96 XLT - ignition switch malfunction, power drain

[Laura69]

Greetings! It has been a LONG while since my baby gave me trouble!! THIS seems truly weird.

Just a couple days ago I came home and turned off the Explorer. Strangely, the radio did not turn off as it should. Too, my headlights were on and I turned them off, as usual. But when I opened my car door, the ding-ding-ding alert came on to tell me the lights were still on even though they were not.

I tried turning the truck on and off again and, though it started and shut off, the radio and ding alert continued malfunctioning. Of course, the battery was drained overnight and I could not start it.

I do have a viper on it that turns "off" the battery after the alarm goes off. It had NOT activated until we had to jump it this AM to charge the battery. I was able to turn off the alarm normally with the fob. Again, though the truck started, the same radio and ding alert malfunction presents itself.

A search of the archives didn't show much. I may have missed something, guys (and gals) so pls let me know if I have.

First stop is going to be fuses, of course, but any other ideas? I fear bad wiring in the column, personally...wonder if there is a tidy set of wiring harness just from the firewall to the column that I could replace? If cheap enough I wouldn't mind trying it to avoid all manner of wire hunting...

As always, THANK YOU!!

 

[marragtop]

I suspect you have play in the ignition switch. When you park it, make sure you turn the key all the way off. Make sure the steering locks to ensure this. I think the ding ding you heard was an indication that the ignition was still on.

 

[Laura69]

Fixed - Ignition Switch and...the dog?

I just wanted to post the solution so as to properly close out this thread.

As suspected, the ignition switch had to be replaced. A local friend did it for a reasonable expense (reasonable because I had to mess with the steering column before for the stalk thing and it involved A LOT of cursing).

But he also noted that the wires in the back were shorted out. Wires that used to run to a CD changer. A changer that stopped working at the millenium. Wires that my dear dog appears to have chewed on while passing time in the back.

I'm pretty sure the CD changer is not going to work ever again.

And I'm pretty sure the dog has a healthy fear of cables, now.

Rock on.