Common Problems with the AU?? - Page 5

JC · 13-10-2005, 12:32 AM

Here's my list of problems, with the fix for each in brackets:
1. No extractors (fitted pacemaker 4499s)
2. Leaking rear muffler (replaced with redback 2.5" cats back system)
3. Ride height in the clouds (fitted eibach "-25" springs in the front - same as King superlows, and got rear leaves reset 60mm. Have since changed rear leaves to King Heavy Duty items, with total drop at the back of about 40mm from standard - ie raised approx 20mm from original lowered height)
4. Black door handles (fitted chrome ones from a Fairmont Ghia)
5. Cloth inserts in doors (fitted self made vinyl inserts)
6. 16 x 7" alloys (fitted 18x8 & 18x9s)
7. Standard grille fitted to car (fitted custom mesh grille, then C2R grille, now XR grille)
8. Standard headlights (painted bezel black, a la T series. Now have XR lights, front end, bonnet and bonnet latch)
9. Air filter dirty (fitted 3" intake pipe, and pod filter in stock air box. Did the Casper/JC air box mod - extra intake from behind headlights)
10. Standard AU2 front rotors (fitted DBA 502S - slotteds)
11. Standard shocks travelled 120,000km (fitted Monroe GT gas Reflex)
12. Dead battery (bought and fitted new battery)
13. Stock CD player/radio (fitted JVC DVD player, 7" in-dash screen and 8" TFT flip down screen)
14. Stock speakers (fitted Pioneer 2 way 5x&s front and 4" 2 way rears)
15. Stock AU vinyl/plastic shifter (fitted leather gear shifter, but soon to fit AU SSS shifter and electronics)
16. Dash bulbs white (made and fitted blue & red LEDS)
17. No driving lights on Forte (fitted driving lights behind the grille, including switchable Red/blue flashing LEDs)
18. Unpainted rocker cover (painted rocker cover black)
19. No fanbelt shroud/cover (Fitted cover (signed by Marcus Ambrose) from my AU1 XR6)
20. MAP sensor, spark plug leads & plugs worn out (replaced all items)
21. Windows untinted/slightly tinted - (Got windows tinted darkest legal - 35%?)

That's about it. Most of them are not really problems with car, just problems with the owner - got that "Mod bug".

wonkydogman2 · 13-10-2005, 11:07 AM

Had my AUIII serviced (40,000km) at FORD the other day (my mistake). About a week later I could hear a rattle/clunk in the back when driving ( top shock mounts ). Trip to Pedders three weeks later for quote to fix. They found a few other things wrong. The main thing was the "rack and pinion" was stuffed with oil leaking out of the boot. My question to ford was, if you guys serviced why not see oil leak??? They could not answer but would look into it. My fault for taking to ford for service I supose. I thought I had good service from then in the past though

irate · 19-10-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Damn I have an AUII dedicated EGAS ute ... and it has done 130,000km without missing a beat.

I replace my spark plugs with Iridium IXs for the gas .. the old NGK Rs were shot ... and cracking ... the Iridiums last longer and give better spark for the LPG models.

I just replace me leads as well ... but i know that spark plugs on LPG engines do not last long at all ... I am only expecting about 30,000km out of mine ... if i get more ... I'll be happy.

How many km's per year do you do???? What type of driving do you do as well???

I had Iridiums in (supposedly from factory coz Jarvis Ford didnt change or look at plugs & leads when I took ute in for last service before new car warranty ran out. perhaps they did look at plugs & thats why they didnt change them coz if they had even pulled one plug out to look at it they would have noticed the corrosion then!) Ive been told that the Iridiums last a long time and are better for LPG, but I have also been told that the NGKs should do coz realistically at each service you should have your plugs & leads replaced.

I just feel as tho Jarvis Ford dicked me around knowing full well there were problems with the car and were waiting for it to be out of warranty, coz with the extended warranty with the car it only covers for valves.

With the driving, I do mainly city driving but with the occassional trip down to the south east (round trip approx 800ks), January drove from Adelaide to Brisbane & back. Do approx 200+ ks around town each week. Mine was previously owned by the City Council so praps they stuffed the old girl up! Other than that, I love my ute affectionately known as 'UTURUS'.

Ausrodder · 20-10-2005, 10:33 PM

Hello, just found this site.
I have a 220 xr8 series 2. Love it to pieces and wouldn't swap it for any of the ba's I have driven . Much more fun.
Has had a LIST of problems though... LOVE the extended factory warranty....Lets see
Radiator split in the driveway overnight.
Engine melted exhaust valves at 48,000kms (Too high a compression ratio I'm told).Rebuilt in Melbourne and sent back to Queensland (Now REALLY good)
Strut mounts
Window switches (5 at last count)
Idle problems (EVERY electrical component under the bonnet changed at least twice... Throttle position switch last.)
Stalling....eventually fixed.
Pinging VERY badly above 4,000rpm... Replaced fuel pressure regulator (unique to the 220's) and fixed the problem!
Other small things I can't think of but...
Lucky it is so much fun to drive!

