Common Problems with the AU??

[kylcal]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Just had my AU fairmont LCD display repaired by a guy in Melb called Ayhan. He runs a business repairing LCD screens, and specialises in AU fords.

You can contact him via his web site http://www.geocities.com/liquidxtal/

Cost is $50 plus postage (all up worked out at $70 for mine including express post) I mailed it on Tues arvo and got it back before I went to work Fri morning

I can't speak highly of this guy, it;'s not often you get good service at a decent price these days....and fully guaranteed

Mine has only been back in the car for 2 weeks but so far works a treat

Also repairs other LCD devices, and willing to have a look at ones he hasn't seen before (currently looking at Harley Davidson speedo LCD odometer)

No I'm not related to him, just giving good service a plug

Cheers

Buzz

I'll second this. I live in Melbourne and actually travelled over to Ayhan's place to get my LCD fixed. He will take great care in fixing the 'missing segment' problem even when you have an AU1 orange display and Ford have gone to the trouble of super-glueing the whole unit shut.

For $50 plus $12 for two new globes it was certainly much more cost-effective than the $800 Ford want for a replacement or the $150 changeover option that other people are offering.

Highly recommended.

Col

[Sleeperau]

Leaking inlet manifold results in rough idle. Spoke to my mechanic & he said it is very common & they tighten them on Au's every service

Other than that the slow power front windows which silcone spray fixes. Have had the AU2 for 13,000 kms now & at 92,000km & 800km per week will soon see how it stands up. So far so good : : :

[billet]

My Little sisters AU fan has dropped its out put down, it will also not switch between fresh and recircle, she thinks it may have sucked a bag up off the floor. I have seen this on a mates EA, but the AU does not seem to have the open plenum facing the floor like the EA-EL, where you could just stick your hand up and retrieve the bag, can anyone help ??

Hi My name is Blackbird ,

Common Problem in AU Series climate control unit LCD
***edited***

[russky]

Originally Posted by 012

Common problem. Climate control display unit with missing segments on the numbers being displayed. All AU Fairmont's, Fairmont Ghia's, Fairlane's, LTD's, TE50's (series I and II), TS50's and TL50's are effected. Don't know exactly what causes this, but have heard it's due to heat breaking down the contact points on the PCB at the back of the unit. Sorry folks, I only know of the problem, and have no solution, or idea on how/cost to fix it.

I bought a rebuilt unit (with lifetime warranty) for my TS50 and it's in 100% working order. Noticed some melted plastic type material on the back where the "strip"(?) of wire that comes off the LCD screen, meets the PCB on the back.

I second that problem. And riding in heaps of taxis, they all have the same problem. It costs heaps to fix it. I think its around 400 dollar mark, maybe a bit more.

[Lil Monty]

Missing AU Fairmont/ Ghia Climate control digital segments? It's an easy fix!!!

1.0 Tools Required;
1.1 Phillips head and flat blade screw drivers
1.2 Cloths iron
1.3 Baking paper

2.0 Remove climate control unit from dash;
2.1 Removing clock surround, allowing access to retaining screw, remove screw,
2.2 Pull unit forward and to the left, unplugging 1 air sensor and 2 electrical plugs.
2.3 Unit should now slide right out

3.0 Dis-assemble control unit;
3.1 Depress and pull plastic retaining legs where appropriate
3.2 Slide unit out rear of casing.

4.0 Re-attach control ribbon
4.1 Pre-heat iron to sub steam temperature
4.2 Clean/ trim ribbon and contacts if required (do not use solvent as will destroy ribbon/ adherence)
4.3 Re-align ribbon with circuit contacts
4.4 Place baking paper on top or ribbon to stop ribbon melting onto iron
4.5 With moderate pressure, press iron onto ribbon and contacts
4.6 Check contacts/ test in car before refitting into casing.

5.0 Re-assemble in reverse order

[mulletmun]

Originally Posted by Lil Monty

Missing AU Fairmont/ Ghia Climate control digital segments? It's an easy fix!!!

1.0 Tools Required;
1.1 Phillips head and flat blade screw drivers
1.2 Cloths iron
1.3 Baking paper

2.0 Remove climate control unit from dash;
2.1 Removing clock surround, allowing access to retaining screw, remove screw,
2.2 Pull unit forward and to the left, unplugging 1 air sensor and 2 electrical plugs.
2.3 Unit should now slide right out

3.0 Dis-assemble control unit;
3.1 Depress and pull plastic retaining legs where appropriate
3.2 Slide unit out rear of casing.

