Hey folks. Need some help with my wife's 2006 Exp. We were driving today and I noticed a fairly loud rattling/grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle, I think. It happened randomly at highway speeds between approx 45-75. I couldn't do anything to make it start but when it happened, if I let off the gas it would stop immediately or almost immediately. I know rattling/grinding is a weird way to describe it but I really can't think of another way to describe. It's not a deep "gears grinding" noise but more of a thinner metal rattling/grinding on something. Also, when I used the steering column stalk to turn off the O/D, it seemed like it didn't happen as often. I'm about 250 miles from home so any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
Rattling/Grinding noise? HELP!
- Thread starter faulk175
- Start date
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KWT2000
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when it stops making noise is it followed by a clunk or anything?
Not that I noticed. Thanks
FordandPolaris
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Check all your heat shields for loose bolts.
FordandPolaris
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On rare occasion, a catalytic converter will break apart and cause a rattle. I would think you would see a decrease in performance and a trouble code if it were that though. I would not be afraid to drive it if nothing has changed aside from this noise popping up.
I used to have a bad rattle that I chased for years in my truck (even before I started driving it). I finally found it was the dust shield on the bottom of the bell housing that was missing a bolt on one side. It would only occur under acceleration like yours.
I used to have a bad rattle that I chased for years in my truck (even before I started driving it). I finally found it was the dust shield on the bottom of the bell housing that was missing a bolt on one side. It would only occur under acceleration like yours.
mindgame
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Replace your IWE Solenoid...
Try this.. on a straight road, when rattling starts, switch to 4x4.
Does rattling stop? If so, your IWE solenoid is bad.. Its a quick fix and part cost approx. $30.
Try this.. on a straight road, when rattling starts, switch to 4x4.
Does rattling stop? If so, your IWE solenoid is bad.. Its a quick fix and part cost approx. $30.
IWE SOLENOID! Thanks Mindgame. I finally got it to act up again yesterday afternoon and tried the little test you suggested. Apparently this is a pretty widespread issue with certain years of all 4WD Fords. I'm going to try to get the part and fix it this afternoon.
ExpeditionAndy
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What is the IWE solenoid and where is it located?
mindgame
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It is located near the battery on the firewall...
Got this googling
Google Image Result for http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/thediamonds/P1000673.jpg
Last edited:
mindgame
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*UPDATE* Sorry for taking a while to get back to you to let you know what I found. This is long post but I want to give all the info that I can in hopes of helping someone else in the future if they are having similar problems. After trying what MINDGAME suggested, I was pretty confident that it was the IWE solenoid, and even more so after reading all of the info about this problem with a lot of 4WD Fords. Within a few days of the grinding/clanking noise starting, the AC would sometimes blow out of the dash vents, and sometimes out of the defrost vents. I was pretty sure the two were related but when I was looking around under the hood, tracing vacuum lines, I couldn't find anything obvious. When I finally got the new IWE solenoid in the mail (more info to follow) I went out to get it replaced. I removed the battery and battery tray and there it was. I had a vacuum line completely broken in half that I couldn't see before because of the battery tray being in the way. It was about 6" away from one of the lines going into the IWE solenoid. My thoughts were that the broken line were most likely causing my AC issue as well as the solenoid issue. Being that the new IWE solenoid was only $40 and damage caused to the front end would be hundreds, if not thousands, I went ahead and replaced the solenoid with the new part. Not worth the risk, if you ask me. I got her switched out, battery tray and battery put back in and took her for a spin. No grinding/clanking and the AC works as it should. Thanks for all the help. One more thing. The local dealership wanted $49 for the part. I found it for $24 online plus 15 shipping. That only saved me $10 but being furloughed from work, I'll take that 10 bucks anyday.
ExpeditionAndy
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Just curious, but where do you find the IWE Solenoid?
mindgame
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Did a quick google - iwe solenoid f150 (since I know it is the same placement)
Pics of IWE solenoid - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
ExpeditionAndy
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Thanks I now know what to look for. Thanks!
Mark Walerysiak
New Member
Faulk, did this solution work for you? I’m having the same issues.
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