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Common problems

139K views 83 replies 56 participants last post by  silentrunning 
#1 ·
This will be a collection of common problems and their solutions, with links to full How-Tos if they are available. Suggestions are welcome. Also remember to check the TSBs if your problem is not described here.

Sticky throttle
Most commonly caused by build-up on the throttle body. This is the part where the throttle and cruise control cables end, and is connected to the rubber intake flex pipe. Remove that pipe and you will see a butterfly valve (throttle plate). Spray coating-safe throttle body cleaner in while operating the throttle plate. Let it set for a while, then spray in some more. If build-up remains, you may have to scrub lightly with a toothbrush. I like to finish it off with a few squirts with the engine running.

Transmission shudder around 40 MPH
Have you had your transmission fluid changed recently, or never at all? Both of these actions can cause the dreaded shudder. Never changing your fluid means the factory fluid has run the course of its useful life and the transmission is now failing. There have also been several reports of incompatibilities between Mercon V and a factory-filled Mercon transmission. If you recently had your fluid changed, especially at a dealership, it was likely filled with Mercon V - the original Mercon license has been discontinued. The only remedy you can do is change the fluid immediately with standard Mercon, preferably fluid that specifically states that it will meet Dexron III(H) specifications. GM stopped Dexron licensing shortly after Ford canned Mercon licenses, and some fluids were switched to cheaper base stock that would only meet Dexron III(G) specifications. The only remaining license from that era is the Allison C4 specification. Note: If your transmission was factory-filled with Mercon V, do not switch to Mercon.

Rough idle/engine dies
Most commonly caused by a dirty idle air control (IAC) valve. This is the metal cylinder mounted on top of the throttle body. Although Ford says this is not possible, you may be able to solve the problem by removing the IAC valve and cleaning it out with throttle body cleaner.
Other possible causes:
2001-2002 Tribute TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=145
2001-2003 Tribute TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=112
2001-2005 Escape TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=95

Clunk when going over a bump
Most commonly caused by bad sway bar links. These are thin metal bars that attach to the struts. If you take the wheels off and push/pull at these links, they may feel loose. If they are loose then replace them, preferably with aftermarket MOOG links which have grease fittings.
Related:
2005-2007 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=125

Low coolant light on (if you think your battery light is on, check here too!)
We have an irregularly shaped coolant overflow tank, which may appear full when it is in fact not. If the low coolant light comes on, which could look like a battery at first glance, add a bit of coolant anyways to see if the light goes off. The real battery light has positive and negative symbols.
2001-2003 Escape TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=83
Other possible cause for 2001 Tribute: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=106
Related:
2006 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=160

Fuel filler nozzle keeps shutting off
This is a result of narrower filler pipes to conform to new emissions standards. Ford is aware of this problem and has a revised filler neck available for certain vehicles.
2005-2006 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=131
Related:
2005-2008 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=303
2008 Hybrid TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1234

Air bag/SRS lamp on
There are connectors located under each of the front seats. If these connectors are dislodged by articles stored under the seat, the SRS lamps may come on. A possible fix is to disconnect and then reconnect the connectors. There are also other possible reasons, outlined in the following TSBs:
2001-2004 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=88
2001-2004 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=91
2005 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=149

Cloth seats are fraying (2005)
Ford is aware of this and has issued a TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=129

Steering column squeaks when turning
While this may appear to come from the base of the steering column, in many cases it is noise transferred from the actual steering rack. There is a TSB released where the power steering fluid is replaced with Mercon V (factory fill is Mercon) and the steering column boot at the base is lubricated.
2001-2003 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=85

Seat belts are slow to retract
This is an annoying "feature" we gain as cars get older. Ford does have a fix kit out that involves Teflon tape somewhere. I am not aware of the exact procedure for the Triplets, so if someone knows that please post it.
2001-2006 TSB: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=90

Brakes squeak when you lift your foot off the pedal
This issue seems to come up once in a while on Escapes with rear drums. This is caused by insufficient lubrication between the brake shoes and the backing plate, and what you are hearing is a metal-to-metal squeal. Get a can of "Disc Brake Quiet" - usually blue or red stuff. Take the drums off and lift the shoes slightly away from the backing plate. You should see three humps on the backing plate where the shoes make contact - spray those down with the disc brake quiet. Be careful not to get any on the friction material itself.