4.0 Re-attach control ribbon
4.1 Pre-heat iron to sub steam temperature
4.2 Clean/ trim ribbon and contacts if required (do not use solvent as will destroy ribbon/ adherence)
4.3 Re-align ribbon with circuit contacts
4.4 Place baking paper on top or ribbon to stop ribbon melting onto iron
4.5 With moderate pressure, press iron onto ribbon and contacts
4.6 Check contacts/ test in car before refitting into casing.

5.0 Re-assemble in reverse order

gday all, had a go at this today took all of about 15 mins, i didnt even do the ironing bit, just took it all apart, and cleaned the inside of the glass etc, fired it up and it has dots, etc that i didnt know excisted, sweet, cheers lil monty.

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by mulletmun

gday all, had a go at this today took all of about 15 mins, i didnt even do the ironing bit, just took it all apart, and cleaned the inside of the glass etc, fired it up and it has dots, etc that i didnt know excisted, sweet, cheers lil monty.

I also did this Yesterday. What a ripper of an idea. Did all as described and my unit is now like brand new!! THANKS LIL MONTY!

[FRDGAL]

Brake switch (today)
Front power window button
Bad idle problem (fixed)
Rear window (stuffed - can't use it)
Leaking washer bottle
Fuel pump (changed) and just tooooo many other small things. Not bad for a car I've only had for just under 5 months and I suspect there's more to come!!

[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..

[FRDGAL]

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..

You have noooooo idea how curious I am now. Do I risk it? Hrmmmm. Coz that's the problem with mine. Powers down ok but won't go back up. Dammm what to do

Oh yeah and the Volume Up button on my steering wheel works when "it" wants to and not when I want it to.

[sbutler]

Originally Posted by AU_Fairmont -S-

You have noooooo idea how curious I am now. Do I risk it? Hrmmmm. Coz that's the problem with mine. Powers down ok but won't go back up. Dammm what to do

Oh yeah and the Volume Up button on my steering wheel works when "it" wants to and not when I want it to.

Give it a go !! It fixed mine, remember 31 times. :

The volume control? that will be the rings in the steering column, you have to take the steering wheel off, clean & lube the rings, that should fix it......

[CJ the Mack]

Originally Posted by sbutler

Give it a go !! It fixed mine, remember 31 times. :

The volume control? that will be the rings in the steering column, you have to take the steering wheel off, clean & lube the rings, that should fix it......

could be an error in the programming of some sought my knowlege of cars is minimal but being an industrial electrican dealing with plant and machine programing you would be surprised what crazy series of button pushes can fix

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by sbutler

Give it a go !! It fixed mine, remember 31 times. :

The volume control? that will be the rings in the steering column, you have to take the steering wheel off, clean & lube the rings, that should fix it......

sorry to tell u this but the au does not have sliprings they use a clock spring and they don't have the same issues as the sliprings it's the button itself

[Dinoquad]

Well. I fixed it!
I mean, joining the dots afterwards is so much easier isn't it?
You would think that a simple blown top radiator could be just that hey?
Patch up and correct* fluid top up, on the side of the road, 10 kilometre easy run into a nearby town, pick up new hose, and coolant, fit it and everything would be good, wouldn't it?
* trickle the water in with the motor running. Yes, I have seen some destroyed motors before….
When it got hot, it developed a miss, but the miss was down low and intermittent, and I still had another 700 km before I got home, so I put up with it, and the devastating fuel consumption.
No oil in the radiator, no water in the sump, coolant wasn't getting lost, just #3 cylinder not firing and the occasional random miss from #4 & #5 cylinder, so, it could be worse.....

And the miss became angry by the time we got home. It would shake the doors at idle sometimes, but still overtake with ease. When I got back, I decided to replace the plug leads because they were old and that would be the obvious thing to do. $62 later,,,,,
Still missing. Same cylinders……Running better though.
Do a compression check. All good, real good in fact. Get a set of codes out of the computer. $14 is a bargain from Supacheap. Clear the cache and get the current issues. Coil pack. $72 Replace it. Rotten job it is too.
Still missing. Same cylinders….. Although it is running even better.
Hit the forums. Hmm?
Re-check the BIG book….
Ring a friend……
Talk to the dealer……..
Talk to another one……
This could confuse a genius, let alone a guy who has had as many head knocks as me!
And the guestimates is more than what the old ute is worth…..
They are obsessed with electronics and sensors and I am a bit challenged that way.
Stop and think!
This Ute ran well in winter, last summer it played up a little, the winter before it was good. The summer before I got it and gave it some TLC, but ran out of time and money concurrently.
A service fixed the roughness each time, but it wasn't as smooth as in the cooler months.
Heat related maybe? Possibly….
It has always been a bit sluggish and shy of torque quite low in the rev range, but rocketed in the mid and higher rev range when needed. Consumption around town wasn't impressive and on the highway it was reasonable but not exceptional. Others did better.
And sometimes it would idle would be a bit high, and sometimes the air con wouldn't blow where needed……
Maybe a intermittent vacumn leak would explain all that….
So I get a pot of water, start her up and start pouring water over vacumn hoses.
Nothing under the bonnet anyway.
And the ones behind the dash are a no go zone unless I am desperate.
So I start @ the inlet manifold gasket.
And there you go! Leaking at #3, 4 and 5!
New intake manifold gasket. $22. About 2 hours to fit. Made the coil pack look easy!
I have a diploma in being poor, and am working on my masters in poverty, but for less than two tanks of fuel, ($172 in total) the old girl is crisp, responsive and leaps at a wriggle of the big toe on the throttle.
But it is fixed!

