Common Problems with the AU??

[azza11]

The battery just died in mine. Racq sold century and its just over 2 years old. Out of warranty by 3 months. Bloke told me i dont drive enough!!! 9500 ks a year. I would not ever buy a century again, gave me the run around big time when i asked the question.
Toss pots

AZZA

[blackers10]

9500 a year!! That's bugger all
I know of alot of weekender type cars get flat batteries as the cells don't get charged etc and die

[AMB]

Originally Posted by blackers10

9500 a year!! That's bugger all
I know of alot of weekender type cars get flat batteries as the cells don't get charged etc and die

Yep, don't blame the battery. Particularly if you use the lights, wipers etc, the car never get a chance to charge the battery up to full. Takes many hours of driving to charge up the battery properly. azza, invest in a trickle charger, one that you can leave connected to the battery all the time. They use bugger all electricity, cost about $90, and will make your battery last for many years.

[jaym]

I've owned mine for almost 2 years and only done 4000 ;)

[AngusMcKinnon]

Originally Posted by Teflon Turbo

i think for key reprgamming is put key in ignition, turn to accessories, press the demister button 3 time in quickly, then the system cycles, doors lock etc.. and that's it from memory??

Thats for keypad - I did it yesterday.

Key is put original in turn to pos I, pull out, put second key in and turn to II. Something like that. I could look up manual if needed.

[Bobman]

Just got an AUIII Futura. Have owned an AU1 and AU2 Forte 5 years ago as well.

I've also worked in the taxi industry from 1999-2006 and spent many hours inside/outside AUs, as well as working on them.

With the one I just picked up, I've had to replace the timing chain tensioner o-ring and fix the window switches. I also replaced the steering wheel with a leather XR one as the standard types commonly wear away to nothing. The keypad battery connector commonly falls out as well, so my fix was to put a small rubber seal between the pad cover and battery. Problem solved. S5 solenoid needs replacing but apart from that it's actually quite a nice car to drive considering it has 343,xxx kms on the odometer.

These cars go forever.

[mercury39]

[QUOTE=Racecraft]Item:- Front Power Windows

Item:- Front Window switches
Problems:- window won't go up or down occasionally, or switch will not reset itself to neutral.


Not quite sure if this is where I need to be, but 1st thank you very much to those who shared their power window problems and fixes, you saved me a lot of hard work and possible unecessary expense, my AU futura would not wind up the LHF window, only done 43,000 kms, so having the LHF door trim stripped down and just about to try and remove the motor / regulator, which almost seemed impossible as the glass was bottomed, and seemed impossible to get up without more dismantling, looking around this forum found the solution, I removed the switch LHF, cleaned the contacts, which had a light brown stain, all non smokers in this car, smokers either don't smoke or they walk, anyway sprayed CRC into it, not attempted dismantling, but still no go, removed the switch from RHF drivers side window, did the same procedure, and great joy every thing was back to normal, all windows wound up or down no problem, it must be the RHF was the one that had resistance somewhere, and wasn't feeding power to the LHF side, so thanks again everyone.

[wagonwheels]

Guys anyone know how i get to the drivers side rear seat belt as it wont retract. Its in my au 99 model
Cheers

[pmannau]

well I've got an AU 2 tradesman ute 11/2001 and I was pretty happy with it, I had even got over the poor fuel economy but thats when the trouble started....
the roof lining started falling off $120.00 easy and fairly cheap, exhaust section between cat and muffler $140.00 not too bad, air con started cutting in and out and temp gauge started cutting in and out and then all of the dash instruments ARRRR still not fixed, sprayed electrical connections with some crc worked for a month or so but still a problem. started getting hot in town, got the radiator and engine flushed and replaced thermostat, $300 wife started getting cranky (this car is costing us a fortune) found red oil in coolant!!! common problem for automatics!!! apparently the auto trans fluid runs through the radiator and they corrode putting coolant in the trans (sometimes) and/or trans fluid in the coolant, killing the transmission luckily I was only up for $520.00 for the radiator and the trans has been ok, harmonic balancer and 180K service $550.00
so all up in the last 12 months $1630.00 and I still have and electrical, over heating and air con problem ARRRRRRR they might all be related so I am going to check the thermo fans today I think the over heating might be that I have lost the low speed thermo fan the temp gauge still sits between N and O on normal but it smells hot (can smell coolant and it feels a lot hotter than it should) in diagnostic it says 92 deg which sounds normal from what I read on the forums but any help would be appreciated.

