Electrical Issues - Relay(s) Clicking On & Off

[Kamaaina]

Hello everyone. I have a weird problem that I hope somebody out there can help me solve. First off my Explorer is a 1996 XLT with the 4.0 OHV engine, bone stock & 78K miles. When I first get into the truck and I turn the key to ON there's a relay clicking on & off under the dash that lasts for about 5 seconds, then stops. After I start the truck it clicks on & off again for another 5 seconds then stops. After that it runs normal with no faults. After the truck is warmed up and I make several separate trips during the day it doesn't do it again until I park it overnight. I did notice that when the relay is clicking the interior lights flash on & off in time with the relay. Another problem is the driver's power window. It will go down normally but will stop & go going up, I can hear a relay clicking on & off under the dash as this is happening (don't know if it's the same relay as the first problem). If I hold the window switch in the UP position it will stop & go and then quit all together. After about 30 seconds I hear a click under the dash and the window works again. Is there some kind of circuit breaker that controls the window? It sure acts like a breaker is tripping and then resetting. I checked the electrical manual but couldn't find any breakers anywhere. I don't think it's the relay as if it was defective it wouldn't be clicking, something is causing it to go on & off. Just wondering if my two problems are related. I could sure use some help in solving this problem before something gets fried. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks all!

 

[koda2000]

There are 3 relays located over the gas pedal. Figure out (by touching each one while you hear the clicking) which one is clicking. It could just be it's a faulty relay. Just pull it out and plug in a new one. You can swap it with a similar relay from under the hood to test it.

 

[Brandon Treu]

Hello everyone. I have a weird problem that I hope somebody out there can help me solve. First off my Explorer is a 1996 XLT with the 4.0 OHV engine, bone stock & 78K miles. When I first get into the truck and I turn the key to ON there's a relay clicking on & off under the dash that lasts for about 5 seconds, then stops. After I start the truck it clicks on & off again for another 5 seconds then stops. After that it runs normal with no faults. After the truck is warmed up and I make several separate trips during the day it doesn't do it again until I park it overnight. I did notice that when the relay is clicking the interior lights flash on & off in time with the relay. Another problem is the driver's power window. It will go down normally but will stop & go going up, I can hear a relay clicking on & off under the dash as this is happening (don't know if it's the same relay as the first problem). If I hold the window switch in the UP position it will stop & go and then quit all together. After about 30 seconds I hear a click under the dash and the window works again. Is there some kind of circuit breaker that controls the window? It sure acts like a breaker is tripping and then resetting. I checked the electrical manual but couldn't find any breakers anywhere. I don't think it's the relay as if it was defective it wouldn't be clicking, something is causing it to go on & off. Just wondering if my two problems are related. I could sure use some help in solving this problem before something gets fried. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks all!

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Hello everyone. I have a weird problem that I hope somebody out there can help me solve. First off my Explorer is a 1996 XLT with the 4.0 OHV engine, bone stock & 78K miles. When I first get into the truck and I turn the key to ON there's a relay clicking on & off under the dash that lasts for about 5 seconds, then stops. After I start the truck it clicks on & off again for another 5 seconds then stops. After that it runs normal with no faults. After the truck is warmed up and I make several separate trips during the day it doesn't do it again until I park it overnight. I did notice that when the relay is clicking the interior lights flash on & off in time with the relay. Another problem is the driver's power window. It will go down normally but will stop & go going up, I can hear a relay clicking on & off under the dash as this is happening (don't know if it's the same relay as the first problem). If I hold the window switch in the UP position it will stop & go and then quit all together. After about 30 seconds I hear a click under the dash and the window works again. Is there some kind of circuit breaker that controls the window? It sure acts like a breaker is tripping and then resetting. I checked the electrical manual but couldn't find any breakers anywhere. I don't think it's the relay as if it was defective it wouldn't be clicking, something is causing it to go on & off. Just wondering if my two problems are related. I could sure use some help in solving this problem before something gets fried. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks all!

Did you figure this out? I'm having the same exact problems out of my 1997 explorer with the 5.0. I've figured out that the clicking is coming from the "One touch Relay." Its gotten to the point where its non stop clicking so I just pull the relay and deal with my windows not working. I've already tried a new relay and had the same outcome.

 

[J_C]

^ If you still have the new relay I'd put it in just to start with new parts, then see if the non-stop clicking stops (during) if you open and close the door a few times, in case some wiring in the door hinge boot is shorting out.

Otherwise I'd take the armrest off the door and unplug the switch panel to see if that stops it from clicking and wiggle the driver's window switch a bit while checking with a multimeter to see if it's making intermittent contact (without being pressed down) so needs replaced. Here is a diagram of the back of that master switch panel.
There's also wiring diagrams linked in my sig below including one for the window circuit, which you could trace with a multimeter to see where power is present when it shouldn't be, thus triggering the relay.

 

[Brandon Treu]

^ If you still have the new relay I'd put it in just to start with new parts, then see if the non-stop clicking stops (during) if you open and close the door a few times, in case some wiring in the door hinge boot is shorting out.

Otherwise I'd take the armrest off the door and unplug the switch panel to see if that stops it from clicking and wiggle the driver's window switch a bit while checking with a multimeter to see if it's making intermittent contact (without being pressed down) so needs replaced. Here is a diagram of the back of that master switch panel.
There's also wiring diagrams linked in my sig below including one for the window circuit, which you could trace with a multimeter to see where power is present when it shouldn't be, thus triggering the relay.

View attachment 326018

I ended up getting a new GEM module. It fixed everything that was wrong. Kept the old one just for extra measures.

 

[J_C]

Thanks for the update!