Complete electrical failure

[Hairtornout]

I have a 95 explorer that has had ongoing electrical gremlins but this one has me stumped. Had issues with interior lights not going out - removed the bulbs. One of the headlights failed - turned out to be the switch. I've just replaced the alternator after it was dying on me and the turn signal swithch as we thought that was the cause of the current problem.

For a while now when I shut it down the headlights remain on for 10 sec to a minute before turning off. Recently, I'd turn off the key, the motor will stop but everuything else stays on and then it shuts down with much electrical crackling. It will not start after that, the entire electrical system is dead but it will mysteriously fire up again after 10 min or two hours or overnight as though nothing has happened.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[dean63]

Electrical problems are a tear jerker to troubleshoot. You mentioned that the alternator had been changed recently, one avenue I would possibly check would be to make sure there are no abraded wires on the alternator or battery cables rubbing on metal parts. May want to check for corroded terminals at the fuse boxes in the cab and under the hood....more so under the hood. I believe there is a terminal at the under hood fuse box for your main fuse panel located under the dash.