Just picked up 2004 Expedition.. Have questions about a few issues.

[jruppert]

Hello all..

I have been a member on here for a while but haven't had an Expedition. I became a member so I could find out what I needed to know before making a purchase. Today I picked up a 2004 Eddie Bauer. It has high miles but you would never know it. 220,000 to be exact. I got a pretty good deal on it and I have been planning for some time to do a rebuild at some point and do a Lightning motor in whichever one I got. This engine actually runs pretty strong. Maybe the previous owner had it rebuilt? I do have the previous owners information and it appears as if I may be the second owner.

Anyway, a couple issues I am having that I noticed while driving home. The cruise works but you have to press the buttons really hard to get it to register. At first I thought the cruise didnt work at all but I started pressing the buttons and it finally kicked in. I am having the same problem with the volume control for radio. Anyone ever take the switches apart and clean?

The navigation appears to take half a minute sometimes to power on after engine is started. Also, when I hit seek it just scans through the band and doesnt want to pick anything up, yet when I switch to tune it picks up stations just fine.

The cord that connects to the rear defrost window is hanging. It looks like the actual connection that would be mounted to class is not connected. Is this something that can be repaired?

As far as ride, it seems to ride reasonably smooth until you hit some bumps. It does feel a little firm or too firm. Is this typical of the Eddie Bauer's? I once owned a 2005 Expedition NBX a few years back and it seemed to ride much smoother.

Thanks for your time and any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[jruppert]

No one knows?

 

[GAINMOB]

the rear window should be able to fix...i think i remember a thread dealing with that...but that was a oouple of yrs ago...and for the ride...check to see if you have air or springs...if springs...they may have upgraded to stiffer springs like eibach or other brand

 

[jruppert]

Thanks for the reply. It does not have air in the rear. At least I didnt think so. I checked for the switch in rear and couldnt find it.

I had to new tires installed yesterday. I cannot believe how much tires cost of them things. They had BFGoodrich Rugged Trail installed and I had BFGoodrich Long Trail put on. It rides much softer but the rear is still pretty firm when it hits bumps. Maybe they did have stiffer springs/shocks installed back there.

 

[AlexExpy]

I've found my 05 EB to be a bit harsh of a ride, I then checked tire pressure and found them too high. I put them all around 36 PSI and definitely have made a difference, much better ride and more tolerable over bumps.

 

[jruppert]

I've found my 05 EB to be a bit harsh of a ride, I then checked tire pressure and found them too high. I put them all around 36 PSI and definitely have made a difference, much better ride and more tolerable over bumps.

Did you notice a difference in gas mileage when you lowered your pressure?

 

[AlexExpy]

Did you notice a difference in gas mileage when you lowered your pressure?

Are you kidding me!? What the hell kind of question is that? Are you all about saving gas? You should have never bought an EXPY.

 

[jruppert]

Are you kidding me!? What the hell kind of question is that? Are you all about saving gas? You should have never bought an EXPY.

Whoa.. Settle down pal. It was just a question.

The 2005 NBX that I owned averaged around 16-17 mpg. This 2004 that I have is getting around 14 mpg. It was just a question...

 

[GAINMOB]

can you take a pic and loaded on here for your rear defrost? should connect to a plug on the window...as far as the ride...you'd definitely know if you have air or not just by looking...so verify that for us...it could be a couple of things...just the diff between 04 vs 05 and/or diff between EB vs NBX...

 

[AlexExpy]

Whoa.. Settle down pal. It was just a question.

The 2005 NBX that I owned averaged around 16-17 mpg. This 2004 that I have is getting around 14 mpg. It was just a question...

OK, I'm cool. By lower the pressure in the tires we try to achieve a comfortable ride. As for increase MPG I say no because inadvertently you also increase the contact surface and therefore more traction and thus more drag, so if anything in MPG you loose some, but not noticeable amount.

On the other hand a mechanical fan delete that I did a month ago did help with MPG by perhaps half a mile per gallon.

 

[jruppert]

I will take a couple pics later when my wife gets home. From what I saw, the cord is hanging down with the connection that is suppose to be connected to the glass.

I do not believe I have the suspension because I looked in the side behind rear seat and looked into the opening that has a cover. All I saw was a fuel pump shut off switch. I was under the impression that the air ride switch is there.

Other issue I am having is when I put it in reverse the back sensor alarm goes off and I see a message that says to check back sensor. Ive only had this car for a couple days so I havent had a chance to look at much. I will get pics later this afternoon.

 

[jruppert]

OK, I'm cool. By lower the pressure in the tires we try to achieve a comfortable ride. As for increase MPG I say no because inadvertently you also increase the contact surface and therefore more traction and thus more drag, so if anything in MPG you loose some, but not noticeable amount.

On the other hand a mechanical fan delete that I did a month ago did help with MPG by perhaps half a mile per gallon.

Its no big deal really. I just didn't know if you were coming unglued. As far as the fan, this is something that I have been researching and may do this. How are you able to get the computer to control this or do I need to use a manual fan switch?

I am going to attempt to mess with intake today and modify it 'gottsmod'

 

[GAINMOB]

I will take a couple pics later when my wife gets home. From what I saw, the cord is hanging down with the connection that is suppose to be connected to the glass.

I do not believe I have the suspension because I looked in the side behind rear seat and looked into the opening that has a cover. All I saw was a fuel pump shut off switch. I was under the impression that the air ride switch is there.

Other issue I am having is when I put it in reverse the back sensor alarm goes off and I see a message that says to check back sensor. Ive only had this car for a couple days so I havent had a chance to look at much. I will get pics later this afternoon.

i suppose if the air suspension cut-off switch isnt there then you dont have the air ride...i meant for you to check underneath but if you did have air...you should have the switch inside to shut it off too...but i'm not sure if thats true if you only have air on the rear vs front/back...seems logical...so upgraded springs/shocks it is...

 

[GAINMOB]

hopefully this summer i can get with thermo and do the efan mod...

 

[jruppert]

Here are some extra pics. Included is the rear glass with defrost cable. Took some pics of the rear spring on drivers side. I cant get over how clean it is under this car. It has 224,000 miles. Still has stickers on the frame.

 

[jruppert]

more

 

[jruppert]

Anyone know what this second picture is? It is located below drivers seat area. It appears to be a bracket but for what I do not know.

 

[CARO'S98EB]

That is a rubber mounted weight to cancel harmonics in the exhaust.

 

[jruppert]

Interesting, never heard of anything like that.