Very comfortable!

elcharro · July 2005

What a coincidence, I had same situation when I was in Las Vegas on Sunday July 3rd, 2005, when I was going to go back home to San Diego. After doing the normal blown fuse checking and confirming that air suspension compresor was working fine, I was able to find a broken hose coupling in the air supension supply, this hose coupling is located close to the fuse/relay box, (under the hood, driver side), and it runs between the fuse/relay box and brake fluid reseirvour, I was able to level my truck by connecting those two hoses toghether with my hands, after the leveling cycle completed, I turn off the leveling switch located on the front passenger kick plate, that worked fine to me and I was able to go back home safe, I'll take my truck to service/repair hopping this problem is covered by my extended warranty, badly all ford service shops were closed on 4th, July,

any way that's my short description of my workarrund... : ) :shades:

bricamp2004 · July 2005

1997 Expedition ...when selecting either 4WD or AWD the indicator lights say everything is ok but that is not the case. The front wheels will not engage and after a few minutes the indicator light begin to click back and forth from 4WD to AWD. What's going on?

fx4 · July 2005

I have a 2004 NBX buiilt about 10/03 and have had the vehicle in the shop two times now for a noise very much like you describe. My noise is more at
low speeds lugging in slow traffic or when changing up through the gears at low to moderate throttle. Dealer techs have not found anything. Noise has slowly gotten worse and my wife has been asking about it when we travel. Appears to me to be very small exhaust leak somewhere near the exhaust manifolds--not sure at all. Noise more annoying as I drive the vehicle daily, but techs cannot identify the source.

cnh4alt · July 2005

does anyone know what can be wrong with my 97 expedition. The factory alarm wont work and the only way to turn on the truck is to push a small button under the dash. i have contacted the Ford motor company but they dont ever respond. so if anyone knows anything about this problem please help.

lenr · July 2005

I am getting ready to hook up the trailer, and give someone at the dealership a ride. It is easy to duplicate under load. Hopefully, I can get the service manager to go. I have already been through the service advisor level, and they couldn't find a problem to fix. The noise is so loud at certain load/speed combinations that I pretty quickly try to change throttle setting to make it go away. I am beginning to wonder if it is an engine RPM/load combination as opposed to a speed/load combination. A few more experiments may tell. I think that it is going to be a long battle, but the noise is so loud, that I want to be sure that it is not doing damage.

jclee · July 2005

Did you have any luck? I'm having the same problem and I've heard everything from bad gas to fuel pump to a sensor.

tbecraft · July 2005

have you fixed the problem? mine is doing something similiar.

teldoc · July 2005

Re: the navigation, when I first picked up our 04 EB, I had the exact same thoughts.

It turns out, the system takes 1-3 minutes to lock on 3 satellites for triangulation. The color of the compass letter will change to white then green. Once I got used to that, my annoyance with it being 2-10 blocks off went away. Or does yours do this long into your trip?

ohairston · July 2005

are these coil packs easy to remove

patrick427 · July 2005

Well after getting the dealer to give me a CD that wasn't scratched by some salesman and I got to use the nav, it is acceptable. I still have grumbles... Actually I don't have any problems with it being 2-10 blocks off. With the right CD I am spot on the mark when I have it it nav or map mode.
I dont necessarily like that sometimes the audio prompts dont always go off when they should. you have to hit the voice button.
I dont like how you have to have the thing in park to reenter a new destination. I understand Why they do it, it's just annoying.
I dont like the way the system interacts with the CD and real Entertainment system. Even though my kids have their headphones on for their DVD they are watching the system only let's me listen to the front two speakers when I am listening to a CD. Im sure Ford thought having the rear speakers on would still interfere with the DVD system playback audio through the headphones.

The Nav is at least now functional. though I find it amusing how my little iPaq navigation system I had slapped to the dash of my old car had more options. Even had speed control and display.

In 2005 and for a car that went out the door for $55,000 I am somewhat amazed this isn't a touchscreen DVD based Nav. Of course Im still wondering why a $55k vehicle doesn't have a power passenger side seat where my $30k 2005 F-150 Does!

