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Lincoln Aviator

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Comments

  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    True, or a thousand or so is ok as well. There's really no adverse affect because someone is over by some miles. Although it's been researched that it's mental perception.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    "mental perception"

    Is there any other kind?
  • asemaasema Member Posts: 33
    well, yeah, there's sensory perception....
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    And the senses are really just nerve endings that go back to your brain, right?

    Oh, never mind.......
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    It's all in your "head"........
  • jacqueusijacqueusi Member Posts: 55
    Funny, I've been looking for a black grill and black license plate surround to replace my chrome grill and surround. My local dealership is clueless on a part number despite the black grill being part of the 2003 Kitty Hawk Edition and this year's 2005 Jet Black edition.

    There's a guy here in Michigan that I've seen selling OEM Aviator grills on eBay. I bought a set of seat filters from him and he came through right away.
  • teresahdteresahd Member Posts: 4
    Has anyone been experiencing radio problems? I have a 2004 model and the cd player shuffles by it self. I took it into the dealer and it has happened one time after. It continues for about 2 minutes and won't read any CD's. ALso on 3 occasions, my radio has made a really high pitch noise. I switched to a CD thinking it would stop but it doesn't. I have to shut my radio on and off several times and then it will stop.

    Has this happened to anyone or do I just have a bad radio?
  • clarksalmoclarksalmo Member Posts: 19
    I also have CD problems. I have the audophile model. Very few of my CDs will play. They will all play for a little while then I can hear the player make noise and then I get a bad disc message. Lincoln will not replace the CD player, only repair it. I haven't taken it in yet, since it will take about a week or ten days to repair. No loaners are available. What a crock.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Are you using CDs with paper labels? If you are then that will cause problems.

    I don't understand why you can't get it replaced - have you tried a different dealer? I don't think this is a Lincoln policy, although it's possible.
  • clarksalmoclarksalmo Member Posts: 19
    These are factory CDs with no labels. I have literally over a hundred CDs that won't play. I haven't tried another dealer. I tend to believe my dealer because my Aviator is a lemon (more than one person at the dealer has whispered this word to me about this car) and they have bent over backward trying to help me out.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    No, that's crazy. I have had 4 CD players replaced in my Navigator. Here's the poop:

    1st one - CD's would not eject easily - replaced unit on the spot with new one. Car in and out in one day, loaner was given to me, a Town Car.

    2nd one - #s 2,3 & 4 buttons functioned, but stuck a little. Unit replaced again, in and out in one day, loaner given, Town Car, no charge again, no problem.

    3rd one - Unit was defective in that it did not turn off ever, and drained my battery, otherwise played fine. Unit replaced in one day, loaner given free of charge, Town Car, no problem, dealer apologized for recurring inconvenience.

    4th unit still in car, working just fine.

    So you tell your dealer where to put their CD unit, nicely, but they owe you a new one. They can order the unit if they don't have one in stock, call you when it's in, have you bring the car in, give you a loaner, and install it, or have you wait, it shouldn't take more than 1 hour to replace the unit, frankly, it should take 5 minutes to change it out. But that's rediculous. If my dealer can do it so easily, 3 times, yours could do it once! If he won't try another dealer for sure. Try mine! Signature Lincoln Mercury, Las Vegas, Nevada. I think it's true, they do send the defective ones back for re-manufacture, and that's why I got 2 bad ones for replacements, but I wasn't too badly inconvenienced on the whole. New would have been better, but with the loaners, apologies and no charge for anything, I chose to be patient. In the end, I won.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Small world - I buy my parts from Signature L/M in Las Vegas (Bill Jenkins). He provided part numbers and prices for the new rear window regulator for my LS (without the motor so they're < $30). If their service department is anything like Bill then they're great.

    Seriously - try another dealer. The only reason I can think of for requiring a repair rather than replacement is if the replacements are also defective or they're on national back order.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Exactly!!
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    The aviator is in the shop, waiting for a new head. Lost compression on #7 cylinder. Rumor has it this is a common problem with 4.6L DOHC heads - lack of cooling on cylinders 7/8. The ABS light is coming on intermittently and the climate control seems to be erratic at times. Previously the cruise control failed intermittently but it's been ok for several months.

