Technical questions

[marauder307]

Well, I've had my new MM for a week, got about 850 miles on it (drove it from Daytona Beach, FL to Montgomery, AL two days after I got it), and I got a few questions for those of you with some technical-type questions:

1: Is the gas gauge supposed to indicate all the way full? When topped off (pump clicks off twice), my gauge still reads a needle-width shy of the full line...Guage still seems to work okay, so I'm reluctant to put the car in the shop, but could use some feedback here.:confused:

2: Does anyone else have "fogging" in their foggin' foglights? One foggin' use over the weekend, and the foggin' Cibies have fog buildup in the lenses. The foggin' foglights are driving me foggin' crazy! Muhahahaha! All joking aside, what's up with the condensation buildup?

3: Been reading some posts on mercurymarauder.org talking about front end alignment problems...some reports of pulling to the right. Now, I have to hold the wheel slightly left to go straight, but the roads between here and Daytona (and, for that matter, the roads here in Montgomery) have got a slight peak in the center and slope off to the sides...not much, mind you, but it's noticeable. I'm trying to decide if it's the car or the roads. How sensitive is the MM's front end to a slope-y
road?

P.S. Roads in question are I-10, Hwy 231, the Atlanta Hwy, and the Eastern Boulevard in Montgomery.

4: When I crank the stereo, it sounds like either the back window or the trunk lid rattle pretty bad...can't tell which for sure. I don't have to turn it up much...anything over 4 or 6 marks on the volume meter, particularly when I've got a heavy bass line like The Crystal Method or Metallica in the CD, and it's shake-rattle-and roll time. Any ideas for fixing this?

Otherwise, this thing's a dream! Traded away two Mustangs (a 2001 V-6
Premium coupe and a '93 LX 5.0 hatchback, my "Saturday Night Special", for it), and can't say as I regret the decision!

[RCSignals]

I think you'll find most of your answers here just through the search feature. there is a lot on the subwoofer rattle

[Scott]

I actually live in Dallas and bought mine in Montgomery. This monster is sensitive to road surface. After driving thru Louisiana on the way back to Dallas I was convinced she was out of alighnment. Checked out fine. You will notice on a good road (not alabama, or especially the eastern bypass,.....(relax,........ I love Alabama ) that she will track true.

There is a ton of info here on the subwoofer rattle/rumble. The first dealer I took it to for service blew me off. The second did not like their fix and ordered a new panel or deck and remounted everything. The difference is amazing.

My only other problem was a leak in the rear end seal that cat littered my brand new garage floor.

My advice.......find yourself a good dealer with a young ambitious service writer.

And yes........at 8000 miles....I am one happy maurader

[Mark McQuaide]

The gas gauge is like that on all of them as far as I know. Never gets to full, and when it gets down to "E" there's still several gallons in it. I just fill up when the light comes on and that gives you a good reserve to get to the next station.

I've seen a lot of posts about condensation in the lights; the dealer should just replace under warranty but it's too bad we have to waste the time on it. Should have been done right in the first place.

My sub rattles too, I haven't gotten around to getting it fixed yet.

Have almost 4000 on mine and lovin' every minute. Good luck with it!

[LincMercLover]

1) Mine goes past the F mark...

2) Dealer can fix your fogging fogs.

3) Maybe check your tire pressure for balance?

4) Little foamy thing along the back dash will fix this. If you don't want to tear your car apart, then let the dealer fix it.

[james_hart6]

The steering wheel was off a tick or two when I took delivery. The dealer fixed it when I changed oil at 1500 miles. My MM tracks straight and true when I can find a straight and true Michigan road. ;) Also check tire pressure if you've not done that.

So far I've no condensation in the lights.

Lots of info on the site about rattle - check the sub-woofer.

Haven't noticed the gauge on full, I just wait 'til the low fuel light kicks on and then fill it.