But so far all Ive really had to deal with is the faulty Nav CD for my region. and the rear power vent windows. one of them went nuts and the power arm flew off the window and the window wobbled back and forth in the wind. Apparently it happens a lot and was a 5 minute fix at the dealer with just a pair of pliers. I hope whatever they did holds.

tomjones1 · July 2005

My 2005 Expedition has 4,500 miles, and I just noticed that it was leaking water into the passenger side floor. Since I live in south east Texas it didn't take long to figure out that the air conditioner was leaking- I assumed that the drain hose was clogged. I took it into the dealer, and they said that they blew out the hose and didn't find much- they plan on ordering a styrofoam kit that will insulate the evaporator and keep it from condensing water and leaking inside the vehicle.

This doesn't sound right to me- I ran the AC for months with no problem, and it just seems like the AC unit either has a hole, a hose came loose or got clogged.

HAS ANYBODY HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM? The dealer told me that he's done this several times in the past few months- that some Expeditions just "sweat more than others" - of course, there are 10's of thousands of Expeditions on the streets of Houston, and I'd imagine that this would be a well known issue if it were true, especially in the summer.

gheimur · July 2005

I have an 04 EB expy with 11K on it and live in NJ. The humidity over the last few weeks has been high, I've had no issues with the A/C, I would think that if there is a kit than it must be a known problem. I would guess that maybe they left it out , Good luck

blubyeu1 · July 2005

I agree FORD Sucks BIG Time! I have a 99 Expedition, 61,000 miles Transmission Front Seal as the Ford Service Person Said "Deteroiated" and the fluid poured out and obviously stop pulling. This Vehicle has not been abused or has it towed anything since I've owned it since 36,005 miles. I don't think that a Truck or car's Drive Train should act a fool @ such low mileage. Ford does not
take care of there Quality issues in my opinion they do not back there products as advertised. They won't compensate the cost but rather donate $500,000.00 to GLAAD.

beep91 · July 2005

My 2000 Expedition drove fine yesterday. Will turn over just fine this morning but
won't kick over; like it's not geting fuel. Any ideas?

explorerx4 · July 2005

i have to guess a bit here. you usually start it by just turning the key, no foot on the gas? if you have the manual, you can check it, but you can floor the gas and turn the key. my wife's taurus had this happen once in a while. sometimes it takes a while get it going. it usually happened after starting the car to back it out of the garage or pull it in, then turning off the car. good luck.

99blueoval · July 2005

I have a 99 expedition and it will not engage in 4wd or all wheel drive. Checked fuses, replaced switch on the dash and the Transfer Case motor. Still no go!! Any ideas? What vacuume line should I check?? :sick:

99blueoval · July 2005

Never mind

. When out and unhooked the battery and rehooked it back up. Now it engages. :P

drewnjax · July 2005

I own a 2000 Ford Expedition and suddenly the AC stopped blowing cold air (it continues to blow fine, just not cold air). I was told that the fuse blew, and it was replaced. The AC worked for a couple of minutes, and the fuse blew again. I was told that it was the relay, and it was replaced. The AC worked for a couple of minutes, then stopped blowing cold air again (it continues to blow fine, just not cold air). What could the problem be? I've had to replace the engine, the coils, the starter, the alternator...I'm broke!

beep91 · July 2005

Really perplexed now. Engine starts right up when I jumped the solenoid terminals together. Went back and tried with the ignition key and it turns over just fine but will not start. Going to replace the solenoid tonight even though that makes no sense.

royalh · July 2005

Exactly what does switching to this little icon with the "A" inside the lamp do. The manual is vague. This is on a new 2005 EB Expedition. I switched to the auto feature but I couldn't see that anything different happened. :confuse:

zman3 · July 2005

On our 2003 (which I don't drive much) I think it is the auto headlight feature where the headlights will turn on automatically when it gets dark and will turn off automatically when it becomes light out.

txmat6 · July 2005

We just bought a '05 Expedition in April and it does the same thing when I brake. It doesn't happen every time I brake...it's unpredictable. Did you ever find a solution?

Ford Expedition Maintenance and Repair

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