Got tips for my Ford problems?
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA, USA
Got tips for my Ford problems?
Hey fellow Ford Enthusiasts...
I have recently purchased a pre-owned 1997 Ford F-150 (4x2, 4.2 Liter/V-6 engine) and have been having some problems with it.
Problem one: "Door Ajar" light goes Off and On, and sometimes remain on during driving even when all 3 doors are shut. One time, the alarm went off at work because of this! Is it the 3rd door? What the hell?
Problem two: Got tips on how to fix my leaking back sliding window from the rain?
Problem three: Got any tips on how to make my V-6 engine faster or how to get the most out of it? If so, what products, make and models, and yes...Money is NO object!
AGAIN IF ANYONE HAS ANY SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN SHOOTING MY TRUCK, FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT MY ADDRESS. (eddiemanjarrez@hotmail.com) I would greatly appreciate it...thanx!!!
I have recently purchased a pre-owned 1997 Ford F-150 (4x2, 4.2 Liter/V-6 engine) and have been having some problems with it.
Problem one: "Door Ajar" light goes Off and On, and sometimes remain on during driving even when all 3 doors are shut. One time, the alarm went off at work because of this! Is it the 3rd door? What the hell?
Problem two: Got tips on how to fix my leaking back sliding window from the rain?
Problem three: Got any tips on how to make my V-6 engine faster or how to get the most out of it? If so, what products, make and models, and yes...Money is NO object!
AGAIN IF ANYONE HAS ANY SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN SHOOTING MY TRUCK, FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT MY ADDRESS. (eddiemanjarrez@hotmail.com) I would greatly appreciate it...thanx!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Georgia
Problem one: Spray some WD-40 (or equiv) into the opening where the switch is to remove the crud that is holding the circuit open.
Problem two: The early sliding rear windows (97-99) are known to leak. The best solution is to have it replaced. In most cases, the plastic around the sliding portion of the window cracks..and thus it leaks. The new design addresses this problem. Your dealer can help with this.
Problem three: Some solutions would be a Superchip, K&N filter (or better yet a FIPK), possibly different rear gears.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000
Problem two: The early sliding rear windows (97-99) are known to leak. The best solution is to have it replaced. In most cases, the plastic around the sliding portion of the window cracks..and thus it leaks. The new design addresses this problem. Your dealer can help with this.
Problem three: Some solutions would be a Superchip, K&N filter (or better yet a FIPK), possibly different rear gears.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Iowa, '00 F-150 Harley-Davidson
No need to trade up! The 1997 is a great truck. As Dustoff said the rear window had a couple of problems and can be fixed without too much expense. And, there are some great mods (Dustoff again in the prior message) that can be done with it.
You've got a super truck and will have a lot of fun with it! Don't shoot it! Congrats!
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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
'99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH
You've got a super truck and will have a lot of fun with it! Don't shoot it! Congrats!
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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
'99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi liquid11,
Welcome to F-150 Online!
I agree with the others, you've got a great F-150, so please don't shoot your truck!
I know that door ajar thing can be aggravating, our Mark 8 is doing that too, and after numerous trips to the dealer over the past couple of years, all I ever got was "we can't re-create it, so we don't know what to replace"). Grrr............ Now I know that help or give you a solution, I just thought I'd let you know that someone else has that, too, you're not alone. Most likely it's just a silly sensor. I'm going to get out my manual, figure all the parts in that system, and just replace the likely sensors, and that's what I would suggest for you, too, is to get a good Haynes or other manual for your truck (I think F-150 Online has a deal on those, check over the home page here carefully, as I seem to remember Steve posting that he had a good source) since it's used and most likely out of any warranty.
