Common Problems with the AU??

[Mechan1k]

Not "everything" is covered under a 2nd hand dealer warranty.

If it was a New car warranty ... yeah it should be warrantable ... but not to the end of the new car warranty ... it usually is a small period like 3 months.

[goXF]

what if it was like that at the start - when he bought it secondhand? Would they just say that that is how he bought it - with bad shockers.?

[bazz]

speaking of which. My car came with a roadworthy certificate which doesn't expire for another three weeks. Can the road worthy certificate issuer be accountable for any of these faults?

I also found a fault with the LPG tank, when parked on a slope (upwards) the fuel guage will read completely empty and it takes alot of cranking for the engine to start.

[StevenAu2]

Originally Posted by bazz

Problems with my 2002 AU-III Wagon:

1) Stereo is crap, can't even play my burnt CD's when even a 15y.o OEM Subaru unit works. Not sure if it's able to play CD's at all, it keep spitting them out.

2) LPG sender guage goes awol sometimes, before returning to an accurate reading.

3) Slow power windows.

4) The fans are noisey when activated, e.g with heather or aircon on. It makes a clicking sound like the big wheel at the casino.

But when I think of the cheap running cost of LPG, I feel happy again.

Acouple are easy fixed,ditch the stereo for a new one,most of the guys here have had probs with the ford deck spitting out burnt discs,there was a thread a while back.
And Take off your door trims and spray the rubbers where the windows slide with Mr Sheen.

[bazz]

Originally Posted by StevenAu2

Acouple are easy fixed,ditch the stereo for a new one,most of the guys here have had probs with the ford deck spitting out burnt discs,there was a thread a while back.
And Take off your door trims and spray the rubbers where the windows slide with Mr Sheen.

I'll source a new stereo soon, but I don't like double din - why the heck did the OEM headunit have to be double-din!

However, I fixed the slow window problem yesterday, took the trims off, cleaned the rubber seals with some Methylated spirits to rid of all the dirt/dust that built up over the years. Then I sprayed a generous amount of Nulon ezi glide clear silicon on every part which makes contact with the window - that stuff is so slippery is invisible when dry. I recomend it to anyone. Also took the opportunity to spray all the hinges, struts, touching metal pieces around the car. http://www.nulon.com.au/products.php?productId=ezi330

The window goes up and down much easier now. It's like new again :


Cheers,

[StevenAu2]

Cool i might get some of that stuff sounds good.

[bazz]

The Nulon silicon spray is $12 at Supacheap Auto, but their 20% storewide stocktake sale is happening soon, so might as well wait so you can purchase other items like oil, filter ect to make it a worthwhile trip.

On another topic, my Au3 front grill had alot of chips and weather wear. I bought a can of gun metal spraypaint and gave it a few layers - comes out just like new again. Very effective and cheap fix to improve the aesthetic of the car.

Those with a badly weathered front grill will know what I mean.

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by useless

Well the new second hand box went in last week.Apparently if the rear auto seal goes the tailshaft may thrash around causing bad wearing inside the main gearbox housing.

Yes and at 111,000 k's the rear seal on mine decides it's time to pull up stumps. Slight oil leak is noted in garage, and slightly louder than normal driveline noise noted whilst motoring.

New seal, filter and gasket for a service, BTR box is examined to be in pretty good nick and we're away _Oo===oO_.

[SLYXT]

Originally Posted by sbutler

I had a ripper one day! the left window wouldn't work it was stuck down, so I rang FTe service and the guy said, "get this" press the window switch up & down 31 yes 31 times, that will fix it!!! yeah right :tosser1: anyway I did this, and bugger me on the 31st time the bloody thing worked!! : Beats the hell outta me. I dont know if anyone else has had this..

LMFAO, you just had me out there in the dark freezing my balls off trying that lol.. didnt work by the way lol..
the passenger side down switch is working when it wants on mine.
:(

[Mechan1k]

If it's a case of working sometimes and not others .. clean the contacts on the underside of the switch ... this will most likely fix the problem.

