Questions and Answers

Explorer Questions Q. Hi, I read through all of your topics this afternoon, but none covered the topic I'm inquiring about. I have a 1992 Ford Explorer, 4.0 liter engine, 4-door, 4-wheel drive with automatic hubs. 114,000 miles.

I have a couple of questions for you.

1. I recently installed a mechanical "Sun" temperature gauge as the stock dash unit appeared to not be working. I prefer the gauge anyway for towing. Anyway, the temperature never gets above 140° F. It also takes awhile for the heater to warm up, I am planning to change the thermostat, but wouldn't the temperature eventually get up to 180° or 190° even if the thermostat was bad? Would anything else cause this problem before I replace the thermostat?

2. When I push the 4 wheel drive button on the dash, the light comes on and the 4 wheel engages. When I try to put the vehicle in low range, the light does not come on and nothing happens. I recently purchased this rig, so I'm not sure what is supposed to happen. Is the low range in this vehicle like the older rigs, you end up with a very low range of gears? Is there something I can look for to repair, or should I take it to the shop?

3. Last but not least, there is a whining sound that appears to be coming from the power steering pump. The fluid level is good, no leaks that I can see and the steering works fine. It is annoying thought to hear as it increases with the engine RPM's, a friend said it could be air in the power steering system. Do you have any information on this, is this something common for this year.

Any help you might have would be greatly appreciated before I start to spend lot's of $$$$ on the rig. I like the rig and plan to make all of the necessary repairs.

Best Regards,
Rick

A. Okay Rick, by the numbers.

1. A cooling system that is working as it should will take heat away from the engine faster than it can make it. That's one of the reasons for a thermostat. It maintains the a normal operating temperature and regulates the speed of the coolant through the engine. So, if you have a thermostat stuck open, the engine will not reach operating temperature and, as a consequence, you will not have ample heat for the passengers.

2. If it goes into 4 high and not 4 low, then the chances are you have a bad switch. There is also the possibility that the motor that shifts the transfer case is bad. I have heard that removing the motor and reinstalling it gets them working again. Something about them getting stuck. While I have never come across this personally, I do know of other technicians who have and I have no reason to doubt them.

3. The power steering system may have air in it. There are two ways to purge the air from the system. First is:

1. Check and fill pump reservoir to dipstick FULL COLD or remote reservoir center mark.
2. Disable ignition by disconnecting the EDIS/DIS/TFI module or, for remote TFI, disconnect CMP/Hall Effect/PIP sensor.
3. Crank engine 30 seconds, check fluid level and add if required.
4. Crank engine 30 seconds while cycling the steering wheel lock to lock.
5. Check fluid level and add fluid if required.

NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on the stops.

And the other requires a special setup to draw the air out with a vacuum pump. If the first method does not get the air out, then the vacuum method should be used before condemning the power steering pump as bad.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA

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