Hi all,
I'm new to this board and to Ford but have really appreciated all of the technical info. that I have seen here. I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can help me out with.

First of all I love my Ford. It is an 02' Explorer XLS 4X4 with the 4.0L SOHC. I bought it used with 27000 miles on it. I have already had the transmission computer reprogrammed for irregular shifting habits and am having the TSB performed on the cam tensioners at the end of the month. My dealer seems to be very helpful, but I am having a few other small issues I want to be better able to explain to them. My warranty is close to being up and I won't have a lot of time for several trips. They are as follows:

* Transmission slips/jerks while accelerating. It does this at the top end of 1st gear and all the way through 2nd some of the time. Really no pattern to it. Sometimes shifts with no problems, sometimes jerks. Does not really do it in any other gears. If anything there is a slight shudder in the other gears, but I have drived other vehicles that were worse. Think possibly something up with 4X4 trying to engage front wheels thinking rear are slipping.

* Sometimes when first starting in the morning and shifting from Park to Drive, there is a ticking/clicking sound and then a faint squeel coming from under the truck in the area of the transfer case/tranny. Goes away after tranny gets hot. Shifting is normal with no hesitation.

* After truck has been driven a while and engine is shut down, there is a noise coming from the top of the engine, under the cover that says, "4.0L SOHC". It is a buzzing sound like air leaking out from something or a fan coming to a stop. I am however 99.9% sure it is not the engine cooling fan.

* While driving down the road everything is smooth. When accellerating from 30MPH, there is a rubbing sound coming from the front left wheel area and under the seat in the transfer case area. Seems to be getting more noticeable.

So far these are the only issues I have. I do hear the whining noise coming from the rear differential, but am not bothered by it. Does anyone know if it is harmful?

Again, I appreciate this site and any info anyone can give me concerning these issues so that I may better explain them to my dealer.

 

Has anyone with an 02' Explorer encountered any of these problems? Thanks again.

 

* Sometimes when first starting in the morning and shifting from Park to Drive, there is a ticking/clicking sound and then a faint squeel coming from under the truck in the area of the transfer case/tranny. Goes away after tranny gets hot. Shifting is normal with no hesitation


I have this problem....there is a SSM message out there to replace the fan and fan clutch, for cars built before 3/14/2002. Check to see if your EX is built before then. I am currently in the process of getting ford to verify the noise so I can get it replaced. It's just tough because I have to leave the car overnight for ford to verify the noise.

 

Thanks Jhromy, I will mention it to my SM. Do you happen to know the SSM #? I am taking it to my dealer to fix the timing chain noise and they need to keep it over night so the engine will be cold and make the noise. I will tell them to listen for that as well. Yes, mine was built before 3/14/2002. Have you had any problems with the tranny slipping? Thanks again for the post.

 

sure here it is. Um once in a while i feel it slip nothing im too worried about...

SSM #17163 ----2002 EXPLORER 4DR/MOUNTAINEER BUILT PRIOR TO 3/14/2002 - EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN NOISE
SOME 2002 EXPLORER 4DR/MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0/4.6L ENGINE BUILT PRIOR TO 3/14/2002 MAY EXHIBIT ENGINE COOLING FAN NOISE AT STARTUP WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE. VERIFY THE CONDITION BY COLD SOAKING THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. IF THE CONDITION IS VERIFIED, REPLACE BOTH THE FAN (2C5Z- 8600-AA) AND FAN CLUTCH (2C5Z-8A616-BA). THIS MESSAGE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 3/14/20022 AND DOES NOT APPLY TO LINCOLN AVIATORS REGARDLESS OF BUILD DATE

 

Thanks again, I'll have them look at that too.

 

just to let you know I am having the fan and clutch replaced to fix that noise...ford heard it this morning and they ordered the parts.