1994 Ford Explorer Car made a clunk and now won't turn!

SCRAPM

MEMBER
1994 FORD EXPLORER

1994 Ford Explorer Four Wheel Drive Automatic

Just went out and started the car, got in reverse and started backing out. I heard a bit of a clunking noise (like something was falling out of the car) and didn't think much of it, then realized that the wheel was hard to turn and that the car wasn't turning. The battery light was on and didn't go off, I put the car in drive and got back in my parking spot. There's nothing that I can see that was hanging down from the car, nor was there anything I might have hit.

What the heck could be wrong with the car and how much do you think it would cost to be fixed?

Thanks so much for any help you can provide, I really appreciate it.

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,400 POSTS

Based on your description, it sounds like the serp belt broke. Have you checked that? It is the one belt that runs the power steering pump, alternator, water pump, AC compressor.

Check that and let me know what you find.

Joe

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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 10:11 PM

SCRAPM

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks Joe!

When my husband gets home I'll let him know. I'm hoping that the problem will be cheap and easy to fix!

I'll also come back and let everyone know what happened, just in case somebody else finds themself in the same position.

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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 10:53 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,400 POSTS

Yes, it will be helpful, so let us know.

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Thursday, April 15th, 2010 AT 7:00 AM

SCRAPM

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The serp belt was broken, it snapped due to some sort of pulley system that also runs the air conditioner.

Ford sent over the part, but it turns out it was off by a quarter of an inch. Despite Ford's reassurances that this was the right part and the fact that nothing in this area has ever been replaced or fixed, my mechanic tried to fix the part. Unfortunately that was a bust and I ended up having to put in a new compressor; luckily Ford gave me a discount on the part so if any of you have the same problem, make Ford give you a discount!

So my simple broken belt turned into a $500, 3 day affair, hope this doesn't happen to any of you.

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Monday, April 26th, 2010 AT 2:56 PM