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Suspension System: Other Ford Explorer III

Suspension Control Systems 6 illustrations ~1254 words

Wander

Wander is the tendency of the vehicle to require frequent, random left and right steering wheel (3600) corrections to maintain a straight path down a level road.

Shimmy

Shimmy, as observed by the driver, is large, consistent, rotational oscillations of the steering wheel resulting from large, side-to-side (lateral) tire/wheel movements.

Shimmy is usually experienced near 64 km/h (40 mph), and can begin or be amplified when the tire contacts pot holes or irregularities in the road surface.

Nibble

Sometimes confused with shimmy, nibble is a condition resulting from tire interaction with various road surfaces and observed by the driver as small rotational oscillations of the steering wheel.

Poor Returnability/Sticky Steering

Poor Returnability and sticky steering is used to describe the poor return of the steering wheel to center after a turn or the steering correction is completed.

Drift/Pull

Pull is a tugging sensation, felt by the hands on the steering wheel, that must be overcome to keep the vehicle going straight.

Drift describes what a vehicle with this condition does with hands off the steering wheel.

  1. A vehicle-related drift/pull, on a flat road, will cause a consistent deviation from the straight-ahead path and require constant steering input in the opposite direction to counteract the effect.
  2. Drift/pull may be induced by conditions external to the vehicle (i.e., wind, road camber).

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The optional tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has the ability to monitor the air pressure of all five tires. The tire-mounted pressure sensors transmit signals to the TPMS module by using the valve stem as an antenna. These transmissions are sent approximately every 30 seconds when the vehicle speed exceeds 32 km/h (20 mph). The TPMS module compares each tire pressure sensor transmission against two pressure limits - low and high. If the TPMS module determines that the tire pressure has exceeded the low or high limit, the TPMS module communicates on the SCP network to the vehicle message center, which then displays a warning message.

Replacement tires must follow the recommended

  1. tire sizes.
  2. speed rating.
  3. load range.
  4. tire construction type.

Use of any other tire size or type can seriously affect

  1. ride.
  2. handling.
  3. speedometer/odometer calibration.
  4. vehicle ground clearance.
  5. tire clearance between the body and chassis.
  6. wheel bearing life.
  7. brake cooling.

New wheels need to be installed when vehicle's wheels

  1. are bent.
  2. are cracked.
  3. are dented.
  4. are heavily corroded.
  5. are leaking.
  6. have elongated wheel hub bolt holes.
  7. have excessive lateral or radial runout.

It is mandatory to use only the tire sizes recommended on the tire chart attached to the vehicle. Larger or smaller tires can damage the vehicle, affect durability, and require changing the speedometer calibration. Make sure wheel size and offsets match those recommended for the tire in use.

  1. Inspect for signs of uneven wear that may indicate a need for balancing, rotation or front suspension alignment, a damaged tie-rod, or damaged steering components.
  2. Check tires for: cuts. stone bruises. abrasions blisters. embedded objects.
  3. Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. Install a new tire when the indicator bands become visible.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM

Refer to Wiring Diagrams Cell 118 for schematic and connector information.

Scheme 65

Scheme 65: Special Tool(s)
Scheme 65: Special Tool(s)

Scheme 66

Scheme 66: Inspection and Verification
Scheme 66: Inspection and Verification
  1. Verify the customer concern by inspecting the vehicle and observing the message center.
  2. Inspect to determine if one of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply
  3. If the inspection reveals an obvious concern(s) that can be readily identified, repair as required.
  4. If the concern remains after the inspection, connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC) located beneath the instrument panel and select the vehicle to be tested from the scan tool menu. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle: check the connections to the vehicle. check the ignition switch position. verify that the battery voltage is between 10 and 17 volts. Refer to «BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM»(ref-194056) .
  5. If the scan tool still does not communicate with the vehicle, refer to the scan tool manual.
  6. Carry out the DATA LINK DIAGNOSTIC TEST. If the scan tool responds with: CKT914, CKT915 or CKT70 = ALL ECUS NO RESP/NOT EQUIP, refer to «MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK»(ref-194061) . SYSTEM PASSED, retrieve and record the continuous diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), erase the continuous DTCs, and carry out self-test diagnostics for the TPMS module.
  7. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, refer to Tire Pressure Monitor Module Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index to continue diagnostics.
  8. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart to continue diagnostics.

Possible Causes

  1. Power supply circuit 1002 (BK/PK) (ignition feed)
  2. Power circuit 3049 (BK/LG) (B+ voltage at all times)
  3. Ground circuit 57 (BK)
  4. TPMS module
  5. Scan tool
  6. Data link connector (DLC) and wiring
  1. Circuit 1002 (BK/PK) ignition power
  2. BPP switch
  3. Ignition status (from instrument cluster)
  4. SCP network
  5. TPMS module
  1. Low tire pressure(s)
  2. Tire pressure sensor(s)
  3. TPMS module DTC(s)

Scheme 67

Scheme 67: Testing
Scheme 67: Testing
  1. Horn circuitry
  2. Circuit 490 (DB)
  3. TPMS module
  1. Tire pressure sensor
  2. TPMS module
  3. Tire pressure sensor battery

Scheme 68

Scheme 68: Testing
Scheme 68: Testing

Scheme 69

Scheme 69
Scheme 69

Sensor Training

Note. The tire pressure sensor training procedure must be done in an area without radio frequency (RF) noise.

RF noise is generated by electrical motor and appliance operation, cellular telephones, and remote transmitters.

  1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position three times, ending in the RUN position. Do not wait more than two minutes between each key cycle.
  3. Press and release the brake pedal.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
  5. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position three times, ending in the RUN position. Do not wait more than two minutes between each key cycle.
  6. When the message center displays "TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE", place the magnet on the valve stem of the LF tire pressure sensor. The horn will sound briefly to indicate that the tire pressure sensor has been recognized by the TPMS module.
  7. Within two minutes after the horn sounds, place the magnet on the valve stem of the RF tire pressure sensor. NOTE: If the TPMS module does not recognize any one of the five tire pressure sensors during the tire training procedure, the horn will sound twice and the message center will display "TIRE TRAINING MODE INCOMPLETE" and the procedure must be repeated.
  8. Repeat Step 7 for the RR, LR, and spare tires. When the tire training procedure is complete, the horn will sound twice and the message center will display "TIRE TRAINING MODE COMPLETE".

Scheme 70

Scheme 70: Inspection and Verification
Scheme 70: Inspection and Verification
  1. Road test. Verify the customer's concern by carrying out a road test on a smooth road. If any vibrations are apparent, refer to «NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS»(ref-211718) .
  2. Inspect tires. Check the tire pressure with all normal loads in the vehicle and the tires cold. Refer to the vehicle certification (VC) label. Verify that all tires are sized to specification. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-194026-S01650724292005092600000) . Inspect the tires for incorrect wear and damage. Install new tires as necessary.
  3. Inspect chassis and underbody. Remove any excessive accumulation of mud, dirt or road deposits from the chassis and underbody.
  4. Inspect for aftermarket equipment. Check for aftermarket changes to the steering, suspension, wheel and tire components (such as competition, heavy duty, etc.) The specifications shown in this manual do not apply to vehicles equipped with aftermarket equipment.
  5. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported condition is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
  6. If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom. GO to «Symptom Chart»(ref-194026-S16311315842005092600000) .

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