[deeppocket]

Looks like most AU problems are here. Mine over the last 5 years. AU2 2000 Wagon.
Valve regression- New head $1500.
Door actuators (2) $120
Speakers( seperated(2) ebay $15
Rear g/box seal $80
Front rotors New $220. maching X 2 $80
Hand brake looses adjustment quickly.

An odd fault ## passenger door windows rattle down(always check before car wash)

[frd906]

Front rotors would be a wear and tear problem

[Buzz0003]

My problem started only the other day, the LCD display on the dash cluster (Trip meter, Odometer, ECT) doesn't light up.
I've replaced both bulbs and checked all fuses,they seem fine as far as I can tell.
Also I have noticed that now I dont get the DTE audible warning, I am assuming that the two are related.

Has anybody had this problem before if so how did you fix it?

[george7]

Did the production of the series III get rid of most of these common problems with the SI and II

[urbancowboy]

wagon wheels, Buy a new seat belt, you wont be allowed by law to repair it and a second hand one really isnt a smart move! Would you put a second hand seat belt on your drivers seat? i doubt it!

[wagonwheels]

Finally sorted the seat belt. Now the problem is when i turn the engine off and pull the key out, the orange light is on in the air recirculating switch, the one that lets in air or just recirculates in on the dash beside the fan speed nob draining the battery. If i turn the speed nob on it turns the orange light off. Anyone had this happen before
cheers

[schrammy]

Hey guys

My passanger window wont go up, it went down now it wont work? thought it may be the switch as this is a problem but i cant put it up with the driver controls either?

Any ideas?

Cheers
Ben

[lohnro]

If neither switch will move the window it is probably the motor. I have replaced mine. You have to buy the whole assembly from a second hand parts place. Not expensive considering what it does. It is tricky to remove and install but not hard. Good idea to lubricate the runners with silicon spray to ease the tension on the motor. Good luck

[Skeg37]

My park brake light is fading on and off while idling. I know the handbrake needs adjusting and probably due for a new set of pads, could this be the problem.

[lohnro]

I reckon the switch under the foot pedal needs changing. There is nothing else in the circuit that will make it intermittent.

[XYGTHO]

Originally Posted by george7

Did the production of the series III get rid of most of these common problems with the SI and II

Also qurious if this is the case.

[AMB]

Originally Posted by Skeg37

My park brake light is fading on and off while idling. I know the handbrake needs adjusting and probably due for a new set of pads, could this be the problem.

The park brake switch (located on the lever) is wired directly to earth near the lever. Probably either the earth is bad, or the switch itself has bad/dirty contacts.

[shayne93]

Originally Posted by tags84

mate this happened to me 3 times in my EL that i owned for 12months! then i got my AU and 2 months later it happened in that so i bought 2 switches....... and a bloody of a thing to change, upside down the the foot well lol

I've done 2 in 2 Au's your dead right, dog of a job!

[BJB]

Drivers door lock on AU3. Sometimes it will lock with the key, others it refuses to lock. Up down, back and forwards, sometimes it works sometimes it won't. Are the door lock actuators a common problem. Fix? Cost?

The remote isn't working either.

[Mechan1k]

Common ... If buying new ... you need to get a B-series actuator ... with an AU jump-loom separate.

can get them from wreckers for cheaper ... but it could fail the next day ... or last for years.

New price from Ford about $130-ish
Used price ... not sure. Ask FTG Autosalvage (site sponsor) ... the guys will be able to help you out.

[Swedishmoose]

Hi there,


I was wondering if it is normal that I can just pull the automatic gear lever from "neutral" into "drive" and from "drive" into "3" without pressing the button.

I have to use the release button to put the lever from "neutral" into "reverse" and from "3" to "2" and from "2" to "1" which makes sense to me.

And another small thing...

is it normal that only the driver"s sun visor mirror has a sliding cover and the sun visor on the passenger side has just got a plain mirror without a sliding cover ?


thanks for any information


cheers

The Moose