So Fix it

You can disable the seat belt alarms in a Ford F-250 at home, saving yourself time and money. The F-250 comes standard with the Belt-Minder system. This illuminates a seat belt light on the instrument panel and sounds a bell when the vehicle is started. This system is to remind you to fasten seat belts, and the alarm stops after belts are fastened. However, some people may find it annoying and want to disable it. Remember that if you do disable the system, it still is the law in most states to fasten your seat belt before driving.

Instructions

1

Put the key into the ignition. Turn it to the "run" position, taking care to not start the engine. The seat belt alarm will chime after 60 seconds, and the seat belt light will illuminate on the instrument panel.

2

Fasten and unfasten the drivers side safety belt nine times in 50 seconds after the seat belt light shuts off. Notice that the SRS light becomes illuminated on the instrument panel.

3

Fasten and unfasten the drivers seat belt once within 10 seconds of the SRS light turning on. The light will flash 12 times within 3 seconds to warn you that the alarm is disabled. Repeat for the passengers seat.

The best way to tow a Ford F-150 is on a flatbed truck. Because the Ford F-150 is primarily a rear-wheel drive vehicle, it presents a few unique challenges when it needs to be towed. First, a tow truck that does not have a flatbed must winch the rear wheels instead of the front wheels. The problem with this scenario is that it leaves the front wheels free to turn, potentially causing harm to the F-150 and the tow truck if the wheels suddenly turn while towing is in progress.

Instructions

1

Check that the flatbed truck is at least a medium duty truck able to support 5,500 pound or more. Explain to the tow company or the tow-truck rental company that you will be towing a F-150 and ask for a medium duty or higher weight rated tow truck.

2

Lower the flatbed of the tow truck using the flatbeds hydraulics system so that it makes a ramp. If possible, drive the Ford F-150 up the ramp and park the vehicle and engage the parking brake. If it is not possible to drive the F-150, set the truck to neutral and use the tow trucks winch to pull the F-150 onto the flatbed rear wheels first to avoid damaging the transmission.

3

Secure the truck on the back of the flatbed by connecting the tow-truck winch to the F-150 and securing the tires with chains through the wheels and locked to the sides of the flatbed and tightened down, or lock the F-150 into place using metal plates or wheel chocks. Make sure that the back of the flatbed is flat in the upright position, disengage the hydraulics, and lock the bed before driving off.

Depending on the year, make and model of your Ford F-150, the vehicle may have a temperature sensor and a sender: If the truck as a gauge, it will have both; if not, it will only have the sensor. The sender may be located in the radiator or near the thermostat housing. It reads and sends the temperature of the water/antifreeze mixture to the gauge. The sensor also sends the temperature of the water/antifreeze mixture to the computer, so that the computer can make adjustments in timing, air and fuel mixture, and other adjustments needed by the truck to run ai its optimum performance levels and get the best fuel mileage.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the F-150.

2

Inspect the front, center of the engine and locate the rear of the thermostat housing. Find the thermostat housing by following the top radiator hose from the radiator to the block.

3

Place your hand on the sensor that is mounted in the intake manifold, just behind the thermostat housing. The sensor has a round plug, which has wires coming from the wiring harness plugged into it. If you remove it, the base will look like a large bolt that screws into the intake manifold.

4

Push the plastic harness connector out and lift the wiring harness plug out of the sensor. Using the socket, unscrew the coolant temperature sensor from the intake manifold.

5

Wipe a thin layer of anti-seize compound on the threads of the coolant temperature sensor. Screw the sensor into the intake manifold. Plug the wiring harness back in.

Ford equipped the 2003 F-150 trucks that have the optional standard transmission package with a hydraulic clutch system. The clutch system consists of a master cylinder, slave cylinder and a hydraulic clutch line. Depressing the clutch pedal actuates the clutch master cylinder, which pressurizes the hydraulic line and slave cylinder, similar to how a hydraulic brake system works. Air bubbles suspended in the hydraulic fluid will lead to a spongy feel at the clutch pedal and could cause clutch drag and gear grind as the transmission is put into gear. Bleed air from the clutch with the engine cold.

Instructions

1

Place the vehicle in neutral and set the parking brake.