And yes the 31 presses apparently resets the window motor/regulator and it will work again ... but that's in some strange cases.

[relish]

Hi everyone please help me,

I have looked over this forum and cant find anyone else with problem as of yet. I have a Ford AU II Forte its done 170,000 kms and still runs (touch wood) awesome, always been serviced etc etc.

However for a while now there has been a terrible boot leak. I have no idea what to do because the only thing people have suguested to me is the spoiler. Funny thing is that i do not have a spoiler. People have also suguested the licence plate, well first of all the water is running from the top of the inside of boot down, not up, but anyways i made those screws as tight as they could go.

Nothing works. Everytime its rains my boot is full of water, but not under the parcel shelf, only where the spare wheel is. Everytime i open the boot the top of the boot is drenched and its starting to rust. Obviously there is no way of testing this.

Has anyone heard or had this problem themselves, its driving me insane and the boot stinks of wet carpet.....everyone knows how bad that smells. Please help.

Luke

[fairmont au]

hi, i have had au2 fairmont ghia wagon, yes wagon for 2 or 3 years we have had a few problems with it:
1. fuel sender
2. 6 stacker in dash repladed through ford 6 month warrenty as soon as it ended it died again.
3. window switches.
4. recall for steering.
5. lcd dash

after all this it has got us from point a to b each time goes to sydney 8 hours to there every 3 months and armidale an hour away each weekend.
we had i lowerd didnt by the springs moved the mount up and a nice noted exhaust I LOVE THIS CAR

1st question does any one know how to make all the dash lights blue?

[jonbays]

I have an AUII fairmont wagon too (not a Ghia though as Ford didn't make one?) and yes all the same problems exactly.
My 6 stacker is still going well now but no I don't trust it and very careful loading CD's into it now.

Originally Posted by fairmont au

hi, i have had au2 fairmont ghia wagon, yes wagon for 2 or 3 years we have had a few problems with it:
1. fuel sender
2. 6 stacker in dash repladed through ford 6 month warrenty as soon as it ended it died again.
3. window switches.
4. recall for steering.
5. lcd dash

after all this it has got us from point a to b each time goes to sydney 8 hours to there every 3 months and armidale an hour away each weekend.
we had i lowerd didnt by the springs moved the mount up and a nice noted exhaust I LOVE THIS CAR

[fairmont au]

Originally Posted by jonbays

I have an AUII fairmont wagon too (not a Ghia though as Ford didn't make one?) and yes all the same problems exactly.
My 6 stacker is still going well now but no I don't trust it and very careful loading CD's into it now.

our fairmont was made a ghia cause the bloke that owned it before us like the ghia more so had the intieror made ghia

[AU2_XR8_220]

Gday Luke,

Unfortunately theres not much you can do about the boot leak (except replace the rubbers/ensure they are in good nic, and park the car so that the nose is facing uphill).

It's a common problem found in both late model commodores and falcons. Water builds up in the boot gutters, overflows the rubber seal, and trickles into the boot. The seal between underside of the boot and rubber trim is poor.

I own a AU2 XR8, and every time it rains, approx 1 inch of water gathers in the spare wheel well. Its a pain in the ****, but something ya gotta live with.

To allow the boot to drain and to prevent a build up of water in the wheel well, you could drill a couple of small holes through the well. I you are going to do this, proceed with caution!! Dont miss and hit the fuel tank!!

cheers,
Bernie :

Originally Posted by relish

Hi everyone please help me,

I have looked over this forum and cant find anyone else with problem as of yet. I have a Ford AU II Forte its done 170,000 kms and still runs (touch wood) awesome, always been serviced etc etc.

However for a while now there has been a terrible boot leak. I have no idea what to do because the only thing people have suguested to me is the spoiler. Funny thing is that i do not have a spoiler. People have also suguested the licence plate, well first of all the water is running from the top of the inside of boot down, not up, but anyways i made those screws as tight as they could go.