8pAc · 20-10-2005, 10:41 PM

I have a Series 3 220 xr8 and have had the car for 16.000 klm got it in march. and only problem ive had was the upper windscreen seal let go. Not to dear but if it was a regular occurance it may get annoying. Oh it also seems to eat Cat coverters, aftermarket ones that is. Apart from that it is one hell of a car, extremily fun to drive

25-10-2005, 06:35 PM

I've had my 99 AU (175,000k's) Forte for 3 years and its been great. Few minor probs but nothing too bad.

-Slow fr windows, (lube as previously mentioned)
-boot mounts ripped out due to rust, took one off and use the other as a stand.
-fresh air/recycle button stuck on fresh, (just put it on AC max)
-started missing due to leads, ($90 ish for parts)
-NSR central locking actuator stuffed ($360 odd quote from Ford).

In Casper's post it mentions a MAP sensor problem. How noticeable is it when the sensor goes?

The Monty · 25-10-2005, 06:56 PM

Th fresh air/recycle switch went on my mums forte, 99. She just sticks a match in the top, and it holds there fine.

Engineer · 26-10-2005, 11:18 AM

Hi Guys

My series 2 XR8 with 70K kms had these minoe issues

1) Rear IRS strut mounts. Totally toasted cost $175 from Ford for the pair and $200 to fit and wheel align. .
2) Rear stoplight globe. replaced for $3
3) Front and rear rotors warped (premium brakes). $280 dollars to remachine all rotors and deglaze pads (they were quite new).
4) rear handbrake ineffective: $40 to adjust
5) Master electric window switch failed: $0 . I took it apart and cleaned all the contacts under the buttons and regreased and reinstalled. Works perfect. The electrical contacts blacken easily prohibitng power flow across switch.

Apart from that its perfect!!

Regards
Engineer

XR6BADBOY:P · 08-11-2005, 02:05 PM

Hi,
Got a 2000 AU XR6. I am only getting 275Klms per tank around the city, recently I took it back to Ford and they replaced Fuel Sender.

To me is this really how many true klms I should get around the city, just doing little odd trips here and there?

Is it 4.0 litres X 65 litre take to work out the KLM.

Also does Gas give you much more for the $$$$.

Or is the car got further issues that ford do not want to tell me about?

I also got the injectors cleaned and cleaner added tot he fuel pump lines.

If anyone could give me so true information, or has suffered simlar problem and wishes to give some clear information greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dark Horse · 08-11-2005, 07:01 PM

275 km per tank around the city? Holy hell! It should be around 450-600 km.

SirHenry · 08-11-2005, 07:12 PM

Just a query about Fresh Air/Recirculate switch I think the manual says its supposed to stay on Fresh Air unless on Air Max. (ie the switch will not lock)

Chris

SirHenry · 08-11-2005, 07:42 PM

(edit) incorrect info..

4:

XR6BADBOY:P · 09-11-2005, 11:52 AM

275 km per tank around the city? Holy hell! It should be around 450-600 km.

Who would you take it to, to get it worked out properly other than ford?

It seems to be running like a V8 Supercar in a V6 Body, does that mean it's Chipped if it's going threw that much guzzle?

StevenAu2 · 09-11-2005, 02:17 PM

Mu Au2 4.0L get saround 480km a tank thats just running round.Ok ok with a fair bit of hard acceleration.Have you checked you dont have a fuel leak somewhere? If you change over to lpg it will take years to recoup your outlay and you can bet the stinking govt will eventually raise the price of lpg.

XR6BADBOY:P · 09-11-2005, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenAu2

Mu Au2 4.0L get saround 480km a tank thats just running round.Ok ok with a fair bit of hard acceleration.Have you checked you dont have a fuel leak somewhere? If you change over to lpg it will take years to recoup your outlay and you can bet the stinking govt will eventually raise the price of lpg.

Well can you detect small fuel leaks? Secondly yes it has been gushing out lately, so I am leaving it home next few days till I go to ford Saturday.

To dangerous, it absolutely stinks of fuel.

10-11-2005, 07:54 PM

i have a 2000 ford falcon future, it was working fine till yesterday, i washed the car underneath and since then it dosnt want to start or move the engine at all, all it does is make clicking noise when you try to start it.
whats going on there anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

**Mechan1k** · 10-11-2005, 08:41 PM

you soaked the coil packs maybe????
probably needs drying ... or the solenoid on your starter motor is on it's way out.

