many-o-problems please help!
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many-o-problems please help!
Hello, I am the new owner of a '94 3.0L and although I am more than thrilled to have it, there are some problems with her.
1. the A/C doesn't work, early in the morning she'll put out some cold air but as it gets hotter outside the A/C just can't overcome the heat
2. when i'm stopped at a light or just plain at idle it's verry rough. the volt gague (voltometer?) spikes drastically.
3. Also it reacently started to shift at higher speeds (e.g. into 2nd around 30-35)
4. and finally I live in the "smog ****"(i think i read that here..verry funny) state of california and it won't pass smog. every thing is fine in the 25mph range but at 15mph the NOx levels are high
I will greatly appretiate any help i can get and thanks to all in advance
1. the A/C doesn't work, early in the morning she'll put out some cold air but as it gets hotter outside the A/C just can't overcome the heat
2. when i'm stopped at a light or just plain at idle it's verry rough. the volt gague (voltometer?) spikes drastically.
3. Also it reacently started to shift at higher speeds (e.g. into 2nd around 30-35)
4. and finally I live in the "smog ****"(i think i read that here..verry funny) state of california and it won't pass smog. every thing is fine in the 25mph range but at 15mph the NOx levels are high
I will greatly appretiate any help i can get and thanks to all in advance
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Mitchell, SD
Welcome! 
#1: Is the compressor staying engaged? (you will have to crawl under a little bit while running and look at it) Could be low on freon. (R134a that can be bought over the counter)
#2: Try cleaning your Idle Air Control Valve (do search IAB or IAC), if that does not work, replace, common Ford issue.
#3: Check tranny fluid level, Too high or low will cause issues. (and also the modulator could be bad)
#4: How old are the O2 sensors? I would run a can of Berrymans B-12 through the gas tank, that will clean things up some. If all else fails, move.
#1: Is the compressor staying engaged? (you will have to crawl under a little bit while running and look at it) Could be low on freon. (R134a that can be bought over the counter)
#2: Try cleaning your Idle Air Control Valve (do search IAB or IAC), if that does not work, replace, common Ford issue.
#3: Check tranny fluid level, Too high or low will cause issues. (and also the modulator could be bad)
#4: How old are the O2 sensors? I would run a can of Berrymans B-12 through the gas tank, that will clean things up some. If all else fails, move.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by PeterTheHandRock
thanks for your input i will check it out as soon as possible. one thing I failed to mension is that #2 and #3 happened around the same time. Coincidence? or Related?
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 260
From: Oak Harbor, Washington
An overcharging alternator (probably) fried both the ECM, fuel gauge, and a transmission connector in an '89 I bought back in January. I just caught another overcharging alternator in my '90 last week. I strongly suggest that you replace either the voltage regulator (can be done without removing the alternator, but requires a couple special tools) or the whole alternator before it becomes a big expense.
Overcharging can throw off the timing of the ECM locking up the torque converter or enabling OD, but probably won't affect a 1-2 shift.
On NOx, I have little good news. There is no EGR system on the 3.0l, so in ascending order:
a) check ign. timing
b) make certain not overheating
c) make certain not running too lean (vac leaks, plugged injector(s))
d) replace the front catalytic converter
Regards,
Al S.
Overcharging can throw off the timing of the ECM locking up the torque converter or enabling OD, but probably won't affect a 1-2 shift.
On NOx, I have little good news. There is no EGR system on the 3.0l, so in ascending order:
a) check ign. timing
b) make certain not overheating
c) make certain not running too lean (vac leaks, plugged injector(s))
d) replace the front catalytic converter
Regards,
Al S.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by asavage
An overcharging alternator (probably) fried both the ECM, fuel gauge, and a transmission connector in an '89 I bought back in January. I just caught another overcharging alternator in my '90 last week. I strongly suggest that you replace either the voltage regulator (can be done without removing the alternator, but requires a couple special tools) or the whole alternator before it becomes a big expense.
Overcharging can throw off the timing of the ECM locking up the torque converter or enabling OD, but probably won't affect a 1-2 shift.
On NOx, I have little good news. There is no EGR system on the 3.0l, so in ascending order:
a) check ign. timing
b) make certain not overheating
c) make certain not running too lean (vac leaks, plugged injector(s))
d) replace the front catalytic converter
Regards,
Al S.
Overcharging can throw off the timing of the ECM locking up the torque converter or enabling OD, but probably won't affect a 1-2 shift.
On NOx, I have little good news. There is no EGR system on the 3.0l, so in ascending order:
a) check ign. timing
b) make certain not overheating
c) make certain not running too lean (vac leaks, plugged injector(s))
d) replace the front catalytic converter
Regards,
Al S.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 201
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From: ALCONA ONTARIO
Originally Posted by 93nighthawk
I would say that it is coincidence that both happened at the same time.
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Posting Guru
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by Aerocook
If the vacuum line to the modulator is broken or has come off, it will cause late/harsh shift and the vacuum leak could cause rough idle.
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From: Oak Harbor, Washington
Originally Posted by 93nighthawk
Um there is only one cat on the '94 model (at least the one I looked underneath today did)
Posting Guru
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by asavage
Ok. The old ones have two. I guess the newer ones went to a three-way. I don't know.
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by PeterTheHandRock
please forgive my ignorance but what modulator are we speaking about and where is it located? thanks
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 260
From: Oak Harbor, Washington
Originally Posted by PeterTheHandRock
please forgive my ignorance but what modulator are we speaking about and where is it located? thanks
Code:
ftp://asavage.dyndns.org/Aerostar/A4LD_Exploded_View01b.jpg
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