• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Terrible weekend with catastrophic ST failure

C

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
#21
Messages
1,392
Reactions
1,032
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#21
FORZDA3 said:
“Amp wiring”? There’s your problem. When the dealer finally discovers the parasitic draw on the battery they will charge you for fixing it, as in no warranty for aftermarket installations.
Click to expand...
Related. I was getting low battery voltage after installing my amps. I was using the Nav-Tv unit for remote turn on. Turns out the can bus is active a lot of the time your car is off so my amps we running some amount of time after turned off. Would almost drain the battery. Solution was to run a separate remote turn on from an output in the fuse box that goes on and off with starting. Problem solved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#22
Messages
4,243
Reactions
4,954
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#22
Cruising68 said:
Related. I was getting low battery voltage after installing my amps. I was using the Nav-Tv unit for remote turn on. Turns out the can bus is active a lot of the time your car is off so my amps we running some amount of time after turned off. Would almost drain the battery. Solution was to run a separate remote turn on from an output in the fuse box that goes on and off with starting. Problem solved.
Click to expand...
I did the same thing. Switched 12v through a relay to turn on all 3 amps and DSP instead of using the Nav TV output.
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #23
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #23
I have my amp turn on wired into an unused circuit under the dash that is only powered while the ST is running. As soon as I hit the stop button, the amp turns off. I'm not using a Nav-TV yet.
 

A

abranen

New Member
#24
Messages
2
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
#24
Chaseg08 said:
Took my family to Lake McConaughy in Nebraska this weekend which is 4 hours from my home in Golden and happened to be 104 degrees. Made it just to the entrance of the Lake and every damn light came on. Hill Decent Control, ABS, Service Changing system, Hill start control, service engine, power steering went out. In a very short period of time, the screen shut down "to save power", the A/C turned off, and eventually the car started having idle issues and I turned it off. Friendly passerby stopped and gave me a jump. The ST started but all the faults were still present and it did not stay running once disconnected. Had it towed to Wolf Auto Ford in Ogallala and was left stranded. The dealership was closed and the nearest rental car company was over 50 miles away. I think the alternator may have quit. I don't know what else could have caused so many electrical issues.

Luckily we had a couple of friends camping there too and they came and picked us up. My mother-in-law brought my truck to us on Sunday and we packed up and went home. Called the dealership this morning and they can't even look at it until Friday. Pretty frustrating.
Click to expand...
Same exact thing happened to my explorer 4 days ago! Dealership replaced battery, sent me home, only for my car to die again 10 miles later. They towed it back for me, then called today to let me know they had to replace the alternator as well. They will run a few more tests then hopefully I get it back - running well - in time for the weekend. Yes, totally frustrating and unacceptable
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #25
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #25
abranen said:
Same exact thing happened to my explorer 4 days ago! Dealership replaced battery, sent me home, only for my car to die again 10 miles later. They towed it back for me, then called today to let me know they had to replace the alternator as well. They will run a few more tests then hopefully I get it back - running well - in time for the weekend. Yes, totally frustrating and unacceptable
Click to expand...
Sorry man. I know your frustration. Still don't have any answers on mine. It's been two weeks now.
 

A

abranen

New Member
#26
Messages
2
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
#26
Chaseg08 said:
Sorry man. I know your frustration. Still don't have any answers on mine. It's been two weeks now.
Click to expand...
Two weeks..wow. And I will be without my explorer for a few more days
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #27
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #27
Day 16: Called the dealership for an update today. They are waiting on a technical specialist to get back to them about an issue with the backup camera and one of the reverse sensors. They can't figure out what is wrong. This is all strange because none of that was an issue before. He couldn't be more specific because he was out the end of last week and the tech is out today. He was going off of the tech's notes. Small town dealership problems I guess. I asked what was done to correct all the faults/waring lights and he said it was the battery connection, which also doesn't make a whole lot of sense because I checked all of that and they double checked it all last Tuesday and said all the faults/warnings came back. That's all I could get out of him. The communication from Ford Consumer Affairs and dealership has been abysmal. I'm supposed to get a call tomorrow from Consumer Affairs. I wouldn't bet on it. I'll continue to exercise patience.
 

DaveG ST

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#28
Messages
326
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#28
Seems like many of us have been there with the ST. Mine was a bad throttle body that left my wife stranded. Ford Customer Service did take care of us for the most part. They called the dealer and made sure they provided us with a loaner. Same dealer also replaced the driver's side catalytic converter that should be replaced on all 2020's. I had been waiting for over a month for another dealer to get a converter. Anyways, you should have the email address of the Customer Service Rep and have them contact the dealer for you.
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #29
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #29
Day 21: I asked for more specifics. The Tech is having a right front side sensor fault, invalid data from ABS fault, and lost communication with IPC issues. He said they can't recalibrate the camera system. They are talking with ford technical specialists about it. No estimate time to completion.
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #30
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #30
Not having much luck with Ford Consumer Affairs either. I'm still without a rental or loaner. My case manager said I can use a rental car for a max of $45 a day. The cheapest I can find is through Thrifty...after taxes and fees a Chevy Spark is 71 bucks a day. What world are we living in?! Ha ha. I've asked if she can locate a loaner at a local dealership and I'm waiting for a response.
 