High idle on cold days
This is not really a "problem." Many modern engines are doing this - the best reason I can come up with is to get oil pressure up more quickly. Ford also has a very slow idle decay programmed, so when it shoots up to 2500 RPM on a cold day, it takes a while to come back down. Wait until it drops below 1500 RPM before dropping the car into gear; tapping the accelerator may bring it down faster. For a more permanent solution, the SCT XCal can modify startup idle and idle decay settings.

Sticking door handle
The door handle will feel like it is locked, but the door eventually opens by pulling harder. This is caused by dried up lubrication and dirt buildup. After removing the interior panel, use electrical cleaner to clean off what dirt you can, and apply a lubricant (WD-40 does not last) to the handle assemblies, door lock actuator rod, and the latch assembly. Preferably a dry lubricant would be used for the latch assembly to prevent dirt from being attracted.

Low pitched rumble from one corner of the vehicle
Escapes are reported to eat through wheel bearings, although this may not apply to all years. If a front wheel bearing is bad, the rumble will get louder as you turn - left bearing will get loud as you turn right, and right bearing will get loud as you turn left. With the suspect wheel off the ground, grab the spokes at 12- and 6-o'clock. You should be able to find some play if the bearing is bad. Replacing the bearings requires access to a hydraulic press, so most DIYers will have to bring it to a shop. Expect roughly two hours of labour per wheel, and about $50 per bearing.

ABS light on or premature ABS activation
The first thing to check in this case is the wheel sensor tone rings, especially if you experience cold winters. At the side of the hub towards the engine, you should see what looks like a square-toothed gear that is not driving anything. Check this ring carefully for cracks. Often, with the repeated expansion and contractions brought on by different seasons, this ring will crack and either feed faulty information to the sensor, or move away from the sensor so that the ring cannot be read at all. A quick fix would be to use a product like JB Weld to fix the ring back in place. Some mechanics are willing to spend the labour to replace just the ring. Most shops will recommend replacing the entire axle. Reported symptoms are "Service 4WD System" and "Service Braking System" warning messages, illuminated ABS warning light, and intermittent ABS activation when no wheel slip is present.
2001-2011 Tone ring replacement procedure: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=9379
 
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#2 ·
Wow! I missed this, Squishy! Nice job!

I've already had filler issues with a "check engine" light coming on because I was over filling and the sensor quit. I don't know which sensor, evap maybe? Since the repair, I don't add those extra few drops - when the shutoff kicks out, that's it. So far, no problems.
 
#3 ·
When you say transmission shudder, how much is this noticeable? Ever since I got my tranny rebuilt, I have noticed a shudder that fades in/out around 50/55. Its very faint but I know its there. I don't remember feeling it prior to the tranny replacement either.
 
#5 ·
thanks for the info! i noticed the squeak tonight. i guess i know what one of my next jobs is gonna be.
 
#10 ·
there is a tube of shudder stop that you can purchase from transmission shops. my buddies dad owns one (i worked for him a long time ago) i was on vacation for a month and i stopped in and asked him to take my escape for a test drive cause there was a lockup shudder at 40km/h (second time it happened, first time i took it to ford for a 200 buck tranny flush). without even driving it he gave me a tube of stuff and said to put it in the tranny and go for a drive myself. well its been well over 1500km since i put this stuff in and no more shudder!!!. ford sells the stuff at the dealer for about 40 bucks i think. the guy i know sells it for 10. and puts it in all trannys that get rebuilt that require additives. the stuff worked instantly.
 
#12 ·
just goto a shop, non dealer and ask for some shudder stop for a ford.
 
#15 ·
That's the first time I've heard of either of those. My door handles do stick sometimes, but that's because of the nice coating of ice on it. I haven't noticed any of the mechanical door handle bits sticking on their own.