HTH

Jim

[RoyLPita]

It seems that I am not the only one who would trade in 2 Mustangs for a MM.

[jefferson-mo]

My fuel guage goes over full when filled up but it almost seems the low fuel light comes on too early.......which is a good thing....you never want to run the tank all the way down anyway.......

My car seems to track straight and true but our roads are mostly new and in pretty good shape:banana2:

[prchrman]

Does anyone have a cruise control on indicator? Mine does not. Just wondering.

[jefferson-mo]

No those are saved for cars with no-so-smart owners:rasta:






:lol:

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by marauder307

1: Is the gas gauge supposed to indicate all the way full?
2: Does anyone else have "fogging" in their foggin' foglights?
3: How sensitive is the MM's front end to a slope-y road?


Hello M307: Everyone is correct by saying do the search from the home page. Yes, it takes awhile to sort thru it all, but there is good stuff in there. Personally, I like quick feedback, so here goes........

1) My gas guage NEVER reads full. Not a concern to me.
2) My headlites AND foglites fog up. Dealer will replace headlites. I am embarrassed to ask for foglites too. I have three years to grow some balls....
3)A deeply pitted road (lot of semi truck traffic) damn near yanks the wheel out of my hand. We have big tire footprint. Normal. Try a corvette sometime.

Get used to car and call Dennis about a chip. My god, it wakes the car up.

PS. Yes to all.....I now love my chip. ;)

[WolfeBros]

Originally posted by CRUZTAKER

Get used to car and call Dennis about a chip. My god, it wakes the car up.

PS. Yes to all.....I now love my chip. ;)

Thank goodness......we were worried about ya Cruz !! :D

[jgc61sr2002]

My gas gauge goes to full. Headlights and fog lights haven't fogged up and cruise control indicators are for rice burners. John

[prchrman]

head shot, am I bleeding?

[Reaper948]

Originally posted by Scott
I actually live in Dallas and bought mine in Montgomery. This monster is sensitive to road surface. After driving thru Louisiana on the way back to Dallas I was convinced she was out of alighnment. Checked out fine. You will notice on a good road (not alabama, or especially the eastern bypass,.....(relax,........ I love Alabama ) that she will track true.

There is a ton of info here on the subwoofer rattle/rumble. The first dealer I took it to for service blew me off. The second did not like their fix and ordered a new panel or deck and remounted everything. The difference is amazing.

My only other problem was a leak in the rear end seal that cat littered my brand new garage floor.

My advice.......find yourself a good dealer with a young ambitious service writer.

And yes........at 8000 miles....I am one happy maurader

Scott, whatd they do with that subwoofer problem?!

[ChruiSSer]

What size shoes does a stock Marauder run on? They're pretty big I hear... I've got 255/50/17's up front and I've noticed on some roads she pulls hard to the right, others to the left, and others she's straight as an arrow...¿ We've got large tires, and it tends to run with the grooves in the road, wherever they may go. She tends to "dart" a lot on weathered roads.
As with the lights, condensation means it's not air tight, so it could be something as simple as a rubber gasket, or something else of the sort.

[Reaper948]

Sittin on 18x8s...

somebody let him know the tire sizes....i dont remember

[2003Marauder]

Big on the Front and Bigger on the Back.

[ChruiSSer]

Fronts are 235/50/18's
Rears are 245/55/18's

Yea you guys should have the same problem with "floating" on weathered roads...Hows the handling on these? With the speed sensitive steering and all...does it take getting used to?

[jefferson-mo]

Not at all for me.....I love the new front suspension and steering....................

[RCSignals]

haven't noticed any "floating"

[Macon Marauder]

Mine (with just over 2800 miles) tracks straight and true and steering is tight. No floating.

Gas gauge goes all the way up (slightly past F).

No fogging yet - will keep checking.

Rear deck rattles slightly under high volume and lots of bass. Not a concern yet.

