Ford Explorer: General Information / Description and Operation - About this Manual

Introduction

  WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure in this manual, refer to health and safety warnings in section 100-00 General Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

For additional information, refer to: Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

This manual describes and directs repair procedures specified by Ford Motor Company for the vehicle. Critical health and safety precautions are included. Anyone who deviates from these instructions risks compromising personal safety or vehicle integrity.

SECTION CONTENT

This manual is divided into groups, each containing sections numbered based on the component part number. Section contents may include:

• Specifications
  • Fluid capacities, component specifications and torque values not covered in other procedures
• Description and Operation
  • Overview of the system, component locations, and system operation
• Diagnosis and Testing
  • Symptom charts, DTC charts and diagnostic tests
  • See the Diagnosis and Testing Information in this document
• General Procedures
  • Service adjustments, electronic programming and other special procedures
• Removal and Installation
  • Component removal and installation instructions
• Removal
  • Component removal instructions
• Installation
  • Component installation instructions
• Disassembly and Assembly
  • Component disassembly and assembly instructions
• Disassembly and Assembly of Subassemblies
  • Assembly disassembly and assembly instructions

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Section number 100-00 General Information contains the following important information (including this document):

• Critical Health and Safety Precautions - service safety precautions applicable to the entire manual.
  For additional information, refer to: Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
  
• A Symbols Glossary - definitions of the action directed by each symbol.
  For additional information, refer to: Symbols Glossary (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
  
• Diagnostic Methods - support information for diagnostics.
  For additional information, refer to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
  

Warnings, Notices and Notes

WARNINGS

Warnings provide information to avoid personal injury and to make sure service actions on critical safety systems are performed correctly. Warnings that apply to an entire system or workshop manual section are located in section 100-00 Description and Operation, Health and Safety Precautions.
For additional information, refer to: Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

NOTICES (in some publications, CAUTIONS)

Notices provide information to avoid damage to the vehicle or a component.

NOTES

Notes provide information critical for a complete and effective repair.

Warnings, Notices, or Notes that apply to an entire procedure will be placed at the beginning of the procedure. Warnings, Notices, or Notes that apply to a single step are placed at the beginning of the step. Those that apply to a group of steps will be placed at the first step requiring it.

Safety Relevant Systems

Repair of a vehicle safety relevant system is to be achieved only by replacement of the failed component(s), unless specified otherwise in the procedure. Repair of a vehicle safety relevant system component should not be attempted.

If directed during assembly of system components, lubricate any seal(s) only with the specified material. Failure to follow this instruction may result in seal failure and leakage.

Specified Chemicals or Materials

Throughout this manual, chemicals or materials are specified that must be used to properly complete a service procedure or diagnostic step. In the event a specific material is not readily available, a substitute material meeting the same specification may be used. Ford has not reviewed third party products for compliance with environmental, health or safety regulations and is not responsible for their use. Use of third party products is at your own risk. Additionally, such products may cause degraded performance, premature failures, and/or vehicle component damage. All chemicals or materials used for vehicle servicing should be checked for compliance with local environmental and health and safety regulations.

LH and RH Designations

All LH and RH designations are oriented from the driver's seat position looking forward.

Vehicle LH and RH definition

All LH and RH engine designations are oriented from the flywheel position looking toward the crankshaft pulley.

Powertrain LH and RH definition

Standard Practices

The following rules apply, unless specified differently in the procedure:

FASTENERS

• Reuse standard fasteners.
• Replace fasteners with self-locking features.
  • Examples of fastener self-locking coatings or mechanical locking (with the locking features highlighted yellow) are shown in the illustration.

Examples of self-locking nuts and bolts

THREAD FORMING FASTENERS

The following is a general description of best practices to be followed during handling of thread forming fasteners and mating components.

Manual Torque Application

Hand tools are required for installation of a thread forming fastener. Do NOT use power tools, as the possibility for over-torqueing or stripped threads exists. If a fastener is over-torqued, the joint can fail.

Hand Start Fasteners in Reverse

To avoid the possibility of cross-threading pre-existing threads during fastener replacement, begin by first hand-inserting the new fastener and rotating counter-clockwise. This reverse rotation allows for the location of existing fastener threads to ensure the fastener does not cross-thread upon thread re-engagement. Once the existing fastener threads are located, hand-start individual fasteners manually until finger tight.

Risks of Over-Torque

Consult the Workshop Manual procedure when torqueing thread forming fasteners and follow torque specification as listed. Make sure the fastener is fully seated against the mating component with no gap during reassembly.

Corrosion

During fastener replacement, inspect both fastener and mating component for signs of rust or other corrosion. If corrosion is found, replace corroded components with new components.

Stripped Threads

If internal (mating component) threads or external (fastener) threads appear stripped or galled, replace both fastener and mating component. When tightening, if minimum torque is not reached, internal threads on mating component may have stripped. Remove the fastener to inspect and replace mating component if stripped threads are found.