As for your power problems, those are easy to solve. The 4.2 V-6 has a characteristic of being particularly weak below 2500 rpm, though it has a decent power output of 205 hp stock, the power is there only once you have the rpms up. The Superchip will help a good bit with that, and in fact, here are the top 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods for that vehicle, in order of power gained per dollar spent:
1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip. Maximum rated gains at sea level altitude for the 4.2 are 25 hp & 31 lbs./ft. In round numbers, figure you're going to pick up about 10%-12% more power. This product is available directly from us, and there is a link just below in our signature line that will take you directly to our online ordering system. Each Superchip is programmed according to the exact software revision that came in your vehicle's computer from the factory, so we will need to know your computer code. This is easy to find, simply open the passenger door, and look in the front part of the door frame, near the door hinges, for a sticker with 3 letters and 1 number on it, that is your computer code. If that sticker is missing, just let us know and we can give you directions for finding it on the computer itself. And if your F-150 is an automatic, the Superchip will also clean up the shift characteristics quite a bit. It will also remove the top speed limiter, too.
2.) Reduce restriction in the air intake tract, using an airbox elimination kit. There are several brands available, Airaid and the Air Force One kit, etc. They are available in the F-150 Online store, which you can access just by clicking on the link on the left side of your screen right here that says "Online Store". The airbox elimination kits are genrally worth about 10 hp on the 4.2 V-6 F-150.
3.) Reduce restriction on the exhaust side, using a good aftermarket cat-back exhaust system. There are many brands available, you can find them in the F-150 Online Store too. Figure about 8 hp from the cat-back exhaust.
Doing those 3 changes will get you well on your way to being much happier with the performance of your F-150, and after that, you can decide if you still must have even more performance. Just remember, you can go as fast as you want to spend.........
I hope this informaiotn helps, and if you'd like to go over all the details, etc., please feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to help.
We hope you'll hang out with us here on F-150 Online in your spare time, it's a great place to learn more about these trucks and meet new friends, too.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Welcome to F-150 Online!
I agree with the others, you've got a great F-150, so please don't shoot your truck!
I know that door ajar thing can be aggravating, our Mark 8 is doing that too, and after numerous trips to the dealer over the past couple of years, all I ever got was "we can't re-create it, so we don't know what to replace"). Grrr............ Now I know that help or give you a solution, I just thought I'd let you know that someone else has that, too, you're not alone.
Most likely it's just a silly sensor. I'm going to get out my manual, figure all the parts in that system, and just replace the likely sensors, and that's what I would suggest for you, too, is to get a good Haynes or other manual for your truck (I think F-150 Online has a deal on those, check over the home page here carefully, as I seem to remember Steve posting that he had a good source) since it's used and most likely out of any warranty.As for your power problems, those are easy to solve.
The 4.2 V-6 has a characteristic of being particularly weak below 2500 rpm, though it has a decent power output of 205 hp stock, the power is there only once you have the rpms up. The Superchip will help a good bit with that, and in fact, here are the top 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods for that vehicle, in order of power gained per dollar spent:1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip. Maximum rated gains at sea level altitude for the 4.2 are 25 hp & 31 lbs./ft. In round numbers, figure you're going to pick up about 10%-12% more power. This product is available directly from us, and there is a link just below in our signature line that will take you directly to our online ordering system. Each Superchip is programmed according to the exact software revision that came in your vehicle's computer from the factory, so we will need to know your computer code. This is easy to find, simply open the passenger door, and look in the front part of the door frame, near the door hinges, for a sticker with 3 letters and 1 number on it, that is your computer code. If that sticker is missing, just let us know and we can give you directions for finding it on the computer itself. And if your F-150 is an automatic, the Superchip will also clean up the shift characteristics quite a bit. It will also remove the top speed limiter, too.
2.) Reduce restriction in the air intake tract, using an airbox elimination kit. There are several brands available, Airaid and the Air Force One kit, etc. They are available in the F-150 Online store, which you can access just by clicking on the link on the left side of your screen right here that says "Online Store". The airbox elimination kits are genrally worth about 10 hp on the 4.2 V-6 F-150.
3.) Reduce restriction on the exhaust side, using a good aftermarket cat-back exhaust system. There are many brands available, you can find them in the F-150 Online Store too. Figure about 8 hp from the cat-back exhaust.
Doing those 3 changes will get you well on your way to being much happier with the performance of your F-150, and after that, you can decide if you still must have even more performance. Just remember, you can go as fast as you want to spend.........
I hope this informaiotn helps, and if you'd like to go over all the details, etc., please feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to help.