[Mark McQuaide]

The new chassis/steering/suspension really transforms the car. Not floaty at all. Quite surprising the first time you push the beast into a fast corner - that's what sold me on the car more than anything.

[prchrman]

I'm not a motor trend test driver but after 22 hours of driving in rain, ice and snow in 4 states, my MM tracks sure and true. Would not even let the little woman take the wheel.

[2003Marauder]

Trips are wonderful. Usually when we make a Chicago run of about 10 hours the wife and I swap out she drives about 1/3 the way. Last trip. she drove ZERO. Drove the entire roundtrip and not fatigued at all. She said the same thing about the drive--really comfortable. Another reason I bought the MM is to not have to fly as much because of the hassle, treatment, rude passsengers, etc. Now I just fly low.

[mdmarauder]

I've got a question for you guys. I have an early build 300A. I had to have the steering wheel replaced last week. The leather looked like a lighter shade of gray then what was previously there. I checked the part number it was correct. Now I have a squeaky seat that the dealer can't seem to fix. Looks like I may be getting an entire new seat. My question is did Ford change the interior color? I believe I have Dark Graphite. I know it will not match perfect but I don't want two completely diff. shades.

[Mark McQuaide]

Just got my wheel replaced, and I noticed that lighter shade too - I thought it was just me!

[Wags]

I had my wheel replaced about a month ago. It is also slightly lighter than what came with the car. I think that we will just have to live with it.

Wags

[Mark McQuaide]

I probably would have kept the original if I'd have known. A little glue would have fixed it fine.

[mdmarauder]

Mark,

I had my steering wheel replaced because the volume down button stopped working. I can live with the lighter shade of the wheel. I'm more concerned about the new seat being lighter. The squeak is real annoying.

[Mark McQuaide]

I doubt the seat will be a different color - they would have to replace all of the seats if it was.

[mdmarauder]

Remember, we are talking about a Ford Dealer. They argued about the steering wheel color being correct. And I see I'm not the only one that noticed that. Maybe I'm too cynical but I work part-time at another Ford Dealership. Thanks for the info guys.

[marauder307]

Wow! What a lot of responses! Here's how I've decided...

1. Fuel guage is working. Ain't gonna mess with it.

2. Alignment's fine. The (very minor) tendency to dive for the weeds is due to AL's crummy roads and the Marauder's big-a$$ tires...bigger than I'm used to. My Mustangs both rode on 225/55ZR16s.

3. Foglights...and now passenger headlight...will wait until first oil change. I can't imagine it's a big fix...just beef up the sealing around the lights...

4. ...and the same for the subwoofer. The temp solution for the rattle is to just turn the doggone thing up all the way! That way, you don't hear the rattle....

Thanks for everything folks!

[frdwrnch]

Here's a heads up on getting your Marauder wheel alignment. These cars have a "lipless" rim. Most alignment heads are made to engage a lip on the rim. Use of these alignment heads will leave 4 scratches on the rim's edge. Make sure your alignment shop (or dealer) uses an adapter for the alignment head that grabs the outer ci***ference of the tire and will not damage the rims.RW>

[buddie]

HEY GUY'S,
I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO START A NEW THREAD, I'VE ONLY POSTED A FEW TIMES--BUT, I ACTUALLY HAVE A FEW TECHNICAL QUESTIONS!
I JUST SPOKE WITH THE "DEALER" AND I'M NOT SURE WHO KNOW'S LESS, ME OR THE DEALER, BUT THEY TELL ME THAT MY STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT HAVE A LOCK AND IS NOT SUPPOSED TO AND THAT MY VOLT METER AND OIL GAGUE ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, I TOLD THEM THAT THEY DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE WORKING FINE! HAVE ANY OF YOU EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMBS WITH THE METERS, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK OR IF THEY ARE JUST FOR "SHOW"!!! AND DOES ANYONE HAVE A STEERING LOCK? THANK'S!!!!

