Dash warning lights all coming on randomly

[lucasred]

dash light alerts

Well I tried having the alternator tested at Autozone. I Was surprised how accessible it is to pull the alternator.
They said it's good.
I suppose their test only accounts for a 3 minute run and may not show an intermittent problem. I'm gonna swap out the battery today. See if that has any affect.
Maybe I should try running a voltmeter to the PCM wire coming directly off the alternator so I can monitor output voltage as I'm driving and as the alerts appear.
Opinions?

 

[lucasred]

Dash light warnings

Well I cleaned all connections on the alternator while I had it off. They all looked fine. They were shiny and had no signs of corrosion. I cleaned them anyway.
I replaced the 2 year old battery with a brand new one.
The last thing I did was swap out the key I'd been using with the spare.
It's been over a month since these changes were made.
So far (fingers crossed, knock on wood) the explorer starts right up and the dash lights have not made an appearance. Of course this 'remission' has happened before. So I guess I'll wait and see. I am pretty sure there were, and maybe still are, 2 problems with two different causes.
Hesitation in start and dash warning lights random flash.

 

[SportsLab]

Any updates on this issue? My 2008 XLT has had same issues as the original poster but without the hesitation on start issue. Had gauge cluster checked, replaced generic electronic module or Smart Junction Box as Ford calls it. No luck. Just drove around to check voltage via OBD port, 13.9-14.3 volts.... got the warning lights but did not see a spike. I will check ground and alternator connections, not real happy about paying Ford $$$$ and still having the issue.

 

[lucasred]

Funny you should ask. My 2008 Eddie Bauer Explorer was fine until one week ago. Same old *$#%@ happening again. I was somewhat happy that my Explorer was error free so long. I'm thinking I may just throw $$$ at the $#%@& and replace the alternator as taking it off and cleaning it had it Not showing errors for so long.
I normally really hate throwing money at a problem. I diagnose and repair on general principle and to save money but I'm tired of seeing this error and once it starts it seems to happen more and more frequently.
So I guess the answer to your question is "NO" I haven't found the problem. At least not definitively.
If anybody else has The Cure, I'd love to hear it.

 

[lucasred]

Any updates on this issue? My 2008 XLT has had same issues as the original poster but without the hesitation on start issue. Had gauge cluster checked, replaced generic electronic module or Smart Junction Box as Ford calls it. No luck. Just drove around to check voltage via OBD port, 13.9-14.3 volts.... got the warning lights but did not see a spike. I will check ground and alternator connections, not real happy about paying Ford $$$$ and still having the issue.

Turns out the start hesitation was due to the key and transponder. I began using the spare key and transponder and no more hesitation upon start. ALL the same problems with warning lights still happening.

 

[lucasred]

Has Anybody heard of a solution to this???

 

[SportsLab]

Has Anybody heard of a solution to this???

I have had the smart junction box replaced at great expense by Ford, twice. Actually only had to pay for it once. I have cleaned and checked the alternator connections, replaced the battery, cleaned ECU plug/connectors with electronic tuner spray cleaner. Seems to help but have still had some random beeps. Fewer and farther in between.... for now. One strange thing I have noticed is my headlight switch and radio knobs do not light up with headlights on. Also no fog lights. May or may not be related.

 

[lucasred]

I have had the smart junction box replaced at great expense by Ford, twice. Actually only had to pay for it once. I have cleaned and checked the alternator connections, replaced the battery, cleaned ECU plug/connectors with electronic tuner spray cleaner. Seems to help but have still had some random beeps. Fewer and farther in between.... for now. One strange thing I have noticed is my headlight switch and radio knobs do not light up with headlights on. Also no fog lights. May or may not be related.

Do you think the ECU itself may be faulting sporadically?

 

[SportsLab]

Do you think the ECU itself may be faulting sporadically?

On mine according to Ford, no. Or at least they couldn't replicate it. I think there must be some sort of voltage drop or spike to effect as many different systems as it does. While as far as I can tell all the actual systems still work, just the warnings go off. I tried data logging through the OBD port to see if I could find a voltage change. Nothing showed up. Don't know how often the refresh rate is or how big of change is needed to set off issue. Mechanic and Ford both tried some sort of re-flash but I seem to remember it being for the ABS system and not the entire ECU.

 

[lucasred]

Thanks for the reply, SportsLab.
I wonder if I could put a second external voltage regulator after the alternator.
I also was thinking that before I tried a secondary regulator, I might put a voltage tester directly off the alternator to watch for spikes/drops. This wouldn't tell me if I had a bad relay that was varying voltage. This would only show me the alternator regulated power entering the system. Might give a me a starting point anyway.
Any other thoughts appreciated.
Thanks.
Jim

 

[matthfam]

Hello all.
I've got a 2008 Explorer Eddie Bauer with 85k. The dash warning lights seem to come on at random times. Sometimes once in two weeks. Sometimes four times a day. Sometimes bright lights icon lit, sometimes not. Sometimes turn signals won't work during this situation. The radio also flutters during these instances. The situation generally lasts less than 30 seconds per occurrence. I researched through Google and found many reports of ignition switch problems causing similar issues, so I replaced my ignition switch. The problem did not happen again for a month. It's back.
I've read of issues like this on earlier explorers and have also read of resolutions from changing out the radio to replacing the accessory delay relay. I searched for location and price of a new accessory delay relay but could only find a multiple function relay. I can't seem to find the accessory delay relay so maybe there isn't one on a 2008 model.
Any thoughts or experience with this issue and it's resolution would be appreciatted

Sometimes it's the ABS sensors on the front wheel hubs. After checking the fuses, I ordered new sensors. By the time they arrived the problem had resolved. I am thinking I accept the suggestion of one Utuber that it could just be dirt on the sensor. He did a power blast with water and resolved his problem. One could remove the sensor and clean it and see if that resolved the problem. Be careful removing them they are easy to break. RM.

 

[matthfam]

Hello all.
I've got a 2008 Explorer Eddie Bauer with 85k. The dash warning lights seem to come on at random times. Sometimes once in two weeks. Sometimes four times a day. Sometimes bright lights icon lit, sometimes not. Sometimes turn signals won't work during this situation. The radio also flutters during these instances. The situation generally lasts less than 30 seconds per occurrence. I researched through Google and found many reports of ignition switch problems causing similar issues, so I replaced my ignition switch. The problem did not happen again for a month. It's back.
I've read of issues like this on earlier explorers and have also read of resolutions from changing out the radio to replacing the accessory delay relay. I searched for location and price of a new accessory delay relay but could only find a multiple function relay. I can't seem to find the accessory delay relay so maybe there isn't one on a 2008 model.
Any thoughts or experience with this issue and it's resolution would be appreciatted

Sometimes it's the ABS sensors on the front wheel hubs. Oddly enough, it seems that many things feed into the computer and are affected by the info from the speed/ABS sensors. I had the same problem. After checking the fuses and finding them good, I ordered new sensors. By the time they arrived the problem had resolved itself. I am thinking I accept the suggestion of one Utuber who said that it could just be dirt on the sensor. He did a power blast with water and resolved his problem. One could remove the sensor and clean it and see if that resolved the problem. Be careful removing them they are easy to break. RM.