Timeshift · 11-11-2005, 03:48 AM

That's something i've always wondered... BP happy washes. The automatic systems as part of the deluxe wash do an "underbody" wash which sprays water jets underneath your car... why doesn't that stop the car from starting up?

**Mechan1k** · 11-11-2005, 04:17 AM

They only spray under your guards really ... I depends "how well" almir22 washed under his car.

I know i need to get under mine with degreaser and a high pressure hose ... but i know I have to avoid certain parts here and there.

Another thing is he could have high pressure sprayed a connector/vacuum hose off somewhere ... causing the car to not start as well. High pressure gernies aren't gentle.

A few things need to be checked .... it's a case of he's got water in somewhere ... or a cable/lead/hose has come off somewhere causing the problem.

**Mechan1k** · 11-11-2005, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeshift

That's something i've always wondered... BP happy washes. The automatic systems as part of the deluxe wash do an "underbody" wash which sprays water jets underneath your car... why doesn't that stop the car from starting up?

actual I remember the morning before the Peter Warren All Ford Day .... a mate went through one of those "brushless" high pressure washes ... and the under body spray somehow shorted out his alternator .... his car had to be towed home.

Timeshift · 11-11-2005, 02:15 PM

And I bet BP simply said to him that they hold no responsibility for use of the car wash and he had to pay for a new alternator...

rayner22 · 14-11-2005, 02:32 PM

Hey guys,
Ive had mt AU for nearly two years now, and ive probly spent 4 times more on mods than repairs. The only thing it keeps doing is warping the discs bout every 12 mths, the usual thing cos of the crappy steel they make em out of. HAd electric windows and the central locking stuff up once but all easy fixed.
Only real problem with it is the great little knock its got in the engine... a common thing they all suffer eventually. Its got to do with the counterweights on the cam etc apparently. Its harmless but does get annoying some days when i t has a "loud day"
I'm lucky in the fact my local ford dealer's mechanics make sure she's all sweet and out on the road makin holdens look bad!!!

potboy90 · 16-11-2005, 10:47 PM

i have a xr8 au11 injeters keep blocking
all ways run premo fuel and tryed diffent servos but still doing it

rayner22 · 17-11-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potboy90

i have a xr8 au11 injeters keep blocking
all ways run premo fuel and tryed diffent servos but still doing it

Ive had that happen sometimes,but only usually a slight ticking. A bottle of injector cleaner every 3 tanks seems to stop it though

04-12-2005, 03:12 AM

Some problems i am having with my 1998 fairmont Ghia

climate control lcd missing some characters (very common problem it seems).
Transmission at low speeds not very smooth, this has me slightly worried as I am not very mechaniclly inclined and it may cost a bit.
Cruise control will not work when the headlights are on. it will read on the dash that the cruise is on but will not set however it will when the the lights are off.
Now i don't know if this is suppose to do this but when i have the car running and and have the head lights on and my foot on the brake then turn the ignition off the car will continue to run but when i take my foot off the brake the car will turn off or if i turn the lights off the car will turn off. in my opion that is strange.
And the handbrake needs ajusting.
But overall I love this car and I have always owned Holdens.
Does anybody else have these strange problems.

Dark Horse · 04-12-2005, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick260682

Transmission at low speeds not very smooth, this has me slightly worried as I am not very mechaniclly inclined and it may cost a bit.

When was the last time you had the transmission fluid changed?

8pAc · 04-12-2005, 09:31 AM

Wow thats a wierd one, the worst problem I have is a crap handbrake that makes the Shssshhh shhssssssh noise when slow.

**Mechan1k** · 04-12-2005, 09:41 AM

auto gearbox unable to handle towing/heavy load too well.
auto box heats up quickly ... needed a seperate oil cooler from factory (not just plumbing into a small section of the radiator).

06-12-2005, 03:22 AM

I've got the car booked in to service the transmission on Friday which hasn't been done since i've owned it. I'm getting a new battery tomorrow, fixing the window tint on Saturday, and the latest on the Cruise control light thing is that it has been bought to my attention that the brake lights are always on when the lights are on, so it looks like a cross wire or something. also fixing the rear window tint on saturday.

SIKSIX · 06-12-2005, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick260682

Some problems i am having with my 1998 fairmont Ghia

Cruise control will not work when the headlights are on. it will read on the dash that the cruise is on but will not set however it will when the the lights are off.
Now i don't know if this is suppose to do this but when i have the car running and and have the head lights on and my foot on the brake then turn the ignition off the car will continue to run but when i take my foot off the brake the car will turn off or if i turn the lights off the car will turn off. in my opion that is strange.

Does anybody else have these strange problems.

HEy mick i had the same problem in my xf falcon (besides the c/contorl) and went to a honest auto elec and he told me to change my tail lamp globes because they some times short to earth and spent $8.95 changing my rear lights (all of them) and fixed the problem..