[Macon Marauder]

Yeah, my steering wheel locks when I take the key out.

Both meters "work" but the oil pressure gauge is not what it seems. But you knew that, right?

I hope there is another dealer near you...

[GarageMahal]

Are you filling the tank with the car running?

My gauge has always read full or above after a pit stop except for the one time it was just way too cold to turn the car off when I filled up.

jta

[RF Overlord]

buddie:

Yes, your steering wheel should most definitely lock...I believe it's a federal safety requirement...(not positive)...haven't seen a car since 1969 that didn't lock the wheel.

As far as the gauges, the voltmeter is real and works, or at least SHOULD work correctly...put the car in gear, turn on the lights, and push one of the window switches...you should see the reading drop...

The oil pressure gauge is a fake and will always read the same no matter what engine speed or temperature. It's actually a glorified "idiot light". AutoMeter makes a real gauge that looks almost identical (P/N 4327), but you have to replace the sender, too (sender comes with the gauge if you choose that route).

[buddie]

THANK'S A MILLION EVERYONE!!!!!!
THANK'S FOR THE PART NUMBER "OVERLORD" I REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND WILL DEFINITLY GO THAT ROUTE!!

[mtnh]

I don't know if buddie has a steering wheel lock, but he sure does have a CAPS lock!

Yikes

[TAF]

:lol: Good one mtnh...

[Murader03]

Be kind fellows. Buddy might be an old coot like me who can't see the small letters well, and need caps!:beer:

[Menace]

WHY DOES C-U-M NOT SHOW UP IN WORDS LIKE CIR***FERENCE ? SEE!

[MM03MOK]

It's that dang profanity filter. Just insert a period in the middle.

[Black Terror]

known this before having your car aligned and getting wheel damage. Hope everyone takes note of this.

[gonzo50]

RF Overlord, how is the steering wheel suppose to lock, just like buddie, mine also doesn't lock, I tried to locate it in the owners manual but to no avail. :confused: This is the first for me that I can recall. Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon, please do tell. :o

[RF Overlord]

gonzo:

Um, I'm not sure how to describe it...I haven't driven a car since the late 60's that DOESN'T lock. When you turn the ignition to the "Lock" position, which is the only way to remove the key, it should lock the wheel from turning; however, there are only a limited number of "slots", if you will, that the lock engages, so the wheel may be turned as much as 45° (or so?) before it clicks into the "locked" mode. At that point, it will no longer turn in either direction.

[LincMercLover]

Not to mention it'll be a b***h to get the key to turn once it locks! Sometimes a little yank of the wheel while turning the key is needed.

[frdwrnch]

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. WITH THE ADVENT OF THE PASSIVE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR IT HAS BEEN DEEMED REDUNDANT AND UNNECESSARY BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

[NYSP618]

Wait, premium fuel and a need fuel light comes on, better find an atm first.

;)

[buddie]

FRDWRNCH
I SEE YOU FOUND YOUR CAPS LOCK .
I LIKE IT!
PS I SPOKE TO FORD REP HE SAID NO MORE STEARING LOCKS

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by frdwrnch
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. WITH THE ADVENT OF THE PASSIVE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR IT HAS BEEN DEEMED REDUNDANT AND UNNECESSARY BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

The wife just got home with the car, and she said it locks, so of course I had to go out and check anyway...

...well I'll be a broke-dick dog...it DOESN'T lock...sumbit¢h...

[buddie]

WELCOME TO THE NO STEARING LOCK CLUB OVERLORD
IM THINKING (THE CLUB) I JUST DONT TRUST THE PASSIVE PART
OF THE PASSIVE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM SOUNDS KINDA LAME

[Menace]

My car was built on 5-28-02. Picked it up 6-13-02. No steering wheel lock. (1100 miles).