    I was hoping to keep it for several more years but if this keeps up I'll have to ditch it in a couple of years.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Wow, not TOO common, akirby, I don't hear of it very often..... This engine has been in production since 95, now why would an engineering fault like this persist for 10 years? Clearly, it doesn't happen to all of them, as it's rarely mentioned in places such as this...... Any explanations from your sources?
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    There aren't that many of the DOHC 4.6L engines around (comparatively speaking). They were used in the old Cobras and the Mark VIII (IIRC) but not much else. I think it's a design problem with the head itself and probably only shows up in a fraction of them. But our regular service adviser seemed to recognize the problem immediately so I think it's happened before. Probably not a widespread problem.
    If I get more info I'll let you guys know.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    The 95 and on Continentals used that engine also, akirby - they sold a fair number of those too - between the Mark VIII and Continentals, this should have been resolved by now, because the Mark came out in 93, I think....so this engine has been out a good long time now......
  • michael10michael10 Member Posts: 29
    Picked up an 05 about two weeks ago. Wife loves it. I heard that the dealer can install bluetooth (handsfree system). We do have the Nav. which it looks like you need. Has anyone out there had this done? if so, any feedback or advise would be great.
  • baudilusbaudilus Member Posts: 1
    Hi Everyone. I've been seeing a lot of complaints about strange things here and thankfully, I've not experienced them. I've had my (2005) Avi for about 5 months now, and I (and my wife) love it. I've only had three cars in my life (not including my parents' old K car when I first got my license), and they've always been Ford products. First was a 2000 Focus (first model year), then a 2002 Explorer 4WD, and now the Aviator. For anyone thinking that it's just an Explorer with a different dash is sadly mistaken.

    Incidentally enough, I found this forum because I was looking for a solution to another problem. I noticed in the manual that the rear DVD system won't play burned DVD discs. I'm assuming that this is just for liability, since I got one to play (A Knights Tale), and one to partially play albeit slowly (The Matrix). The rest just won't.

    The reason I ask is because I have a lot of DVDs, and I want to have a good selection (maybe my whole collection!) in the car for trips, but I don't want to keep the original discs in the car all of the time, so I figured I would copy them and leave the precious originals at home. I'm using DVD Shrink 4.3 with DVD43Free and DVD-R discs, if that's useful. Has anyone gotten any homemade / backed-up DVDs to work consistenly in the Aviator?

    Thanks!

    Oh, and to the person who posted about the audio system making a strange noise, I had that happen recently and for the life of me couldn't figure out what that strange, I can only describe it as "loopy," sound was, until I turned off the SCV (Speed Compensated Volume). The weird noise (which was coming from the subwoofer) stopped after that. Hope that helps!
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I don't know if the DVD player supports DVD-R discs or not. Based on similar CD-R issues I would recommend burning the DVD-R discs at the slowest speed possible. The owner's manual should tell you whether it supports DVD-R or not.

    If the DVD-R discs play at home then keep the backup copy at home and take the original. You're still covered.
  • scc22scc22 Member Posts: 1
    Hey everyone. I'm in the market for a 2005 Aviator, but news of Ford's discontinuation of the SUV has made me a bit worried (I read they are stopping production in July of 2005 and will re-introduce the Aviator in 2007 as a car-based SUV)... I have no idea if my concerns are accurate, but will current Aviator owners run into problems finding "Aviator quality" replacement parts down the road? Is there a risk of an increased cost of ownership with this vehicle? Again, I really have no idea how the automotive industry deals with these transitions, but I thought I'd ask all of you.

    Thanks for the input!
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    No worries. They keep parts for years, sometimes decades. Plus it shares a lot of components with the Explorer and Mountaineer.
  • asemaasema Member Posts: 33
    Does it bother other people too that there is no address book feature for storing addresses in the Navigation system?
    Or is the feature there and I just don't know about it? I've used other cars navigation systems, and they all seem to have the address book, and its very useful . It bothers me that the lincoln does not. I know it remembers the last few (20 ??) addresses entered, but its a rolling list.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I haven't used mine in awhile but I thought you could store up to 10 addresses including Home.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    It's there - when you get the Destination screen you can choose from 5 special memory points at the bottom of the page (plus Home). If you hit NEXT you get another screen where you can access regular Memory Points. These 2 memory lists are in addition to the previous destinations. Read the owner's manual, please.
  • teresahdteresahd Member Posts: 4
    i have been experiencing odd noises when i drive on the fwy pass 65 mph. it's driving me crazy!!!!! it has happens all the time. it sounds like howling in my left rear. i thought it was the wind blowing in the rear view mirror but i am reading from other consumers and i am thinking it might be the axle noises everyone has been experience. i called the dealership and asked them if it was common. of course, the service manager says "i have never heard complaints about that. bring it in." hmmmm i am starting to wonder if my car is just a lemon! my car is always in the dealership for something. last time i went to get my 15k oil change, the dealership found that i had leaking fluids and my gaskets had to be replaced. i told them i was very concerned b/c my car is still new and that seems to be a major repair. i am thankful i leased the car and have 2 years left. i don't think i will get another Lincoln....TOO MANY PROBLEMS!
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Please describe the noise - does it start at a certain mph then go away at higher mph? Or is it constant? Does it matter whether you have your foot on the accelerator or not?