We hope you'll hang out with us here on F-150 Online in your spare time, it's a great place to learn more about these trucks and meet new friends, too.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Pa
liquid
If you haven't already, look in the electrical forum for your door-ajar prob. The guys on here can tell you how to make them run.
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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF
If you haven't already, look in the electrical forum for your door-ajar prob. The guys on here can tell you how to make them run.
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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA, USA
Project Modifications for my truck
Thanx to all for their words of wisdom as their advice was helpful. Hopefully, their suggestions will continue to be helplful in the future. Right now, I am wondering what will be next to do with my F150. I recently have put a new SONY head unit complete with 2 thundering 12"woofers, and amps located snug underneath my seat and have LIMO tinted the windows for added privacy. SO far...so good...
My only question is...what now? I have been looking for Billet grill inserts for the front grill, but was wondering if it is easier/cheaper just to buy the insert or buy a new grill front with an existing grill insert? If so, which one or which brand would be better and at what cost? How about them Crystal Clear headlights...they look really trick, but how well do those perform?
I am also interested in tips that would get me the most fuel-efficient but the most powerful performance for my V-6 4.2L engine. I will soon add a K&N filter whenever I get solid advice as to what type of engine modifications and exhaust are BEST recommended.
Another question would also be, what is better, a SuperCharger or a SuperChip? If one is better than the other, why? My final question for now would be what would be better for handling/suspension...Lowering my truck or adding the now popular Airbag Suspension?
Again...Thanx for your time in regards to my project, I would gladly accept all suggestions as soon as possible as I am in need of help, Thanx...
My only question is...what now? I have been looking for Billet grill inserts for the front grill, but was wondering if it is easier/cheaper just to buy the insert or buy a new grill front with an existing grill insert? If so, which one or which brand would be better and at what cost? How about them Crystal Clear headlights...they look really trick, but how well do those perform?
I am also interested in tips that would get me the most fuel-efficient but the most powerful performance for my V-6 4.2L engine. I will soon add a K&N filter whenever I get solid advice as to what type of engine modifications and exhaust are BEST recommended.
Another question would also be, what is better, a SuperCharger or a SuperChip? If one is better than the other, why? My final question for now would be what would be better for handling/suspension...Lowering my truck or adding the now popular Airbag Suspension?
Again...Thanx for your time in regards to my project, I would gladly accept all suggestions as soon as possible as I am in need of help, Thanx...
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ventura, Ca
The sensor just doesn't seem to get pushed in all of the way, even when the door's completely shut, it always seems to go off if you back down a curb, i don't know why but it works every time especially the front right wheel goodluck
ABK Scottyj
ABK Scottyj
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Those door ajar sensors are a well known problem on many FoMoCo vehicles, and all it takes is just like Dustoff said, use some WD-40 or something similar (I used Mobil 1 synthetic spray lubricant on my Lincoln Mark 8 to cure it) and spray inside the door latch area well, and that will usually take care of it for another year or two, when it will need it again. 
The contacts just get dirty, and spraying some lubricant in there will usually take care of it immediately.
I haven't heard the trick of backing down a curb before, perhaps the body flexing causes the contacts to rub against each other just enough to knock some of the crud off of the contacts, I don't know. Interesting technique!
Good luck!
The contacts just get dirty, and spraying some lubricant in there will usually take care of it immediately.
I haven't heard the trick of backing down a curb before, perhaps the body flexing causes the contacts to rub against each other just enough to knock some of the crud off of the contacts, I don't know. Interesting technique!
Good luck!
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Aug 28, 2001 at 07:43 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
Supercharger
Liquid11,
I can't believe no one has mentioned this to you. If money is truely no object (wish I had that problem), visit the Superchargers & Turbos forum. A supercharger will add a lot of kick to your truck. Talk to Crash if you want all the details. He is very helpful. Take care and definately don't shoot your truck.
-SB
I can't believe no one has mentioned this to you. If money is truely no object (wish I had that problem), visit the Superchargers & Turbos forum. A supercharger will add a lot of kick to your truck. Talk to Crash if you want all the details. He is very helpful. Take care and definately don't shoot your truck.
-SB