[gonzo50]

Well I'll be DAMN,:lol: after trying to locate this so called slot by turning the steering wheel half left and half right in small increments and the turning on and off of the ignition to use the power steering pump so I don't lock anything up and to remove the key, the whole time pulling my hair out of my head, it never existed. :confused: Thanks for the clarification, frdwrnch & buddie.:D

[Katmandu]

P.S. Roads in question are Hwy 231, the Atlanta Hwy, and the Eastern Boulevard in Montgomery.
Well... I just Retired from the USAF at Maxwell, AFB Montgomery, AL on 16 Jan 03.

We lived there for the past 2 1/2 years and I can attest to those crappy roads down there. We lived just off I-85/Eastern Blvd in the Woodmere area.

The Prairie soil (mixture of sand/clay) is Unreal. It erodes like crazy and causes havoc to level cement surfaces.

I've never heard of people "Watering down the foundations of their houses before !" BTW, for those that don't know why, it's done to prevent the foundation from cracking and sinking. Unfortuneatly, the roads can't be watered down regularly.

[Katmandu]

Posted by Scott:
I actually live in Dallas and bought mine in Montgomery. Hey Scott! I'm probably the person who "Broke" your car in! :D

Sorry bout that! :P :P

I test drove a MM from the Merc Dealer down there in Montgomery back in September.

The salesman and I went on a 50- mile Rop-a-thon!! :bounce: :rock: :rock: :D

He let me do Burnouts! Tranny drops! Doughnuts! The whole 9 yards!!:rock: :rock:

J/K!:lol:

[marauder307]

Well, gotta new problem...

Last couple of times I've filled up, the gas guage has stuck! It'll read F for awhile; after I 've put about 100 or so miles on the tank, it'll still read just below the F (as described in the first post of this thread). So I take two fingers, tap lightly (LIGHTLY,...don't hammer on the instrument glass!), and the needle promptly drops into the proper position.

Latest tank of gas, doesn't seem to be doing it this time. But I'm apprehensive...think I've got a gremlin floating around in the instrument cluster and he likes my gas guage.

Does anybody know how this thing is connected to the rest of the fuel system? Obviously it's not direct-connected...but I don't understand how it's wired up. Can anyone offer some tech advice here?:alone:

[TripleTransAm]

The fuel level info is determined by a float that is connected to a variable resistor (a potentiometer, basically). You can see a shot of the paddle-like float in a photo of Dennis' fuel pump elsewhere.

The float feeds the dash directly, although there is a side branch feeding the info to the PCM, for some as-of-yet undetermined reason.

The info is buffered by the anti-slosh module before being fed to the actual fuel level gage. This anti-slosh module serves as a 'delay' in order to avoid having the needle move around as the car accelerates, brakes, or turns, reacting to the fuel sloshing about.

The anti-slosh module appears to be part of the instrument cluster itself, so if you tapped the cluster you might have ended up shaking the module a bit as well. Unfortunately, the wiring manual being what it is, it's impossible to tell whether the gage would read full with a short or an open circuit.

Warranty...

[MERCMAN]

The MM has a low fuel light? HUH go figure, never let mine get that low:)

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by mercman
The MM has a low fuel light? HUH go figure, never let mine get that low:) The low fuel light should come on momentarily when you start your MM.

[ik04]

Howdy,

My fuel guage goes all the way to full for a short time, then suddenly drops to about three-quarters and seems normal after that.

It p.i.s.s.e.s. me off that the oil pressure guage is fake....

Crystal Method- Mad mad world. Cool.

Kevin

[TripleTransAm]

Forgot to add, yes there is the possibility of crap getting lodged in the potentiometer (not likely, but possible) and that would keep your fuel gage reading full. A tap on the instrument panel shouldn't affect it, though, so perhaps that's just coincidence.

There is a huge class action suit going on up here involving Shell Oil, for having used damaging additives in their 87 octane fuel. Lots of cars with messed up fuel delivery systems and many have had to be torn apart... some of the symptoms were gummed up fuel level senders and such.