2

Open the hood and locate the clutch master cylinder on the right side of the engine compartment against the firewall. Wipe dirt or debris from the clutch master cylinder reservoir cap, using a clean shop rag

3

Remove the reservoir cap and diaphragm. Fill the clutch master cylinder reservoir up to the Full mark with brake fluid.

4

Depress and release the clutch pedal through the full range of travel several times.

5

Locate the bleeder screw on the drivers side of the transmission, just above where the clutch hydraulic line enters the transmission. Remove the rubber bleeder screw cover.

6

Attach a 1/4-inch inside diameter clear vinyl hose to the bleeder screw. Pour a small amount of new brake fluid into a clear container. Submerge the free end of the hose in the brake fluid to prevent drawing air back into the system.

7

Have a helper fully depress and release the clutch pedal five times, then hold the clutch pedal down.

8

Loosen the bleeder screw, using a wrench, and observe the fluid escaping through the hose. Tighten the bleeder screw once fluid flow has stopped.

9

Repeat steps 7 and 8 as necessary until no air is visible in the escaping fluid stream. Occasionally check and top off the fluid level in the reservoir to prevent introducing air into the system. Do not allow the reservoir to run dry.

10

Tighten the bleeder screw securely, using a wrench. Remove the clear vinyl hose. Install the rubber bleeder screw cover.

11

Have your helper slowly pump the clutch pedal through the full range of travel several times and check the bleeder screw for leaks.

12

Depress the clutch pedal halfway and release it twice, then depress and release the clutch pedal through the full range of travel three times.

13

Check and top off the fluid level in the reservoir with brake fluid. Install the reservoir diaphragm and cap.

14

Start the vehicle and check for proper operation of the clutch before operating the F-150 in traffic.

The six-CD changer in a 2007 Ford F-150 allows you to listen to six different discs without changing them. The changer has a disc reader that moves between the six slots to play each disc. Since the changer resides in the F-150s dashboard, its prone to overheating from the temperatures associated with dashboard components, as well as the sunlight striking the dash. While the six-CD player is not repairable by anyone without highly specialized factory training, for the do-it-yourselfer, removing the player for repair or replacement is an easy option.

Instructions

Removal

1

Insert the Ford radio removal tools into the dual holes on the two outer edges of the six-CD faceplate until they click into place.

2

Pull outward on the radio removal tool handles to release the CD changer retaining tabs clear the retaining brackets. Pull backward on the radio removal tool handles to slide the CD changer clear of the dashboard.

3

Reach behind the CD changer and unplug the antenna plug and power/speaker wiring harness connector by hand. Remove the Ford radio removal tools from the CD changer.

Reinstallation

4

Connect the antenna plug to the back of the six-CD changer by hand.

5

Connect the power/speaker wiring harness connector to the back of the changer by hand.

6

Slide the CD changer into the dashboard until it clicks into place with the faceplate flush with the dashboard.

Ford uses a thermal-type fan clutch to regulate cooling fan speed in the 1985 F-150. At low temperature, the clutch slips to reduce fan speed. As the engine heats up, the clutch increases the fan speed to increase the amount of cooling air drawn through the radiator. Fan clutches eventually wear out and either slip or drag, causing overheating or overcooling, respectively. You can use common tools to replace the fan clutch.

Instructions

1

Remove the two radiator shroud retaining bolts one on each side -- on the top flange of the radiator, using a ratchet, socket and wrench. Pull upward slightly to disengage the bottom of the shroud from the radiator pads. Pull the shroud away from the radiator and rest it on the cooling fan.

2

Remove the four clutch to water pump bolts on the fan clutch flange, using a ratchet and socket. Slide the fan clutch and fan around the shroud and out of the engine compartment.

3

Remove the four cooling fan to clutch bolts in the center of the fan, using a ratchet and socket. Lift the fan off the fan clutch. Install the fan onto the new clutch. Put the clutch between two wood blocks and tighten in a vise until snug. Tighten the bolts to 12 to 18 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

4

Slide the new fan clutch into position on the water pump pulley. Install the clutch to water pump bolts and tighten them to 12 to 18 foot-pounds.

5

Move the radiator shroud into position on the radiator. Engage the bottom of the shroud in the radiator pads. Install the radiator shroud retaining bolts, using a ratchet, socket and wrench