1999 Explorer shuts-off while driving

[Cailein]

I am trying to diagnose a problem that the dealer cannot find as it is intermiitant and is not being captured by the OBD II system. While driving, including decelerating, the gauges go to their limits with other dash lights (air bag, check engine, 4WD, etc.) light up followed by the engine shutting off (as if I turned the key off) and the only dash light flashing is the 'Theft' light. Most times this happens the engine comes back on again and I am able to keep driving, sometimes I have to pull off. During the times I pull off, the car will not even turn over, including the starter. The ACC position on the ignition won't even allow power for the ACCessories. When this happens, after a few seconds to up to a minute or two (seems like the time to restart has been increasing), the power comes back to start the vehicle and continue driving.

I am thinking the Air Conditioner may be related or the extra load it puts on the engine as in the last few days I haven't used the A/C and have not had this problem occur. Not sure how much that A/C circuit has control over the overall electrical system. Another thought is possibly the transmission's electrical systems because of when the problem has occured during deceleration. The dealer was only able to say that my IAC needed was sticking and the two only O2 sensors could be replaced and that one has a short in its lead but went on to say that would not cause these problems. I have replaced the IAC and tried disconnecting the battery to reset any abberant settings, yet the problems still exists.

I bought an Autoenginuity OBD II scanner and the only DTC it exhibits is a B1834 'Door Unlock Disarm Output Circuit Failure ' problem. It has yet to complete testing the EVAP system and will need to complete a longer trip I guess for it to get enough information.

The only other problem the vehicle has is a very rare (less than five times a year) windshield wiper turn on. The rear wiper occassionally doesn't work but wiggling the wiper arms brings it back to life. The vehicle also had Daytime Running Lights / Automatic Headlights on at Night system installed by the dealer when it was new. Other than this the vehicle has had no major and only a few minor problems. It has been a great vehicle with about 100K miles.

Thank you in advance for your review and any replies.

 

[budwich]

My guess.... high resistance and / or no ground. The result causes unstable voltage conditions on control units, gages, and other stuff. Net result might be things like the theft circuit "partially" activates, the GEM not activating certain relays, and ultimately a dead system until the ground is re-established.

 

[00XLS]

I bought an Autoenginuity OBD II scanner and the only DTC it exhibits is a B1834 'Door Unlock Disarm Output Circuit Failure ' problem. It has yet to complete testing the EVAP system and will need to complete a longer trip I guess for it to get enough information.


Sounds to me like your anti-theft system isn't fully disarming itself. As I understand it, these systems shut down main functions in the vehicle if not dis armed. Unfortunatly I haven't a cat ass as to how to troubleshoot.

 

[Cailein]

On another message forum an internal battery short was suggested as the possible cause. Any thoughts to that?

 

[IZwack]

an internal battery short could be it.. or some other short on the body.. the interesting thing u said in ur first post is that ur gauges are going to their max right before it shuts off.. as if theres all of a sudden a power surge...

 

[Cailein]

The 'Theft' light started flashing while driving the night that the first crazy gauge experience occurred. I'm starting to think the Theft System maybe shutting the vehicle down.

I just put a new battery in my wife's 2001 Windstar. I'll switch batteries to see if can eliminate the battery. I'd like to find some diagnostics for the "Theft' system.

 

[jp450]

Did you ever have the recall done to your Ex that fixes the wiper problems? I know that the recall fixed a few other "Driveability" problems too.

 

[00XLS]

I've heard of dying alternators causing gauges to go whacky right before they left go. Not sure if it would cause it to shut down.

 

[gensic11]

try to refill your AC system with a new bottle of freon.. my truck likes to shut off when the A/C is on because of the lack of freon at a stop causes it to cycle which pushes a huge load on the battery and leads to the truck dying.. once i filled the freon it fixed it.. but my A/C currently doesnt work cause the AC system in the 1995-1998 models blow arse

 

[Cailein]

Dealer said there are no recalls related to wipers on my 99 Exp XLT.

 

[Cailein]

Well the latest is that the battery was not at fault, as the Exp shut down again with the battery from the Windstar. Thanks to those that offered that suggestion.

I did replace the two O2 sensors upstream from the catalytic converter as the dealer said that they had generated a check engine light. The left side had the two white wires insulation removed from a heat shield that came away from the exhaust pipe and was resting on that spot of the wire. Can't say whether this was the cause of the shut down or not, will have to do some driving and see what happens.

I am still considering the subscription to alldatadiy.com. Anyone got some positive or negative feedback to share with me?

 

[jp450]

I am still considering the subscription to alldatadiy.com. Anyone got some positive or negative feedback to share with me?

I have it and like it. I have fixed several problems by using it.

 

[TPLYNCH]

The recall was for the GEM (general electronics module) in '99. They were defective and caused "phantom wipers", 4x4 and other electrical related issues.

 

[jp450]

Dealer said there are no recalls related to wipers on my 99 Exp XLT.

Bologna... Call them up and tell them about this:

Recall 00V072000: GEM Controlled Wiper Function Problem
Vehicle Description:
Multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines and All-time 4-Wheel Drive (A4WD) powertrains. The generic electronic module (GEM) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the GEM controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4x4 system, etc.) could not be turned ON or, in some cases if the function is ON, could not be turned OFF. An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will install a resistor in the GEM circuit. Owner notification began April 15, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1999 FORD TRUCK EXPLORER
1999 MERCURY TRUCK MOUNTAINEER
2000 FORD TRUCK EXPLORER
2000 MERCURY TRUCK MOUNTAINEER

I think you can goto the ford site some where and put your VIN in and check to see if there are any outstanding recalls for your vehicle.
Here is the link: https://myford.fordvehicles.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=MyFord/Page/LogOnPage&ord=39888938

 

[Cailein]

The recall must have been done at least as far as installing the easily accessed resister wire harness. Can't tell if the GEM got replaced which is behind the instrument panel and would take some effort by the technician. I see the resister, can't tell if the GEM has been replaced and I am sure that the dealer would assure me that it was done . . . then it becomes a 'he said, she said' thing. This is from the same dealer that let my wife drive away with the subframe unbolted in her Taurus.

Is there any numbers on the GEM that could be used to determine if it was original or the recall replacement?

Mine still on occasion has the inoperable wiper in the back and the unexpected wiper coming on in the front. I am not sure yet if the GEM controls shifting in some way or not and could be causing the erradic gauge behaviour prior to shifting the Exp into neutral, engine racing, then losing full electrical.

 

[jp450]

Mine still on occasion has the inoperable wiper in the back and the unexpected wiper coming on in the front. I am not sure yet if the GEM controls shifting in some way or not and could be causing the erradic gauge behaviour prior to shifting the Exp into neutral, engine racing, then losing full electrical.

If the wiper still comes on all by it self then the recall was not done correctly or a part of the recall may have failed. Have it checked again.

 

[Cailein]

Now the radio changes from FM1 preselects to FM2 preselects while ignition is in ACC. It was a rainy day and later on the way home the vehicle had the erradic gauge behaviour and going into neutral. It looks like this vehicle problem, not radio, is water related. Any thoughts?

 

[jp450]

Try running Norton. Sounds like a virus...