[Laminge]

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..

Yes

several times, need to get some silicon spray lube, take trim off and lube up the window essembly

Mind you, DO NOT bash switch 31 times, just gentile pushes!!!!

[Bucknaked]

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..

Are you serious? What happens if you lose count. Is there a 31 button reset sequence?

[GASXR6]

Ok anyone heard of this one? I have a au11 xr8 ute 5 speed manual standard. When I accelerate in first gear and than depress the clutch I hear a beep, then the same into third, sometimes when slowing down and braking. It does it often and every time I drive the car. Just a short beep.

[GASXR6]

Originally Posted by GASXR6

Ok anyone heard of this one? I have a au11 xr8 ute 5 speed manual standard. When I accelerate in first gear and than depress the clutch I hear a beep, then the same into third, sometimes when slowing down and braking. It does it often and every time I drive the car. Just a short beep.

In addition to the beep, my airbag warning light has just come on. Wondering if the 2 are somehow related to each other? The beep doesn't coincide with the light. When I first start the car the light flashes and then after a while stays on. Any help appreciated.

[Firefox7]

AU TE-50 T3....

The only probs with mine, rear passenger wheel bearing desintigrated, rear shock mounts replaced due to factory fault. In all honesty, best car I have ever owned by fu*ing a long shot, and is actually cheaper to run than my previous Ford V8's..EL & EF, fuel, reliabilty & performance wise.



Cheers.

[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 :(

[Fairlane63]

Hi guys,
i remember seeing something about an easy fix for a rear shock rattle, but i can't find it again!
can somebody send me a link or something, cheers

[toadin]

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..

I had the same prob. Thanks to u it is now fixed. Incredible, 31 is the lucky number!! I was told it was the regulator. $331 for a new one. If 31 doesn't work go a little longer.

[ayetobee]

Originally Posted by toadin

I had the same prob. Thanks to u it is now fixed. Incredible, 31 is the lucky number!! I was told it was the regulator. $331 for a new one. If 31 doesn't work go a little longer.

I had to put the window all the way down and press and hold the button for a little bit (2-3 seconds) and on 31 ... bingo! thankyou very much, though was funny to watch wifeys hair go all over the shop and see her have a fit, small things hey. thanks heaps.

[grim01@westnet.]

Hi All,

Had my 2000 Monty Ghia nearly 2 years..... never mised a beat. Fixed the window control thing couple of times - 10 min job. 155 km on clock, will keep till it dies if I don't first.
Now got severe brake wobble at speed over 90kmh -will replace rotors this weekend.
Worst mistake I made was getting serviced by a Ford dealer ($800), for bugger all. Was like a jump from XF life so thought do the right thing. Now found can do what they done for around $ 100 .

Love my car heaps - Ghia options still get admired for a car thats nearly 7 years old

Hint for you all - Altronics and Dick Smith sell an Aerosol called contact cleaner (CRC) which comes with a thin nozzle that fits in the spray head -
fixes the window controllers a treat without dismantling. (Great on other household stuff too - panasonic wanted $ 220 for new control panel on wasing machine - CRC fixed 8 months ago !!)

Does $ 70 sound about normal for new rotors ??

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by grim01@westnet.

Hint for you all - Altronics and Dick Smith sell an Aerosol called contact cleaner (CRC) which comes with a thin nozzle that fits in the spray head -
fixes the window controllers a treat without dismantling.

I bought this as well to clean out LPG loom contacts under the back of the ute ... works like a charm ... not the cheapest ... but it does work. I have seen the same can in Autobarn as well now ... but when i first got it ... it was from Dickie's

[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.
:(

[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

[rosebush]

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 :1: 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..

Looks like this is a real problem then in the falcons...first time I just cleaned the contacts and it worked well ever since, now the other window does it too and I just give it a punch or open the door and shut it and it works again. Another thing is use the other button on the other side to get it working again...but punching it is hard especially when your on the drivers side and its the passangers side that wont close and its starting to down....

[falcon75]

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 :******1: 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..

Yer we had the same bloody problem with the same solution