[tharley]

First post and uneducated when it comes to cars, so I hope someone can help me.

In Dec 2007 I purchased a 1999 Ford Explorer from JdByrider. It has 66,000 miles and is 4 wheel drive. At present the check engined light has came on twice. The first time I was told I needed to replace the intake manifold gasket, which I did. About two weeks later the check engine light came back on. On my first visit with the dealer/shop I told them about a grinding noise in the front of the car when I turn right (not even hard) or when I back up and turn the steering wheel. I was told it is a 4 wheel drive car and that's to be expected. Maybe it is, I'm not for sure, but after reading up, I'm lead to believe it could be a wheel bearing or cv joint perhaps? I am also starting to notice the breaks beginning to squeak when I come to a stop. This is only my first issue with the car.

Next, every so often, sometimes twice a day and sometimes only once a week, I go to start the car and I turn it over and nothing happens. I hold the the ignition in the start position and after a few seconds the car starts or sometimes I have to jiggle the handle that places the car in drive/park. Is my starter going out?

Third, my rear windsheild wiper appears to be a quarter of an inch away from the window, so when I engage it, it never touches the actual window to wipe the rain away. How would I be able to fix this?

I apologize, I hardly know much about cars.