Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I also get a high pitched whining noise that sounds like it's coming from the dashboard at times, anyone get that?
When the car behaves (about 50% of the time) it's okay, but man. God help anyone that buys that new F-150 because if it's got as many fundamental engineering problems as this hunk then those people are in real trouble.
You and I must have gotten vehicles that came one after another off the assembly line. I get the same high pitched whining. Most of the time (but not always) the whining stops when I turn the radio off. This is however only a temporary solution since the noise comes back in a few minutes.
I'm at a loss.......
Exactly where does the tape go? Outside, inside, etc.?
Sorry I didn't catch up with your post earlier. I've cancelled two appointments at my Ford dealer dreading additional wild goose chases, blank looks, etc.
With reference to post 261 above regarding dim or regular driving headlights, I am happy to share very good success going to the enhanced halogen Sylvannia 9006XV. Per their web site,
the XV halogen is fairly new capsule that provides 20% additional light and up to 3 times additional seeing/light in the foreground. Hey, they actually shine on the road without help from the fog lights or the high beams. Cost is only $9-10 each, twice the life of regular 9006 halogens. Color is very compatable with OEM 9005 in high beams. Headlight bulb changing for the 2003 Expedition is very difficult, but can be done at home with some fuss, close reading of the owner's manual, 10MM socket with rachet and extension.
Sylvannia makes the 4000 color Silver Star in the 9006 low beam and 9005 high beam. Cost is about $20 each. Again difficult to install and about only one year life for Silver Star per the website, versus very long life for the above XV. With the Expedition's large refectors, I thought it might not be too feasible to go to the Silver Star bulbs on our road.
In summary, the 9006XV replacement a no-brainer given the results, low cost, longer bulb life.
You can see on dim or regular and the other guys are not flashing.
.
Do you think the "rattle" is worse for the FX4 models because of the open step bars versus the regular running boards? Hey, give me them old fashioned chrome bumpers and let Toyota keep all that awful cladding.
I had been telling the dealer from the start that the noise seemed to be somewhat on the outside of the FX4 front doors.
On another subject, I wish Ford had kept the FX4 nameplate for the 2004 Expedition instead of going to the puny NBX like the Explorer.
Eastern Tennesse here surely is FX4 country. However,I've noticed that the dealers have lots of NBX Explorer inventory left, some 10-12 months old. We have been looking at NBX because many often come without the third row seat otion and many have the 4.6L V-8. But, wife doesn't like the very dark NBX interior and the feel of the NBX series cloth takes some getting used to. Slanted when folded third row seat is out. We have observed that the Explorer leather seats seem to be hard, at least when brand new. Anyone have any comments on the Explorer leather seats based on longer term??
Also, does anyone have comments on the power (hp and torque) of the 4.6L vs. the trusty 4.0L in the Explorer? 3.55 and 3.73. The 4.6L seems to have a problem versus the improved performance of the 4.6L in say the 2wd 2003 Expedition. Tranny and torque converter the difference?
Finally, my GMC guy kid brother has gone nuts over the torque of the 5.4L and the way cool power fold third seat. I told him GM will copy both soon and also maybe adopt the key pad for the driver's door. You don't have to have your cell phone in your pocket (that wont work out there anyway) to call Onstar ( that is if you have paid your $16.95/mo) Ha!
You may want to browse through some of them:
Anyone had any experience with "The Tornado"?
The Tornado, Does it work for you?
Tornado Fuel Saver...Hype?!?!?
Tornadoair accessory??
Enjoy!
tidester, host
First the front diff was making a noise or had a vibration coasting or on level ground when in 2wd. I mentioned that my FX4 built 1-2-03 had this problem even though the government's NHTSA web site listed a TSB in July 2002 or earlier describing the problem. For some unknown reason the Ford dealer techs could not find any reference to the TSB number on the NHTSA. But, instead did the now well known "S" repair which immediately stopped the noise or roar above. Also, the repair eliminated the loud clunking noise when shifting from 2wd to a4wd or whatever the next setting over is called. Whether the repair will last the life of the vehicle is an open question, but of now is solves the problem.
The other significant noise for the 2003 FX4 has been the noise in the doors. Based on my duct tape job where the bottom edges of the cladding was secured to the bottom edges of both front doors, the noise apparently has to do with the cladding rattling and/or air rushing through the holes where the cladding snaps on ( I assume there are holes in the sheet metal where the cladding is fastened? ) It seems more likely from just general examination that the cladding is flopping all around causing the noise.
