2004 explorer interior/exterior lights flickering

[jgranger79]

I have a 2004 explorer. Recently it started with the interior lights, headlights and dash board lights flickering almost pulsating. The do not go dim and I had the alternator and battery checked and they are fine. What could be causing my issue? The truck runs anddand drives fine, the flickering /pulsating lights are annoying and I would like to find out what could be causing this. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tyleryac]

Maybe it's a wiring issue

 

[jgranger79]

I was told it could be a loose connection to the alternator and good luck finding it..... That was the response I got from auto zone.it is annoying!

 

[jgranger79]

But I need to know where to start looking for the loose connection because I have no clue where to start!

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard!!

I'll post up some good info when I get home tonight!!

 

[tubeless]

Does it do it all the time the lights are on, or just when the engine is running?

 

[jgranger79]

It does it all the time. It's just more noticeable in the evening because for it being dark

 

[BigRondo]

I changed the title of your thread to increase exposure.



I had similar electrical issues with my '02 XLT. The dome lights would stay on until the battery saver feature turned them off, the accessory delay wasn't working, the driver side puddle light didn't work, the keypad on the door would set off the alarm when I pressed it, the door ajar light would flash and beep at highway speeds, the radio would shut off as soon as I turned the key off, the alarm would beep twice when I armed it. Recently all 4 windows stopped working. Most recently the driver door lock actuator stopped working.

A lot of electrical issues can be traced back to broken/damaged wire(s) in the boot between the body and the driver's door. I found 3 broken wires and repaired them. The thin black ground wire was broken and after repairing it all was back to normal. When the windows stopped working, I repaired the thick black ground wire and the windows now work like a champ. I had to repair the pink/black wire to fix the driver door lock actuator.

Here is the thread for removing the door panel: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=303524

Here is a great thread for checking for broken/damaged wires, thanks to synyster for this awesome write-up: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=270081

Unfortunately the pictures are no longer available in the above thread. IIRC, I believe I unwrapped the wires enough to gain access. When I have gone searching in there I had an idea of what wire I was looking for. I located the the wire I was looking for and gently tugged on that wire on the door side. The wire was pulled toward me and out of the harness. I then went inside the vehicle and gently tugged on the the wire I was looking for and was able to pull it inside the vehicle. I then spliced a length of wire to the 2 ends, completing the circuit. I then gently pulled the excess into the door.

Be sure to take your time when looking for broken/damaged wire(s). Check all the wires for breaks/damage. When you think you're done looking, look again, and again, and again. A bright flashlight can be very helpful.

Let me know if there is anything else you need. I have the shop manuals up to 2003, but might be able to provide some insight.

Good luck getting it sorted.

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!