Complete electrical failure

[aldive]

Tonight I got a phone call from a friend in Atlanta seeking help.

His grandson has a 2000 Explorer ( 4.0 SOHC ) and has in the last few days experienced a complete electrical shutdown.

The first time he wiggled the battery wires and the power returned. However, a day later while at a stop light, the power failed again. As he was trying to open the door to repeat the wire wiggling, the power returned. This has occured randomly several more times.

His grandad, who is not very mechanical, tightened the batter connections and checked for corrosion ( there was none ).

Any suggestions?

 

[dogfriend]

Sounds like the battery cables may be corroded under the insulation. It appears to be a common problem with Explorers. Its definately a bad connection somewhere if wiggling the wires brings it back to life.

The other possibility is a bad battery with a cracked terminal or other internal damage, but I would check those battery cables first.

 

[pdmustgt]

Check the Mega fuse under the hood where the other end of the positive cable goes to.