02 explorer battery saver relay

[Lurkin]

I recently purchased an 02 Explorer XLT, and am trying to fix a few gremlins. The recent one concerns a battery drain issue. After 2 or 3 days of sitting, the battery dies. I have had the battery tested, apparently it should be good. I've checked the alternator output a few times, it's putting out about 14.5 every time.

One thread I read, said the top couple of issues are either the alternator may have a bad diode, or the battery saver relay may be toast. I know there may be several other things that could cause the problem, but I'd like to check the battery saver relay. I've had a hard time finding it. Diffferent threads say way different things, and some have photos, that look nothing like what I found in the manual. I finally downloaded the owners manual for an 02 Explorer, and it shows that the battery saver Relay is in the fuse panel (top Side)

The diagrams look like it's the same thing as the fuse panel, in shape, so I'm guessing you need to pull the fuse panel and the relays are on the other side or something?

I have pulled 3 bolts, I don't seem to be getting anywhere. There is possibly a clip on one end, but it doesn't seem to move or help.

Does anyone know if I'm even going in the right direction, or barking up the wrong tree? I seem to find other photos or info on an o3, or an earlier year, or whatever, which are way different, I'm just hoping someone actually knows. I've seen many posts that are all speculation.

Also, I had to take my 92 in for an emissions test today to re register it, the mechanic and shop owner told me the battery saver relay wouldn't cause the issue.

I hear so many different takes on it, many possibly blowing smoke up my......

Anyhow, any ideas about the fuse block thing and if the relays are on the other side and how to get it out without breaking anything?

I'm second guessing even picking this one up. It's a pretty nice vehicle, but there are so many odd disappointing things Ford did with this one.. The oil filter adapter plate sucked to replace that gasket, the transmission deal is ridiculous...I changed the filter and oil, I just can't understand why the dipsticks wouldn't put a dipstick in it? instead, you have to fill it from the pan, and you can't check anything without getting under it and pulling a silly torx screw out of the middle of the plug. ..... and then, if the plug is old, the silly torx screw strips out because it's ceased, and you have to go find another one. Aftermarket ones have the same head, but smaller diameter inlet, so the 1/8 mpt nipple won't work with your pump to fill it from underneath, so you end up mucking around laying under there figuring your best route to fill the tranny from underneath since there's no tube to do it from above (unless you have a lift) By the way, if you do it on Sunday, and advanced is closed, dealerships are closed, don't wait an hour in line at Autozone, because they don't have the plug. O'reillys did though, but the center is smaller, so don't count on using the 1/8" nipple to fill it, it won't work.

I did buy a Haynes manual, but as far as I've found, there isn't much help on the fuse panel issue. There are wiring diagrams and such that may be helpful, if things go further, but mot much about the fuse block or getting to the specific relay

Pardon getting off-subject and my rant, and Pardon my ignorance, and any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Mamagottatoy]

I recently purchased an 02 Explorer XLT, and am trying to fix a few gremlins. The recent one concerns a battery drain issue. After 2 or 3 days of sitting, the battery dies. I have had the battery tested, apparently it should be good. I've checked the alternator output a few times, it's putting out about 14.5 every time.

One thread I read, said the top couple of issues are either the alternator may have a bad diode, or the battery saver relay may be toast. I know there may be several other things that could cause the problem, but I'd like to check the battery saver relay. I've had a hard time finding it. Diffferent threads say way different things, and some have photos, that look nothing like what I found in the manual. I finally downloaded the owners manual for an 02 Explorer, and it shows that the battery saver Relay is in the fuse panel (top Side)

The diagrams look like it's the same thing as the fuse panel, in shape, so I'm guessing you need to pull the fuse panel and the relays are on the other side or something?

I have pulled 3 bolts, I don't seem to be getting anywhere. There is possibly a clip on one end, but it doesn't seem to move or help.

Does anyone know if I'm even going in the right direction, or barking up the wrong tree? I seem to find other photos or info on an o3, or an earlier year, or whatever, which are way different, I'm just hoping someone actually knows. I've seen many posts that are all speculation.