Face Seals

When replacing fasteners, inspect mating component surface for debris, damage, disturbance, wear, or abrasion and replace any seals or gaskets if damage is found.

SEALS AND GASKETS

Replace seals and gaskets, unless specified differently in the procedure.

EXTERIOR TRIM PARTS

Replace exterior trim parts fastened with glue or adhesive tape, unless specified differently in the procedure.

Mechanical Procedures

Illustrations in this manual may be used instead of written step instructions. Color-coding (see color scheme illustration) is used to communicate the required step action or actions. Service action icons may be used to add information regarding the required action.
For additional information, refer to: Symbols Glossary (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Illustration Color-coding

Other color coding

• Alternating Blue and White
  • Chemical, adhesive or sealer apply areas
• Red
  • Sectioned or cut-away areas
• Grey
  • Background components shown for location information

ILLUSTRATION TASK SEQUENCE

Components that must be removed or installed in a specific sequence are identified with a numbered callout. Any associated step text is numbered accordingly.

Simple procedure example showing color-coding and task sequence.

Black arrows are used to draw attention to components (usually fasteners). Arrows with multiples specified (here, x2) identify an identical number of fasteners or items. Callouts (numbers inside circles) show a required sequence or tightening torque.

In the illustration, the callouts indicate the removal sequence, which is reversed for installation. The yellow coloring of the hose indicates it is to be positioned aside (not removed). Two identical (magenta-colored) fasteners are indicated by the x2 arrow. The fasteners in this illustration require different torques (same torque for the x2 fasteners) so numbered callouts are used to identify them with torque values in the associated step text. The (magenta-colored) hose clamp is another fastener to be removed.

Examples of fastener removal sequence and an identical service action for 12 fasteners. Other possible symbols are shown on the right.

Example of fastener sequence information with two persons required for the service action

HIDDEN DETAILS

Separate detail boxes or transparent components may be used to show hidden items in an illustration.

Example of hidden fastener information

SERVICE ACTION ICONS

Service action icons may be used to add information regarding the required action.
For additional information, refer to: Symbols Glossary (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Location symbols show the location of a component or system on the vehicle.

Example of service action icons pointing to highlighted components.

Movement arrows and service action icons show three dimensional or rotational movements.

Instruction symbols are used to apply sealer, lubricant, weight, tape or cleaning detergent to a component.

Measurement symbols provide the information required to perform a specific measurement. These symbols may include specific values.

SPECIAL TOOLS, POWER TOOLS, GENERAL EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND TORQUE VALUES

Commercially available power tools, hand tools and general equipment are used in service along with Ford special tools. Use of power tools is acceptable during removal or disassembly procedures unless specified otherwise in the service procedure. Power tools are not to be used during assembly or installation, with the exception of wheel installation. It is permissible to use a pneumatic impact wrench in conjunction with a torque stick. Follow the torque stick manufacturer's recommendations for use when applying the tightening torque to the wheel nuts.

When Ford special tools are required for the procedure, the tool and tool number are shown in an illustration. Special tool numbers, general equipment, materials or torque values for the procedure step are shown in the text steps.

Example of special service tool and symbol used to hold the gear shift in the required gear position. Other possible symbols are shown on the right.

Example of two illustrations used together with sequence steps, service action icons and special service tools

Tool symbols direct the use of standard tools. The tool size or dimension may be specified.

HEALTH AND SAFETY SYMBOLS

Some procedures may contain health and safety symbols that are associated with a specific service action.
For additional information, refer to: Symbols Glossary (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
Always read and understand all health and safety precautions found in Section 100-00 before beginning any procedure. For additional information, refer to: Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

ISO warning symbols may be used to indicate potential hazards.

These symbols prohibit various hazardous actions

These symbols direct the use of personal protection equipment

Diagnosis and Testing Information

ELEMENTS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Diagnosis and Testing may include:

• Preliminary Inspection
  • In older manuals, Inspection and Verification
• Symptom Chart
• DTC Chart
• Pinpoint Tests
• Component Tests

Some diagnostics may be contained in Symptom Based Diagnostics. Some engine performance and emission diagnostics may be placed in a separately published PC/ED manual.

MODULE NAMES MATCH THE DIAGNOSTIC SCAN TOOL

Module names and PID names in this manual match the Ford diagnostic scan tool: IDS or FDRS.

The same diagnostic scan tool module name is found in some DTC definitions (for example, U024B Lost Communication with Seat Control Module "G").

MODULE DESCRIPTIVE NAMES

A descriptive name is sometimes added to the diagnostic scan tool name to clarify module function. The descriptive name will be followed by the diagnostic scan tool acronym in brackets.

• Example: “Driver Active Motion Seat Module [SCMG]”.
• Driver Active Motion Seat Module is the descriptive name added to clarify the function of the SCMG.
• The SCMG acronym is used by diagnostic scan tool, defined as “Seat Control Module G”.