Has my car finally died?
(2011-03-05 15:20:14) 1. Says: I have a 2003 Ford Explorer. I have about 55,000 miles on it. It's always had problems like lights that would remain on for a strange amount of time right after the car gets locked as well as "door ajar" warnings for no doors that were ajar. Among other things, I mostly have many trivial problems that were kind of annoying, but the car of course still operated fine. About a year ago, I couldn't start it when I was about to drive home for the break from university. I had to get it jumped so I bought a new battery. Now, starting about 9 months later, my car has been acting really sluggish. Start ups are laggy and when I pull out, the engine feels kind of spazzy instead of any kind of smoothness you'd want. Yesterday, the car wouldn't start all. The lights on the guages would flicker rapidly, but no engine turned on. Jumping it didn't work so I had battery recharger that hooked up from my garage. After about 2 hours, my car DID start, but I didn't use it again until this morning. Now my car seems to be in even worse shape. as I said about the rapid flickering from the day before, there was even LESS of it today, so I think my car might be in worse shape. I'm contemplating using a battery recharger again, but I don't really have 3 or more hours to wait around. Besides, even if it did work today, there's no guarantee it will work the next day, as I saw with my own eyes.So has my car finally kicked the bucket?2. Says: There Could be a sensor problem. Also you should check the wiring of the car, for corroding of the wires or if the wires are not grounded good enough. Make sure you take it in for tune ups, and check for any recalls online or in the dealer. Also if you know the car and you have a repair manual, put the key in the ignition and turn it to the on position ( but do not start the car) do it 3 times and, the engine will flash so many times. Count the times it flashed and it will tell you in the repair manual.3. Says: Diagnosis/Tuneup at Ford only.
That's the only way you will know.
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“…independent mechanics complain they lack the proprietary tools and data to service many late-model cars…” some 2004 models and earlier. Wall St Journal, Feb, 2011.
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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703555804576102272750344178.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_smallbusiness
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Independent auto mechanics seek “Right to Repair” law allowing them access to manufacturers’ databases.4. Says: I don't see why you should just give up on a car that only has 55,000 miles. There is a good chance it's something simple like a relay or sensor that's causing the problem.
Scrape up some extra money and take it to a pro before you call it quits.
good Luck.5. Says: The problem is with your engine's head - this kind of engine requires cleaning at regular intervals and with Ford as their tag , even more. 55,000 is not much however you would like to check your electical wires as well as in ford this is a common problem. The relay and sesors need to be checked by a pro. Or better just try and follow each wire and you will notice the difference in the hood... The injectors would also need a check to ensure that proper pressure is maintained in the combustion chamber....I hope this helps Tag: Has my car finally died?