Nothing works. Everytime its rains my boot is full of water, but not under the parcel shelf, only where the spare wheel is. Everytime i open the boot the top of the boot is drenched and its starting to rust. Obviously there is no way of testing this.

Has anyone heard or had this problem themselves, its driving me insane and the boot stinks of wet carpet.....everyone knows how bad that smells. Please help.

Luke

[fairmont au]

hi, how did you do the blue led dash lights? thanx

[fairmont au]

Originally Posted by JC

Dash lights dull - fitted blue LEDs.
AU1 brakes ineffective - fitted DBA slotted rotors.
AU2 I6 hesitated badly at WOT - replace leads #3 & #6.

hi how did you fit the blue dash lights in your au falcon?

[twistgrip]

my fuel gauge in my AU2 is all over the shop,goes from full-empty-half full, its all over the place,the prob is the sender? right?

[fairmont au]

Originally Posted by dangt69

i had, and recently got rid of, a 1999 au xls v8 ute wich would have to have been the worst car i have ever owned. power window switches were replaced (warranty) radiator replaced (warranty) a/c compressor replaced (warrantY) computer replaced (warranty) complete engine bay wiring loom replaced (warranty) fuel sender replaced (warranty) complete set of lifters replaced , one at a time!!!!!!!!!!! (warranty) they never could find the source of the knocking noise from the engine. replaced one at a time, i couldn't believe it. the bloody thing was in the ford workshop more often than not. in the end they told me the loud knocking noise was at an exceptable level and was normal. all this with only 30 000 klms on it. i didnt want to find out if the noise was a big end gone or something so i got rid of it. the transmission (auto) would change in and out of overdrive constantly, sitting at the lights in drive with foot on brake, and the speedo would rise up to 60 or 80 or even 100 kays and i wasnt moving. ( no i wasnt smoking the tyres). some times something would even beep at me four or five times. speedo would stop working at times. i wasnt sad to see the *** of that car. enjoy the probs of my 88 ea fairmont much better. probs with a 17 year old car are expected.

if you had the air conditioner on when it would go in and out of overdrive its normal its to keep the transmission cool.

[fullysick1]

Originally Posted by fairmont au

hi how did you fit the blue dash lights in your au falcon?

try this guy on ebay ... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PAIR-12v-T5-W...QQcmdZViewItem

[xr8-200]

AU2 XR8 had problem where the clutch pedal would make a rattling noise. This was caused by a broken clutch return spring. I bought a new one from Ford yesterday which cost me $4 ( they had none in stock so they ordered one in and it only took an hour to get there which I was impressed with).
Another problem I had was faded and corroded B-pillar trims, bought a replacement set a while back for about $75.

[Mrs B]

I had the same thing happen to my ute and was told to push the button various times and hey presto it works

[blackxr1ute]

i have a AU 1 XR8 ute and i have had issues with vibrations. When i bought the ute it had a modified 2 piece tailshaft in it (commodore i believe). I rang the original owner of it told me the original shaft gave much troubles. Anyone else had these dramas

[4DGIRL]

HI 2 ALL I'M ONLY NEW 2 THIS INTERNET STUFF SO BARE WITH ME HERE......
IVE OWNED AN AU3 SR NOW FOR JUST OVER A YEAR NOW BROUGHT IT WITH 65,000kms ON IT AND IVE DONE ABOUT 40,000 IN IT
*IVE MACHINED THE FRONT DISCS 2x
* I HAVE
NOTICED A QUITE KNOCK APEARING IN MOTOR THEN AGAIN I CANT SAY "I BABY HER".
IVE OWNED 3 FALCONS NOW AND ALL SEEM 2 HAVE BAD CAMBER/TOW'IN PROB NOT LONG AFTER GETTING WHEEL ALIGNMENTS DONE....
**HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY AIR CON PROBS?
**OH AND BLOWING HEADLIGHT GLOBES???

