96 explorer hatch problem + a few other things

[me-and-em-too]

Hi all: new to the forum and looking forward to maybe getting some help.

1. Last summer, while loading up a desk and chair from Staples, my hatch almost fell on the dude's head. One side totally broke off. The hydraulics are fine -- the dang thing just sheared right off where it was welded. There's not a spot of rust anywhere on the truck at all but BOTH of the brackets are rusted for the hydraulic arms. Unbelievable. Called Ford but they said it's not on "recall" yet because there haven't been enough complaints (or did she mean injuries? deaths?) Anyway, body shop says it'll be $368 to reweld new brackets on (that includes the new brackets & labor.) Anybody else had this problem??????

2. Rear high-brake light out. I was told I have to replace the whole harness because it's an LED rather than bulbs. When you lift up the rubber seal, it says to have it done by a professional -- not to attempt replacement yourself. I can get a new harness from some place out in Utah for like $81. Any tips on doing this myself without getting fried or something?

3. Auto locks - sound like stepping on big dead frog when you lock the car. You know that sound right??? They all lock fine except for the rear hatch one. You unlock it, it stays unlocked, you lock it, you have to crawl back there (I send my child.) Any ideas since all but that one work?

4. As a result of said hatch near-disaster above, the rear wiper no longer works and the "door ajar" light stays on. Boyfriend says that the "door ajar" light is on because since the hydraulic arm is missing, that the weight of the hatch is out of synch. Make sense? If I have to put anything in there, somebody has to hold it open then you actually have to lift it and slam it in order for it to shut.

Any advice would be extremely appreciated!

Dawn in FL

[ixoxoli]

hey, i had door ajar problem too, i read in the forum to just spray wd-40 and guess what it worked for me, i dont know about your case, but fords have been known to have problems with latches, i just replaced drivers door latch for 30 bucks from ford dealership

[rginter]

I had a problem with the third brake light not working on my 96 Explorer. The LED was fine so I replaced the ballast, about $80. It works fine now.