94 Explorer Electrical gremlins

[dzjammer]

I've asked a couple different places with no results so you guys get a chance. I have a 94 Explorer Eddie Bauer with multiple electrical issues.
1. dome light doesn't come on. only comes on when back hatch door is open and driver door is open. does not come on with headlight switch.
2. no power locks. I had the unlock function working occasionally after messing with the keyless entry box at the rear.
3. no dash or park lights when i pull the headlight switch. I can only get them on when I have the switch halfway between 1st and 2nd click. I've swapped the switch with another and also checked it in a different vehicle and all is good with it.
last night when i got in after work, the anti-theft light started flashing, headlights flashed, but it started and ran ok. when i hit the unlock button on the door, the headlights would flash on every time i hit it.
I also swapped out the keyless entry relay box with another car to no avail.
I'm starting to think I have some wires or relays loose under the dash. 2 of the autolamp relays were disconnected when i bought it.
If anybody has any suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[suprcharg97]

1. I don't have a wiring diagram with me but I am going to take a guess on your electrical concern. I would check to make sure there is no water intrusion concerns present and now you are noticing it. Is there any recent modifications done on the vehicle to induce concern, like aftermarket equipment. Can you duplicate the concern all the time or is it intermittent? If you can duplicate the concern all the time. I would start with the systems effected by the concern. Try and isolate the concern, dome light, no pwr locks, no dash or parks lights, anti-theft light flashing, headlight flashing, inoperative. You need to first pull the electrical schmatic of the vehicle and see what circuits are involved in the concern. Start with the ground circuit, if this is common to all of the modules and sensor inputs, this could be your problem. Check all the fuses but I doubt that is the concern. I would check the pwr circuits going into the systems effected. If you know how to conduct a voltage drop test, I recommend this over all. Place a load on the circuit and check the voltage drop present. You can conduct wiggle tests and check the connectors for pin push out or chaffing of the harness.

 

[dzjammer]

a quick update. i just bought this rig and fixed the head gaskets last week so this is all I know for history of it. I was in the dash last weekend trying to trace the dome lights and must have popped a fuse because I did find one this afternoon that got my dash/park lights going. I actually bought a pair of these with the thought of getting them both running. they're both 94 eddie bauers so thats where i'm getting spare parts from. for the locks, I can hear a relay clicking at the rear sometimes, but it only seems to be after I get a response from the anti-theft, which i don't have the keyless remote so can't unlock/disarm. if i push the locks down, they will pop up when i hit and it feels like sending the signal. i've trace the dome light into the keyless entry relay box, so i feel like thats where my problem is along with the anti-theft.

 

[suprcharg97]

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

The theft warning system provides the vehicle with protection from unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment, engine compartment (hood opening), and liftgate. If triggered, the system provides both audio and visual alarm signals and disables the starter circuit.

The system is controlled by an electronic module. When armed, unauthorized entry into the vehicle is detected by door open warning lamp switches (located in the passenger compartment doors) and a hood switch (located on the right front fender apron.

Once triggered, the system flashes the low beam headlamps, the parking lamps, the alarm indicator, and sounds the horn. In addition, the starter circuit is interrupted until the system is disarmed.Triggering the System

The system is triggered if any one of the following is performed.

1. Driver's door, passenger door or liftgate is opened without using a key or keyless entry.

2. Message center key board switch and circuit is opened.
Arming the System

The system will be armed when the following input sequence is followed:

1. Turn off ignition switch lock cylinder.

2. Open a door. Anti-theft indicator flashes.

3. Lock doors with door lock switches or with the keyless entry lock code. Indicator on steadily.

4. Close all doors.

NOTE:
Opening the passenger compartment doors or opening the hood will activate the alarm.

5. Wait approximately 30 seconds for the anti-theft indicator to turn off indicating system is armed.

The system will also be armed by the remote entry transmitter or message center key board switch and circuit when the following input sequence is followed:

6. Turn off ignition switch lock cylinder ignition.

7. Close all doors.

8. Press the LOCK button of the transmitter or simultaneously press buttons 7/8 and 9/0 on the keypad to lock doors.

9. Wait approximately 30 seconds for the anti-theft indicator lamp to turn off; then the system is armed.
You might want to try and take a look at the RKE module and see if there is a keyless entry code on it somewhere. I think the system might be getting a bad input or operating normally, because its getting armed. Now I know some of these system have to recieve a prndl input before they will lock the vehicle to avoid locking your kids or keys in the vehicle. See if this gets you started in the right direction. I have some more information if you need it, schmatics service manual etc