FordExcursions.com Forums
Sari Leinonen
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• Reksteren, XX, Norway |
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• Registered on 9/5/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
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 Posted:9/26/2003 13:36 |
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Hei everybody
I hope you can understand my english and give me some advice. I have 2002 mod. excursion and
the big problem now is, that the generator does not work. Batteries go totally empty when you drive 40 miles. We have been driving a week now taking batteries out every day and loading them. Not very funny!!!! Batteries themselves should be ok. Could this be something else than generator?? And if it is generator, is it possible to replace yourself? Many difficulties?
I wrote a few weeks ago about acceleration problem. Could this generation or whatever electricity problem cause that too?? I have had this car 2 months and did not think that I will be having so many problems so far. Please help!! Somebody... |
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Godfather
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• Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 4/13/2003 |
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• 53 posts |
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Posted:9/26/2003 19:26 |
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Hi Sari- I hope you can understand my English, or New Yawkker accent. Your post about the lack of throttle control got me thinking. Here's an earlier post I did. I hope it helps you...
UPDATE/UPDATE: July 12,2003 NOW 72,000 miles at 15months old!!
Alternator died at 70k - cost $290 at dealer plus labor etc. Has anyone else had this happen??
THANKS FORD for deleting amps or volts gauge and substituting the ABSOLUTELY USELESS trans temp gauge that always reads the same!! Because of the stupid deletion I had NO WAY of telling the alternator was dying!!
Listen to this guys- guess what was the absolute LAST warning light to come on??? That's right - alternator!!!
EVEN BETTER: As the juice was slowly dropping, here's what I noticed:
1. Dash & interior lights dimmed.
2. Headlights dimmed.
3. ABS light came on!! (Watch the pattern)
4. Trans Overdrive gearshift light started to blink!
5. Airbag light came on.
6. I pulled over and clicking solenoid/no start/lotsa cursing!!
I WONDER if you guys with errant dash emergency lights are having these "ghosts" caused by charging system problems???
MORAL of the STORY: Im getting the pillar gauges BUT, they're gonna' be AMPS, VOLTS and TRANS TEMP.
I recommned you do the same!!!!
BTW, Country Ford in Levittown Long Island NY was very good and Jodi the service fox, is a doll!!!
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MAJOR QUESTION: How HARD do you guys drive your Xs!!! Mine has lotsa'
highway miles but many are with 3 ton trailer YET:
1. Still have OEM Firestones (I hate that Japanese company!!). I finally had them rotated (1st) time at 70k- fronts (now rears) were VERY cupped and mad a horrendous WUMP,WUMP,WUMP sound.
I was SURE it was a wheel bearing but, Jodi was right- it was the tires!!
Any recommendations for inevitable replacements? I actually want a quiet rib truck style tire (like Armstrong) OR the Goodyear HPs like the Land Rover uses.
2. Brakes: STILL the originals with a very slight pulse. I think I'll run these till they're metal on metal and do the ART upgrade BUT,
I see my discontent with ART- now what??
How hard do you guys drive to need brakes so often???
3. I do OC&F around 5,000 to 7,000 (Pennzoil 15w40 Diesel & 99 cent Penske filters BUT I add 2 cans of Lubro moly supplement with each change.
4. Confession time: I still haven't changed the tranny fluid/filter- 40 LASHES !! I'd like to add a spin on filter in th e return line from the rad/cooler and may use the typical standard oil filter for Fords (PER 1, Fram PH8A etc)- WILL THIS WORK ??? Has anyone ever tried this ?? I think it should work A-Ok but maybe there's some 1st hand experience.....
5. Mo' confessions: Fuel filter changed ONCE at 30k and air filter at 60k - More lashes!! Truck runs great though!!
6. Fuel supplements- I've used Stanadyne a few times BUT it's VERY hard to find. I usually buy the cheapest gallon of ATF or 10W30
and throw that in at fill up (44gals-cool!).
I always treated my Diesel Rabbits to a quart of the same ( 10 gal tank) and the one i still have (218k) runs great. Maybe the oil cleans the filter or am I lucky and always get good truckstop Diesel!!
BTW- If Kero is available cheap, I'll put in 25% or so!!!
7. Do "youse guyz" let the turbo cool/spool down before shut off? Do you drive VERY SLOWLY when cold till she warms up?
These are my normal SOP on everything I drive or ride.
8. I've read lots of stuff about antifreeze/cooling system pinholes!! It's time to change mine or add the supplement- what is the
right thing to do????
The other question is how do you drain the 20 feet of lines to the "tail gunner" rear heater core and then- bleeding???
I almost am inclined to flush and put in "old reliable" - green Prestone anti freeze- comments PLEASE!!!
I KNOW I raised lotsa points here and appreciate you reading it all but, I'm keeping this truck FOREVER and hope my transgressions
are not fatal. Thanks guys..
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Here's old post (April):
I LOVE this truck and live in it just about... Solo @ 70 cruise on highway it will get 18 to 19 mpg (4wd) and pulling HUGE car trailer with FLAT 9x9 front it drops to 11. Will a roof wing help???
Fuel filter- this is the round top-of-engine type of filter. What's a good price/quality/manufacturers # for replacement, please??? TIA for your help.
Here's my tip for oil filters: K Mart is dropping the Penske line and has the 1995# filters for (get this!!) .99 cents!!! I already have 50 "in stock". Another good source: Sears has the Purolator ones for $ 2.99.
Tip # 2: I always have VW Rabbit diesels and luv em'. I have always used a moly oil additive in them and the Excursion, except because of the 15 quart cap, I throw two in at change time (5-6 k) with the Pennzoil 15-40 diesel oil (again KMart @$6.00/gal). Has anyone else used Lubro Moly oil additive?? I use it in my Harleys too!!
I'm glad I found this forum- Thanks!! Ciao, Godfather
PS: Is there a steering box problem?? My 2002 has a 5 degree dead spot and drifts since new over lane dividers??? How about rear water leaks ????
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Sari- Your Excursion has an alternator. If the batteries are good, they wiil recharge and run till depleted. You should have at least 13.5 volts DC at the battery with the engine running and about 12.5 VDC with the engine off. I would take the truck to a mechanic and have a charging system check to see if the alternator is charging correctly under load. Don't be surprised if the alternator is bad.
Changing the alternator is simple- only 3 bolts. Be careful to have the new alternator checked first to insure it's good. I tried replacing it myself first BUT, the one I bought was defective!! Then I took the Exc to the dealer and they replaced the original one.
I bet your acceleration problem was caused by low voltage. Look at my description of how my truck acted as the volts dropped. GOOD LUCK!!!
E mail me if you have any questions. [email protected] |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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 Posted:11/21/2003 11:03 |
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Sari.. you might want to check the charge wire conection on the alternator (generator). I discovered that the crimp on connector was bad and my system was not charging. It had actualy got hot and burned. I changed the connectior and everything is fine now. I am going to make a post on this because I think perhaps people are paying for new alternators for nothing. Its an easy check since the wire is at the top and its the big one. Oh.. and if this is your problem.... its a cheap fix.
Dave.
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Edward Newman
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• Long Island, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 12/9/2003 |
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• 18 posts |
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Posted:12/9/2003 10:53 |
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Our fleet currently has (6) 7.3l PSD's in the 00-03 range. So far two have had the alternator and batteries needing replacement. One Excursion at 70,000 miles and 1 F-350 at 40,000, but it spends ALOT of time idling. 3 of the remaining 4 have dual alternators so they may fair better. All vehicles idle extensively and have emergency vehicle lighting and large electric inverters |
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