Also, I had to take my 92 in for an emissions test today to re register it, the mechanic and shop owner told me the battery saver relay wouldn't cause the issue.

I hear so many different takes on it, many possibly blowing smoke up my......

Anyhow, any ideas about the fuse block thing and if the relays are on the other side and how to get it out without breaking anything?

I'm second guessing even picking this one up. It's a pretty nice vehicle, but there are so many odd disappointing things Ford did with this one.. The oil filter adapter plate sucked to replace that gasket, the transmission deal is ridiculous...I changed the filter and oil, I just can't understand why the dipsticks wouldn't put a dipstick in it? instead, you have to fill it from the pan, and you can't check anything without getting under it and pulling a silly torx screw out of the middle of the plug. ..... and then, if the plug is old, the silly torx screw strips out because it's ceased, and you have to go find another one. Aftermarket ones have the same head, but smaller diameter inlet, so the 1/8 mpt nipple won't work with your pump to fill it from underneath, so you end up mucking around laying under there figuring your best route to fill the tranny from underneath since there's no tube to do it from above (unless you have a lift) By the way, if you do it on Sunday, and advanced is closed, dealerships are closed, don't wait an hour in line at Autozone, because they don't have the plug. O'reillys did though, but the center is smaller, so don't count on using the 1/8" nipple to fill it, it won't work.

I did buy a Haynes manual, but as far as I've found, there isn't much help on the fuse panel issue. There are wiring diagrams and such that may be helpful, if things go further, but mot much about the fuse block or getting to the specific relay

Pardon getting off-subject and my rant, and Pardon my ignorance, and any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks

I had a similar problem and it ended up being a ground. Since the negative battery terminal was a mess I had intended on replacing it anyway and there was a bunch of corrosion so I ended up cutting off a lot of wire on both sides. But that fixed the issue. Maybe consider a seven dollar battery terminal first?

 

[Lurkin]

I had a similar problem and it ended up being a ground. Since the negative battery terminal was a mess I had intended on replacing it anyway and there was a bunch of corrosion so I ended up cutting off a lot of wire on both sides. But that fixed the issue. Maybe consider a seven dollar battery terminal first?

Thanks much for the suggestion, I'll take a look at it later today. The terminals were a little ditry and I have cleaned them up, but everything is tight and I hadn't noticed anything visually that would be an issue.

Also, I've never had that happen before, and in all I have read, I have never seen anyone mention that a bad negative terminal end could cause such a drain issue. I did once have a starting issue with a vehicle I picked up, and found the problem to be corrosion up into the cables, which wasn't visible because it was way up under the insulation. It didn't drain the battery though, in just kept the power from getting to where it need to go.

Do you know why the bad negative terminal end killed your battery in a few days, just so I understand?

Thanks again for your help

 

[Mamagottatoy]

Thanks much for the suggestion, I'll take a look at it later today. The terminals were a little ditry and I have cleaned them up, but everything is tight and I hadn't noticed anything visually that would be an issue.

Also, I've never had that happen before, and in all I have read, I have never seen anyone mention that a bad negative terminal end could cause such a drain issue. I did once have a starting issue with a vehicle I picked up, and found the problem to be corrosion up into the cables, which wasn't visible because it was way up under the insulation. It didn't drain the battery though, in just kept the power from getting to where it need to go.

Do you know why the bad negative terminal end killed your battery in a few days, just so I understand?

Thanks again for your help

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Nope. Only had truck a couple weeks, had a friend tell me he had mistaken an alternator problem that was a bad ground, and followed thread:

Ford Explorer Starter No crank procedure​

There is also a thread for common issues, think it says “try this first!” That refers to a couple of harness issues that cause weird gremlins, recommend that one too

 

[Lurkin]

Nope. Only had truck a couple weeks, had a friend tell me he had mistaken an alternator problem that was a bad ground, and followed thread:

Ford Explorer Starter No crank procedure​

There is also a thread for common issues, think it says “try this first!” That refers to a couple of harness issues that cause weird gremlins, recommend that one too

Thanks for the insight. I'll definitely check that out. I'm just not quite as electrically minded as some and I get why it would prevent power going where it should, I just don't get why it would make that draw.