    Could be a bad tire or wheel bearing if it's only on one side. The differential whine comes from the center, only occurs between a certain mph range and only with the accelerator depressed.

    And please don't let your experience with one vehicle prevent you from buying another one. Overall Lincoln is quite high on the JD Power reliability survey and #1 in dealer satisfaction (although there are plenty of bad Lincoln dealerships out there). And every mfr makes a few lemons now and then, even (gasp) Honda and Toyota.
  • teresahdteresahd Member Posts: 4
    the noise is pretty constant. i tested it out this weekend and it happens when i am 75mph. when i slow down, then the noise stops....it's like a howling sound. like an owl "who who"

    so is this noise normal? i have never driven in any car w this kind of howling. my friend owns a navigator and has driven w/ me while the noise occured. she said she doesn't hear any noises in her car.

    so i recorded it on my cell phone and will take it into the dealership.will keep you posted but i honestly think this car has lots of problems for being a year old
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    In case nobody noticed, the current Aviator is DEAD. There will be no 2006 Aviator. The 2007 Aviator will be based off the CD3 (Mazda6 platform) similar to the Lexus Rx330.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    First I'd check and make sure you don't have an owl stuck to your roof rack.
    :D

    Could be the differential, or the rear air conditioner, or wind noise.
  • b_datn01b_datn01 Member Posts: 3
    I have a '03 Aviator with rear DVD player. I can get the DVD to play but I can't get
    the audio to play. I've learned I need some headphones. Where can I order these from? But the big issue...Why doesn't the DVD play through the speakers???
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Did you check the owner's manual? The one online doesn't have the info on how to operate the DVD system. Normally the sound is routed into the OEM radio as a DVD input (cycle through am/fm1/fm2/cd/etc or as an auxilliary input source.

    Are you sure this is OEM or was this added aftermarket? The OEM unit uses wireless headphones that should be orderable from any dealer. Or call your dealer and ask them who does their radio repair - it's usually done offsite by a radio specialist. They can probably get the OEM headphones also and may be cheaper.
  • b_datn01b_datn01 Member Posts: 3
    You're right. The dealer does use an outside contractor to make this sort of repair. I had to call around to find that out. The dealership I purchased the vehicle didn't seem to know that. It looks like the Lincoln/Mecury dealerships (in Maryland) use a company called Tri-State Auto.

    This is the rear DVD player that Ford/Lincoln puts in its SUVs. I'm shocked at how little they know about it.

    The system seems to function except for the audio. I agree that the audio most likely plays on one the the channels (FM or AM). Does anyone out there know what station to tune to for the DVD audio???
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    According to the 2003 Navigator manual (should be the same as the Aviator) you should be able to toggle between CD and DVD audio by pressing the CD button. Try that. You can find the 2003 Navigator OM (and all others) here:

    https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners_manuals/default.asp
  • craikiamcraikiam Member Posts: 2
    They do on Jaguar XJR's!
  • another_personanother_person Member Posts: 93
    I'n not sure if there is a way to do this on a ford, but there is for toyotas. We have an 04 Aviator, and I prefere not to put on my seat belt until after I get out of the drive way. Anyways, sometimes i end up idling for a while before i back out, and the warning gets really annoying. Is there anyway to disable it like with the camrys?
  • craikiamcraikiam Member Posts: 2
    Spare wheel's on Aviators are black. A/C compressor's "grind"!

    Buyers beware,

    Anybody out there experiencing a "Grinding Noise" when they turn on their A/C compressor? Seems common in '03 & '04 Aviators only. It is a "NO FIX" problem because of a "DESIGN FAULT" aka DEFECT allowing fluid to drain down into the bottom of the casting. Turn on the A/C (hot or cold motor) and the piston grinds coming up.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Gee - I don't know. But you might want to check page 184 of your owner's manual (that thing in the glovebox that nobody ever reads). What a silly place to put information on how to operate your vehicle.
  • another_personanother_person Member Posts: 93
    yea, I actually did read the manual at some point, but can't seem to find it anymore. The point is, a service tech claims that there is no way to turn it off, but I just want to know it there is a way that service techs aren't suppose to tell you.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    The procedure is right there in the manual. If you can't find yours then get it free online:
    https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners_manuals/default.asp
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Oddly enough, in 03, all Ford SUVs got 5 matching wheels - well, almost matching in some cases. But that was the only year. from 04 on, they are black as you say.....

