97 Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD 5.0 issues

[fordb]

I just bought a 97 Explorer EB AWD 5.0 that has a few issues I would like some help on.

1 - The power side view mirrors do not work. I have checked all the fuses and pulled the switch and there is voltage present. Could the switch go bad for both mirrors at once? Or could both motors go bad at once? What else can I check?

2- There is some transmission fluid leaking from the front axle on the passenger side just before the larger CV joint boot. I thought there is 90 weight oil that would be in the axle. Is this something I can fix myself?

3- The front drive shaft is missing I assume it was to improve MPG. How much better is the MPG with it off? Also is there other problems that this would create? Also I plan on towing a boat so where could I get a good replacement shaft?

Thank you for your help.

Bob

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

1) Yep, there is one switch for both mirrors, so if that switch were to go bad, it could certainly effect both mirrors. You get voltage to the switch, did you check to see if you get voltage out of the switch to the mirrors when the mirrors are selected? That would be the next step.

2) So you are getting tranny fluid leaking from the front differential axle seal, and you are sure it is transmission fluid? I agree that I would expect gear oil to be in the front differential. Are you sure it's not engine oil leaking from above somewhere?

3) Are you absolutely sure that the front drive shaft is missing, going from the center viscous coupling unit to the front differential? If so, this is BAD on an AWD. The viscous coupling unit will be destroyed very quickly if one of the shafts is missing due to slipping. I'm surprised that the vehicle moves at all. I would expect that it won't move for very long, and MPG gets very bad if you get no miles for every gallon. I would suggest you verify the shaft is actually missing, and if so, replace it before driving it more, and definitely before towing a boat!

-Rod

[fordb]

Thank you Rod, I appreciate your help. It is definately transmission fluid, I cleaned the area twice and it appears wet at that location after driving for some distance, I will check again to see if some way it is squited onto that area.

The front drive shaft is NOT connected between both points, completely missing. I noticed the truck will roll even when in park so the emergency brake must be applied when parked at all times. We are getting around 12.5 MPG city right now. Where would be the best place to get a shaft?

Thanks again for the help.

Bob

[shorod]

Interesting. Depends on what would make the shaft "best" in your mind. If you want something that you expect a good service life out of and a OEM fit, I suppose the dealership would be the "best" place to order a shaft. If you want OEM fit and reasonable price to service life ratio, then try the salvage yards. You could also potentially pick up a used shaft, then have a drivetrain shop rebuild it for you to increase the service life as well.

If you are getting 12.5 MPG city currently, I don't think not having the shaft installed is helping your fuel economy, unless some part of the front drivetrain is damaged and binding. I'm not sure how your city driving compares with mine, but I have a 2000 Mountaineer AWD with the 5.0L and I get around 13 MPG city. I am running an ethanol blend fuel (10-15% I believe) and accelerate pretty aggressively.

-Rod

[shorod]

It appears that the front differential should indeed use 80W90 axle lubricant, 1.54 liters.

The power mirrors receive power from fuse 1 (7.5A mini fuse) in the instrument panel fuse panel. At the power mirror switch, this will be the orange/light green wire in terminal 1 of the connector. It should have battery power at all times. Ground for the switch is from the black wire at terminal 5 of the connector. Your mirrors work on a reverse polarity system. Your "common" wires are the yellow wires from terminal 6. One yellow wire goes to each mirror. The pink wire in terminal 8 is the up/down control for the right hand (RH) side mirror, and the dark green wire in terminal 3 is the left/right control for the RH mirror.

Similarly, for the left hand (LH) side, the dark blue wire in terminal 7 is the up/down and the red wire in terminal 4 is the left/right control.

-Rod

[fordb]

Thank you Rod, I was out of town for a few days so I just read your help. This is what makes this site so powerful I appreciate the details and research you provided. I did some more looking and the only place the trans fluid can come from is out of the axle. Also I will try to jump the mirrors and see if the motors still operate. Have a great week end and Thanks again.

Bob

[hazmat456]

there is a rubber boot near the door hinges that contain wires these can be broken due to their short length and repeated movement if everything else is good I would check there
power steering fluid can leak out of the steering rack boot and appear to come out of the axle tube (I have this problem)
my 97 mountaineer only gets 13-15mpg all around driving
I would insist on a double cardon front driveshaft for less vibration these vehicles came stock with both a single or double cardon stile shaft, at least have the t-case serviced when this is installed as you my have already done damage and a awd rebuilt case is about $1100