Last edited:
DaveG ST

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#31
Messages
326
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#31
Chaseg08 said:
Not having much luck with Ford Consumer Affairs either. I'm still without a rental or loaner. My case manager said I can use a rental car for a max of $45 a day. The cheapest I can find is through Thrifty...after taxes and fees a Chevy Spark is 71 bucks a day. What world are we living in?! Ha ha. I've asked is she can locate a loaner at a local dealership and I'm waiting for a response.
Click to expand...
They will give you a free extended warranty if you ask for it as a piece of mind due to issues with the vehicle. I did ask for the 150K mile ESP, but only could get the 75K mile ESP. I told the Customer Service Rep that they must not have much faith in their vehicle if they would only offer the 75K mile plan.
 

DaveG ST

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#32
Messages
326
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#32
DaveG ST said:
They will give you a free extended warranty if you ask for it as a peace of mind due to issues with the vehicle. I did ask for the 150K mile ESP, but only could get the 75K mile ESP. I told the Customer Service Rep that they must not have much faith in their vehicle if they would only offer the 75K mile plan.
Click to expand...
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #33
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #33
Day 31 and still nothing. My consumer affairs case manager called on Friday and said they have no update other than the tech is still working with the ford technical specialist. I can tell from the Ford app they started my ST and let it run for a while based off the fuel level but mileage hasn't changed. Hoping to hear some good news this week.
 

B

Big Turk

Member
#34
Messages
399
Reactions
233
Points
37
Location
Ontario, Canada
#34
Chaseg08 said:
Day 31 and still nothing. My consumer affairs case manager called on Friday and said they have no update other than the tech is still working with the ford technical specialist. I can tell from the Ford app they started my ST and let it run for a while based off the fuel level but mileage hasn't changed. Hoping to hear some good news this week.
Click to expand...
Okay, I will admit when I was wrong. The bad weekend has turned into a bad month. Sorry for your troubles.
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #35
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #35
Big Turk said:
Okay, I will admit when I was wrong. The bad weekend has turned into a bad month. Sorry for your troubles.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm at the 48th stage of grief, or whatever. I'm just being patient and trying not to be a hassle to the service writer and one tech at the dealership. I limit my calls to twice a week just for updates and my fingers are crossed that they figure it out soon.
 

B

bmidd

Member
#36
Messages
89
Reactions
59
Points
17
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#36
Chaseg08 said:
Thanks. I'm at the 48th stage of grief, or whatever. I'm just being patient and trying not to be a hassle to the service writer and one tech at the dealership. I limit my calls to twice a week just for updates and my fingers are crossed that they figure it out soon.
Click to expand...
Looks like it can be legitimately labeled as catastrophic now, that should really upset the nitpickers. If it happened to them, it would be catastrophic. Hopefully they'll get it figured out.
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #37
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #37
I flew up to North Platte Nebraska Thursday morning and picked her up. Service writer called me on Wednesday and said it was ready. When I asked what they did to fix it finally, he said they had to replace a front right parking sensor and a battery cable was loose. They said that was the problem at first and then said it wasn't. I told them I wasn't satisfied with that answer but I'd gladly come pick it up and drive it home. I fully expect the issue to resurface. So I drove about 8 hundred miles over the last 5 days and everything is fine so far. Trying to get reimbursed for my flight but communication has been subpar, as expected and experienced over the last month.
 

OP
Chaseg08

Chaseg08

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Thread Starter #38
Messages
89
Reactions
57
Points
17
Location
Golden, CO, USA
Thread Starter #38
Well, same issue(s) is back. Dash lit up, no power steering. It didn't leave me stranded this time as I was able to make it home but of course all the Ford dealerships around don't have any loaners vehicles and their service schedules are booked weeks or months out.
 

DaveG ST

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#40
Messages
326
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#40
Chaseg08 said:
Well, same issue(s) is back. Dash lit up, no power steering. It didn't leave me stranded this time as I was able to make it home but of course all the Ford dealerships around don't have any loaners vehicles and their service schedules are booked weeks or months out.
Click to expand...
They are required to find you a loaner while under warranty, per Ford Customer Service. Ford will reimburse the dealer if they have to get a rental. Easier said then done, of course. Worse case is to get a rental if you need one and Ford will reimburse you, at least partially.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top