DOSE ANYONE ELSE HAVE THESE PROBS.........?

[judicator880]

Hi Guys,

Im just new to the forums and would like to add the problems i have encounted with my 2002 Series III SE Ute.

Ive had that car for bout 9 months now and have had to replace:

- A/C Unit
- Drive Belt
- Washer Jets
- Spark Plugs
- Leads
- Clutch Cylinder

and yesterday i couldn't put it into any gears at all and if i tried would just grind them, got it towed to ford and told me it is the clutch and all the bearings :

I love my car and the AU's but it is just having to many problems :(

[judicator880]

4DGirl

are you using custom headlight globes?

[bigjim]

Ive had my s1 XR6 for about 2 years, got 255,000kms on the clock, best car I've ever had. Aside from routine maint, here are the problems I have had.
1. Brake switch. Big surprise. 10 minute job

2.Clutch cable broke. I thought fair enough, its done 250k, replaced.

3.Pin that goes through clutch fork and holds clutch cable bent. Thought i had broken another clutch cable. Again, easy job to repair.

4.This one's a doozy. Running out of clutch adjustment, thought maybe it was the cable or the clutch pedal. Had a look, everything was fine. Pulled some heat shield off the firewall where the clutch cable goes through, guess what? Massive crack in firewall, about 60mm dia, 3/4 of the way around. Welded it up (luckily was able to do it without removing brake booster) but not happy at all. Firewall's shouldn't crack

5.Running out of clutch adjustment again. Checked the weld on the firewall, holding up fine. Looked at everything else, also fine. Decided to pull the gearbox out, must be pressure plate fingers. Get the dust excluder off gearbox and bugger me the clutch fork is cracked 3/4 of the way through. Pulled out gearbox, welded up the clutch fork. Now it works like a treat (touch wood)

Spose it's lucky that I can do all of this work myself, otherwise I'd be flat broke and hate my car, and I don't want that. I just hope the clutch system holds up.

[goXF]

Originally Posted by goXF

Well he actually still has issues with it......
Before the head gasket went on it he had it back with the dealer to fix a problem with the steering...
It handles really badly - more so at higher speeds but the dealer said they could see nothing wrong with it.......
anyway he definitely knew something was wrong because the AU sedan he had on loan while they were fixing his wagon was so much better...
He took it in to Pedders for their $14 check over....well apart from a few other things they told him the front shockers were done....WELL THAT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM.....now lets just wait and see if they cover that?

The problem has been fixed (but not by the dealer) - the steering rack had totally had it.

[paulw]

I've had to replace four so far. The window goes down - then won't come up. The quick fix is to swap a switch from a window that's up - that'll get you home. (the panel pops out with a screwdriver and the switches can be dropped out of their clips by releasing the plastic latch each side.)

$22 each.... I smell a conspiracy Cleaning hasn't fixed any of mine. There's a tiny light bulb or diode attached to the contacts. I suspect that it's there to provide some electrical resistance when the window reaches its limits. Replacing that might fix the switch. Trouble is I don't know exactly what it is. Maybe some one clevererererer than me knows.

Other problems are noisy suspension bushes (solution lube 'em) A climate control that went Birko but eventually seems to have rest itself. The handbrake cable is obviously made of cheese... it needs adjusting every time I leave the car at Andrews parking... they must employ weight lifters to park the cars.

[towins]

problem: cruise control does work...
dont take it to a specialist yet way will cost you heaps..
fix: under the steering wheel, at the base of the cluch there is a limit switch, that stops the crusie control when you push the cluch in. ajust the scew.
problem: speedometer has spikes..
fix: this is the sensor in the gear box, go to a ford dealer you can by a new on for about $50, it is easy to replace just undo a bolt and pull it out of the gear box... take off the gear and put onto the new sensor...