    As for the grinding, if you're talking about start up, you're correct, and all Fords do it. But it only happens if the compressor has been idle for more than a day, and is "normal". Has been for years. It's not impressive, but the subcontractor who makes those compressors hasn't been asked to redesign them - as they work great for years and years generally, and are very efficient. A little noise.....vs. mediocre performance, I'll take the daily grind.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "Lincoln's new Aviator SUV, which will arrive next year as a 2007 model, will use a six-speed automatic transmission and Ford's new 245-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine."

    Ford Plans for New V6, V8 Revealed (Inside Line)

    Did they forget the roof?

    image

    Steve, Host
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,256
    i keep hinting to my wife that i'm getting to the age where i want a 'lincoln'. we had all 3 generations of sho's. i still want an suv. aviator is looking really good!
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I sure relate to that. I got that bug in 92, and bought my first Lincoln, a brand new Continental. Not the best car I have ever had, but it was the greatest design. I loved the limosine roofline, the room in the back seat, the ride, the comfort the handling was pretty good for a FWD sled, and the power wasn't all that bad. With the 6 cylinder, the mileage was good! As it aged, it gave me problems so I traded it in 96. Have been driving Lincolns ever since.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Wish to see a teaser of the next Aviator? Take a look at the first story...

    link CLICK
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Cool, ANT -Thanks!!
  • jreevesjreeves Member Posts: 1
    I experienced a similar problem with my Dealer installed DVD Player. It was installed by a local Car Audio shop that is contracted by my Lincoln Dealer. Therefore, the system is covered by the car manufacturer's warranty.
    The problem developed about nine months after taking delivery. The DVD video and IR (wireless) headphone audio were fine but I had no audio over the speakers. The audio from the DVD is wired to a converter that sends an RF signal to the FM radio on a prescribed frequency and thereby to the factory speakers. A toggle switch turns on the converter.
    The problem with my system turned out be a failed inline fuse holder. The plastic fuse holder was installed over the radio. One of the tabs failed and the fuse lost contact.
    The fix was to remove the fuse and the holder and reconnect the power wires with an inline splice. The fuse was redundant protection since the converter gets power from the radio power circuit and this circuit is protected by the radio fuse.
    Chances are, your audio converter is not receiving power due to an open in the circuit as a result of a blown fuse, faulty toggle switch, broken wire or bad connection in the power circuit.
    Hope this helps.
  • rsm1299rsm1299 Member Posts: 1
    Here it is:
    Step 1
    Turn the ignition to the run position. (Do not start engine)
    Step 2
    Wait until the safety belt warning lamp turns off. (Approximately one to two minutes)

    NOTE: Steps 3 through 5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure must be repeated.
    Step 3
    Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the safety belt unbuckled.
    Step 4
    Turn the parklamps/headlamps on then off.
    Step 5
    Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the safety belt unbuckled. After this step the safety belt warning lamp will be illuminated for three seconds.
    Step 6
    Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning lamp turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt. This will enable the belt minder if disabled or disable belt minder if enabled.
    Step 7
    The following sequence of events confirm the belt minder is enabled:
    - flashing of the safety belt warning belt lamp four times per second for three seconds
    - three seconds with the safety belt lamp off
    - flashing the safety belt lamp four times per second for three seconds again
    Step 8
    The safety belt lamp flashing four times per second for three seconds provides confirmation of belt minder disabled.
    Step 9
    After confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is complete.
  • genniphergennipher Member Posts: 5
    Just FYI- I own a 2005 Aviator- and it has been in the shop since 3 days after we bought it- I have had a lot of problems with it including but not limited to-Steering shaking, pulling to the left, the drive shaft replaced, the shuddering when turning- 3 alignments- 3 balancing, Power steering return hose, and ford has advised me that the "vehicle is pretty good"
    that is scary- by the way it's 3 mognths old with less than 2000 miles on it - i bought it new-been in the shop 6 times- for about 25 days-
  • mindimariemindimarie Member Posts: 1
    My 2003 Aviator radio goes in and out of station all over town. When I first took it to the dealer....I was told the base was too high!!!! that was the problem....I figured i would give it a shot..after all you never know...A few weeks later i took it in again and told them i really do non think that it is the base because it doesn't happen when i play my CD's...When i came to pick it up. I was told that they could not see anything wrong with the radio. So i took them for a test drive...Now he was able to hear what I did. So I brought it back thinking it would be fixed...When I came to pick it up I was told again they could not see anything wrong with the radio...So I asked did you hear the radio do what I said..He said Yes. But since there is no report and they can SEE nothing wrong they refuse to fix it. No connection were tested or even attempt to see placing another radio in would do the same thing. Can anyone help me??

    I have owened a Land Rover Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty and I have never had a problem with the radio and if i had ANY problems they were more than happy to fix it or atleast look into it.
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