The catch is that I have not gotten a permanent fix under Ford warranty.
The repair is for 2003 Expeditions and Navigators, 4wd, having a groan or hum and/or slight vibration at times in 2wd high. My FX4 was built 1-2-03, and had the problem from very early on. The S-Spring repair per Article 03-6-4 seems to have completely solved the problem--for now anyway. No leak.
Besides stopping the rumble or roar while coasting at say 15-45 mph in 2wd high, the unit now shifts from 2wd into the next setting over (A something) without the awful chunk it had when new.
Hope it lasts after warranty.
Don't know the difference/relationship if any between a TSB and the above Article.?
From my research of a number of web posts and the July 2002 NHTSA TSB data, I would conclude that the above is a widespread problem with at least A and B VIN production 4wd units.
What revision '03 do you have - A,B, or C? (it is the the 6th or seventh digit from last in the VIN just before the sequential number
Also, note that the heavy duty 4R100 (order code 44E) transmission was standard with the 5.4L in Expedition for years 97-02. Some later 4wd models even have the seldom seen transmission drain plugs. The 4R100 is used with the 6.8 V-10 Triton and 5.4L in F-250, E-350 vans, etc. Point is the 4R100 combined with 5.4L in used Expeditions are good heavy duty values for towing up to 7,400 in 4wd and 8,300 or so in 3.73 ratio 2wd. A properly cared for used 5.4L unit should last for years of heavy use.
As additional transmission information, the modern slightly lighter duty 4R70W (code 44U) is used in the 4.6L and 5.4L in 2003 Expedition. The 2003 Navigator with 5.4L 4v got the 4R100. The 4R70W was upgraded to handle the increased torque of the 5.4L 3v triton in 2004 F-150. Upgraded version already in production in 2004 Expedition in both 4.6L and 5.4L 2v Triton (tranny code 44W or something like that ?).
...just some bits of information from an old Ford man that someone might be able to use...
Got the car in May,03 and have had the rear differential completely replaced in July and then had noise again 6 weeks later. This time (September) they replaced only the clutch packs - 2nd time for the lemon law. Has Ford figured out this problem yet or will I be having a third strike?
How does the lemon law work (PA)?
Any insight helpful. Am very frustrated but love the car.
We had the vibration in the front end and heard an audible noise as well only in 2wd mode. If switched to 4wd high the noise wuold go away. Had to take it back two times for them to hear it then someone in the dept. heard my description and read back a Ford TSB that echoed my description to a tea. Turns out a redesiged S clip solved the problem.
The other problem we had was that the drivers side window fell into the door while bringing down the window. They replaced the whole window and assy.
Only outstanding problems are a missing plug that goes where the seatbelt goes into the middle seat rear compartment and while driving at speed, we are hearing "marbles rattling" coming from the drivers side door where near where the latch is. That noise is very annoying. So our 3 non maintenance appt. is happening next week. UGGGh. So close Ford........
Take heart though...if it helps, the BMW X-5 is on their 14th recall so far, and the first year Sequoia had miserable engine & A/C problems. The difference is, Toyota doesn't recall anything, they deal with it quietly if they have to, and secondly the media just assumes they never break, so you don't hear about it much if they do have repeat issues. And occasionally, they do.
JD Power reported a few months ago that first year models are now about as reliable as later year models. I hope they revisit their study soon because there's a lot of anecdotal evidence on the boards recently to the contrary.
Steve, Host
Bob
Does anyone else have the problem, if not try driving with just a back window down and see if it happens.
Other then that my expedition rides well.
...still I am fairly positive that I saw the 44W transmission code on the door of several 4.6L 2004 4wd, XLT, that were part of a large fleet order. Anyone have the answer?
Ford is working on a low dust pad and will replace your dirty pads only if you complain about the dust.
BE SURE to complain about dust to your dealer to get it in your vehicle history record.
Google found it for me @ Ford Service Bulletins
David
My 03 had a similar sounding noise. The ring and pinion gears in the rear differential were misaligned. The mechanic tore it apart and replaced the ring and/or pinion gears, made sure they were properly aligned, and now the noise is gone. It must be a fairly common issue because he was adamant about tearing it apart and redoing it himself. Apparently he has had issues with simply receiving a new differential and having the new one have issues also.