Electrical Gremlin

[X6StringerX]

I just realized we don't really have a place that is set aside strictly for electrical problems, but I figured this is the best place since I'll be starting under the hood tomorrow when I try to find the root of my problem. So here it goes...

I haven't previously had any electrical problems with my X until today. I hopped in this morning and flipped the wipers on to rid the windshield of morning dew and nothing happened. I immediately tried the rear wiper and again, nothing happened. I tried to roll my windows down and they wouldn't work either. However, the power locks, mirrors, seats, and all other electrical functions worked. I didn't have time to check fuses, so I saved that until this evening. All fuses in the interior panel and under-the-hood box were fine. I swapped wiper fuses just as a precaution. Still, neither the wipers nor the power windows work. I swapped the wiper park relay and the wiper relay and tried them again. For 2-3 seconds, they wouldn't work and then the started working. I picked up an extra relay at NAPA and swapped it. They wouldn't work again. On the way home, I decided to give it a shot after hitting some rough patches in the road, whatayaknow... they work again. This leads me to believe I have a short somewhere. I don't remember seeing any correlation between wipers and power windows in my manual. What's my next step?

 

[ghosttrain2]

If yu have a short, it would be poping fuses. You have a loose/corroded connection somewhere in the affected circuits. If you plan on keeping your x for any amount of time, you might want to invest in a ford EVTM for your model year ford. I have found them on ebay in book form, or on cd. If you have access to a scan tool, check the gem module for any codes.
Good luck!

 

[X6StringerX]

A loose connection would result in a blown fuse just as a short would, wouldn't it?

 

[ghosttrain2]

a loose conection creates an intermittant open circuit. A short is hot to ground.

 

[fixxxer]

A loose connection would only pop a fuse if it was causing high-current surges, usually a loose or corroded connection will act like an intermittantly open switch. I have the electrical schematics link in my signature.

 

[X6StringerX]

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

Next question.

I've been reading about others that have had this problem. It seems as though the battery saver relay is always suggested, but a new GEM module ends up being the ultimate fix. I haven't paid any attention to interior lights, but those also seem to play a part in this. I'm going to go check those next. Where exactly is the battery saver relay located? According to NAPA, it's the same part # as the relay I picked up yesterday, so I might as well swap it out to eliminate that possiblity since its a non-returnable item anyway.



EDIT: I just verified that neither the dome lights nor the visor mirror lights work.

 

[fixxxer]

The battery saver relay is in the relay module, behind the center of the instrument panel. The relay module holds the Interior lamp relay, dimmer relay, battery saver relay, one-touch down relay, headlamp relay, park lamp relay and accy delay relay.

 

[X6StringerX]

This sounds expensive. By any chance, do you have the part number?

Just to clarify "behind the center of the instrument panel", you mean behind the gauge cluster?

I had the cluster out of my last two Explorers to change some bulbs. I don't remember seeing any relays, but that's been quite a while ago and I wasn't looking for them, lol.

Thanks for all of the help everyone.

Also, I just found this information on another website:


Article No.
98-13-19
07/06/98
^ ELECTRICAL - LOSS OF 4X4 SYSTEM
^ LAMP - 4X4 LAMP ILLUMINATED
^ LAMP - NO INTERIOR LIGHTING
^ MOON ROOF - INTERMITTENT OR LOSS OF POWER
^ REAR WIPER - INTERMITTENT OR LOSS OF POWER
^ WINDOWS - INTERMITTENT OR LOSS OF POWER
LIGHT TRUCK:
1997-98 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to correct the Service Procedure Steps.
ISSUE
A flashing 4X4 lamp and/or a intermittent or loss of:
^ Power windows
^ Interior lights
^ Rear wiper (if equipped)
^ Moon roof (if equipped)
^ 4x4 system (if equipped)
may occur on some vehicles. This may be caused by an intermittent Battery Saver, Accessory Delay or One-Touch-Down Relay operation and possible chafing of vehicle wire harness.
ACTION
Repair the affected circuit, and/or replace the Battery Saver, Accessory Delay, or One-Touch-Down Relay. Refer to the Diagnostic/Service Procedure for details before replacing any components.

 

[X6StringerX]

This thing has a mind of its own.

I went out to the vehicle to get something out of the back a couple hours after verifying that the interior lights weren't working and before moving or even starting the X, the dome light came on as it should when I opened the door. On my way home, I periodically checked the interior lights, windows, and wipers and they all worked each time I tried. I checked at random times and after hitting rough patches in the road. They continued to work the entire time and even still as the X sits in my driveway. As luck would have it though, it started raining when I pulled into my driveway and I don't have the luxury of a garage. I'll have to wait for better weather to pursue the gremlin further. Hopefully it was just a little corrosion that worked itself loose and it won't require any further investigation. Only time will tell...

 

[X6StringerX]

Everything worked perfectly on my morning commute. I'll report back later today.


I checked the functions again prior to moving the vehicle on my way home. They stopped working again. Later, while parked and waiting on my girlfriend, they still didn't work. When she opened the passenger side door to get it, the dome light came on so I tried the functions again... they all work again now, lol.