If you could write a short description of the problem with possible causes and known fixes, I will add it to my post.
 
#16 ·
Door Handle Sticking
It feels like the door is locked and you just have to pull a little harder to get it open.. Not really a huge deal, but it can be a pain in the *** when you're tired. :lol:

Cause - Lack of lubricant in the handle to ease it while opening,

Easy Fix - Pull the interior door panel off and lube it.

Wheel Bearing
You'll get that low pitch rumble a bit like any other car.

Cause - No idea, unusualy fast wear.

Fix - Get a new one and put it on.
 
#18 ·
I have 2 more for you as well, if you don't mind me nagging..

The sunroofs seem to be a problem for a lot of people. One of the tracks has a plastic component that breaks and only allows one side of the sunroof to up into a vant position.. And also won't allow the sunroof so slide open. I'm currently looking for a fix now. In the problems and solutions part of the forum, theres a bit about the sunroof there and a site that may have a kit to fix it for 150.

Rear Hatch actuator.. The hatch won't lock or unlock from the remote or power locks inside the vehicle. If It's locked, you have to peel off the top of the trim pannel and unlock it manualy. You can either order the assembaly from ford.. Or you can order an aftermatket actuator online.
 
#19 ·
Now those I have heard about. :)

Can you write a more detailed description on how you pull the trim panel back? Like what fasteners you removed, where you stuck your fingers to pull, and where the door lock actuator rod is? I think SOP for most shops is to drill a hole where the actuator rod is and then they have colour-matched caps to put in the hole - this is a much better alternative.
 
#22 ·
Well, my truck started doing what some of you are talking about, and that is it's like it shudders, or it's like it coasts in neutral when shifting from 1st to 2nd at low speed (40 km's/hr) and then slams into or engages 2nd in a rough way. I went and had the tranny flushed, but I'd have to double check what they put in it for tranny fluid (I think they put Mercon in it). After getting the flush done, it does it even more often now, including when slowing down from lower speeds sometimes, and sometimes when I floor the accelerator to get up to speed fast from low speed (like trying to get onto the highway or a busy road) it will almost "Hunt" for 2nd, and then engage it almost violently.

Hope the extended warranty I purchased when I bought this truck will cover a tranny rebuild or swap if it fails!

Is it on it's way out? It's got less than 80,000 km's on it...and I know of other vehicles I've driven with the same engine and similar transmission (including an 01 limited 4wd) that had a LOT more km's on them than mine, and didn't have an issue...

Any advice would be great!
 
#23 ·
Unless the fluid is low, then the transmission is likely toast. Does the extended warranty require you to pay for diagnostic fees? If not, keep bringing it in with that issue. If it is easily reproducible, you should end up with a new transmission.
 
#24 ·
We took a look at the plan we have in place with Ford (It's a used vehicle extended warranty that covers quite a lot of expensive repairs/parts actually), and we will perhaps discuss taking it back in to get it diagnosed, and go from there. One of my co-workers said that he's heard of the torque converters in Fords failing prematurely, so I'll have to wait and see what the dealership thinks (and yes, I will go on the road test with the mechanic and make sure it shudders or slams in and out of 2nd as much as possible).

Thanks for the advice/input so far!
 
#25 ·
Davis137 said:
One of my co-workers said that he's heard of the torque converters in Fords failing prematurely, so I'll have to wait and see what the dealership thinks (and yes, I will go on the road test with the mechanic and make sure it shudders or slams in and out of 2nd as much as possible).

Thanks for the advice/input so far!
I never heard of that. Is he a Chebby or GM guy? The least reliable trannys made have the Generals lable on them. Ford actually gets high reliability ratings. Although the older Escort tranny is suspect in it's application on the E/M/T suv's.
 
#26 ·
The GM 4T/L60 transmission is pretty solid, isn't it? Chrysler is the one with transmission issues. Honda had a hiccup when they tried to get fancy with the gears (or so I heard), but I think they've sorted that out.
 
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