01 Explorer Sport Trac, Several Issues...HELP

[levi.calhoun]

I just got this truck like almost two weeks ago. Everything was working fine when i test drove it, but when i was driving it home i noticed some problems:

1. When i start up the truck or turn it on it beeps at me, 5 sets of 5 beeps i think. There are no lights on when its beeping and it dosent matter if i have the seatbelt on or not, thats a different beep. Ive tried checking everything i can think if to make it stop but im out of ideas.

2. Today for the first time it started acting like the trans was slipping then it would grab in a lower gear and then it would be fine agian til i hit the same gear/speed/whatever. Then when i got to the college this morning i saw the OD light flashing. I cut the truck off and started it back up and put it in gear and it was fine. I saw another post saying it was probly a sticking shift valve. Is this correct? Or can something else be causing it? Im planning on changing the fluid and filter and adding a bottle of lucas trans fix.

3. Im getting a whining noise when im on the interstate. I can only hear it when the back glass is down and no radio. Its not the tires because i know that sound and its too high of a sound. This sounds more like gears whining kind of like a supercharger or timing gears. I didnt pay it much attention at first but with the trans problems im starting to worry.

4. Not a biggie but the radio display isnt working. Again it was working on the test drive, but the guys told me it was probly just the display fuse which im yet to find. I think they were jsut telling me that so i would leave them alone. I dont think there is one because ive worked on cars alot before and i havent been able to find a fuse for just the display. I think im going to have to replace the whole radio or get somone to fix this one.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Im starting to think i got a lemon but now im stuck with it and need to start getting this fixed before i have a major problem like having to buy a whole new transmission. Thanks.

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

The beeping likely indicates that there is a bulb, probably for the airbag system (SRS) that is burned out in the instrument cluster. When the key is first turned to the Run position the various warning indicators should perform a bulb test. See which one doesn't work (Check Engine, Airbag, ABS, Brake, etc.).

Which transmission does your Sport Trac have? I'm guessing the 5-speed automatic. Sticking shift solenoids were fairly common in these, but the typical cause for the sticking is claimed to be permanent and can't be fixed by new fluid or additives. Maybe you'll get lucky.

Search the forum for "pinion gear" and "rear bearing" to see which seems more applicable to your sound and model year.

Display fuse, that's one I haven't heard before. Wouldn't they replace it if that's all it was? It's probably a bad solder joint somewhere inside the deck. I'm trying to remember if this is a common issue or not. I think I'm getting this confused with the odometer display (or lack thereof) issue. You can probably get a used deck off an auction site for pretty cheap, or go aftermarket.

-Rod

[levi.calhoun]

I did the fluid and the trans fix but it didnt make any difference. i was thinking it would since the fluid was actually a little low. Since the problem does seem to be permanent what do i need to do to fix the problem? Do i need to get the whole trans rebuilt or is it something thats not too difficult to do; like pulling off the pan and its someting in there or what? I worked at a shop for a few years but i didnt do trans work. Oh and one more question... if this isnt fixed immediately will the trans burn up or something really major? You said shift solenoid right? ive heard valve or something before but is that the same thing?

i havent noticed any bulbs out i know the air bag, brake, check engine, od off, and i cant think of the others but ill be sure to check that. Any other ideas of the cause of the beeps?

[shorod]

As for the bulbs that should illuminate during the bulb test, check your owner's manual and make sure they're all coming on.

There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for the shift solenoids if you have the 5-speed automatic. I'm wondering if maybe you don't because I don't think any of the 5-speed autos have a dipstick, making it difficult to determine if it's low. Fortunately for me, the only time I've had to have the solenoids worked on was under warranty. I don't believe the tranny pan needs to be removed for this, but rather the pack is mounted to the side of the tranny.

You might try searching this forum for more details or wait for someone who's actually attempted the repair to respond. You could also Google "Ford solenoid TSB" and see what you find.

-Rod

[levi.calhoun]

Im pretty sure that its a 5 speed aod trans but im not 100% on that. its got the o/d off button on the column and the trans dipstick is yellow on top that says use mercon v i think. ill get the numbers off the trans and find out for sure. i was hoping that the thing was on the outside of the transmission. thats what my dad was telling me about on one of his trucks.

in response to the bulbs in the dash making the beeping continue ive been watching all of the lights when i go to start the truck and they all seem to be working.

dos the 'check gas cap' and some other thing about the gas cap light, light up during the bulb test? because those are the only ones that im not 100% light up. also the brake light dosent always light up when i have the break on could that be part of the problem? something else thats weird is when i cut my headlights on i have to do it twice to get the lights on the radio, AC controls, dash lights to come on. could that have somethign to do with the beeping also?

[shorod]

You'd probably need to check your owner's manual to see if it details which bulbs should come on for the bulb test. As for the other electrical issues, it sounds suspicious and they could certainly all be linked. I'm not thinking of a good place to start looking though.

-Rod

[levi.calhoun]

ok ill check into that. im going by the parts store to see what i can find out and about the part. im really hoping its what i think it is; the soleniod mentioned previously... if it is or if its not ill let yall know because i still have plenty of issues with this exploder...

i have another quick question. where do i find the code for the door kaypad? ive read a few of them on this site before and it said to look in the compartment behind the back seat where the jack and lug wrench is and it was a sticker near some electrical box or something like that. i looked and i dont see it anywhere and i dont see any kind of electrical anything or any kind of box. if anyone knows where it is PLEASE let me know before i lock myslef out, i seem to do that alot. thanks

also any suggestions about where to find another stock cd player or where to get the display fixed on mine. thanks again.

[dugan50]

ShoRod is correct about the beeping sound. Here's a site that will explain everything you need to know about airbag lights and resetting the system.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/

This website gives you the procedure for diagnosing and resetting airbag lights. See if your car is listed here. Although it’s a pay site ($14.95/day), it’s a lot cheaper than going to the dealer
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/vehicles_list.aspx

On most vehicles, the airbag light should come on for @6 seconds, and then go off if the system is working properly. If there is a fault or a problem in the system, the light will remain illuminated, or flash continuously. If the airbag light does not work properly, some vehicles have an audible tone that sounds indicating a problem with the airbag light system. When the light is on (or the tone is sounding), the airbag will NOT deploy, even in an accident.
The flashing light on your car is telling the answer you need. On some vehicles, the light is flashing a two digit code. Once you know the code, you can most likely repair it yourself. There are fairly easy procedures that most people are capable of repairing.
Airbagsolutions.com has the fault code charts to tell you what is wrong and how to fix it!

Some vehicle manufacturers accommodate systems without a scanner (like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infinity, Honda, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mazda & Mercury) and some require a scan tool.

Check out these websites also for more info on airbag systems and the light.
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/arch...ould-i-do.aspx

Lastly, check your vehicle for recalls through this link also:
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/nhtsa.aspx