Electrical problem

[DeadManGonzo]

Hello all,
Trying to troubleshoot an issue I have been having and I am at the point I could use some advice. I have a 2006 Explorer 4.0l 4x4 xlt. The problem started a week or so ago, while driving I noticed the airbag warning light would come on for a couple seconds and then go off and that was that. Then I started noticing the A/C blower would surge a bit at times (sometimes in conjunction with air bag light coming on).. this was occurring maybe once a day or two, however, yesterday the issue began to get worse. Now randomly I get the blower surge, airbag warning, passenger airbag disable, check charging system, 4x4 light, traction control light, dimming of instrument cluster lighting/center console lights(air control backlight). These all occur in a random combination for a second or two and then it will be fine for 5 minutes or 30 minutes or whatever. I cleaned the battery terminals and cables, checked the battery voltage (12.68 volts), made sure fuses/relays were seated, did a voltage drop test on both the pos and neg side with no issues noted.

The alternator was putting out 13.89v which from what I know should be fine, however with no other ideas I decided to make my way to purchase a new alternator. On the way there I lost all power to the instrument cluster (tach and speedo died) along with the radio and a/c blower (only time this has occurred). The car continued to drive fine and returned to normal with 30 seconds. I got the new alternator(refurb) and serpentine belt installed and unfortunately I believe the new alternator to be bad as I a got a check charging system and only 12.3v out of it.

So after all that I put the old alternator back on and now I am back to getting 13.89v with the original issues still occurring. I did start to notice what sounds like relay clicking before the warning lights start coming on and tonight I sat in the driveway with the lights on to see they dimmed when the wackiness happens (they don't). So now I am wondering there is a relay that provides power to the instrument cluster / center console that could be the issue? I also thought maybe a wire under the passenger seat was shorting out or something as airbag warning or disabled light seem to be common occurrence. I didn't see anything obvious under there and jiggling the wires around did induce the issue.

Needless to say I am at a loss. Maybe the voltage regulator? Can I pull the one off the bad new alternator and place on the original or do I need to go try another whole new alternator? Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Flag Gibby]

The voltage regulators are internal on these alternators so a new alternator would have to be purchased. If I remember correctly the output on the alternator should be around 14.5v on a brand new alternator.

 

[chrisnin]

Hello all,
Trying to troubleshoot an issue I have been having and I am at the point I could use some advice. I have a 2006 Explorer 4.0l 4x4 xlt. The problem started a week or so ago, while driving I noticed the airbag warning light would come on for a couple seconds and then go off and that was that. Then I started noticing the A/C blower would surge a bit at times (sometimes in conjunction with air bag light coming on).. this was occurring maybe once a day or two, however, yesterday the issue began to get worse. Now randomly I get the blower surge, airbag warning, passenger airbag disable, check charging system, 4x4 light, traction control light, dimming of instrument cluster lighting/center console lights(air control backlight). These all occur in a random combination for a second or two and then it will be fine for 5 minutes or 30 minutes or whatever. I cleaned the battery terminals and cables, checked the battery voltage (12.68 volts), made sure fuses/relays were seated, did a voltage drop test on both the pos and neg side with no issues noted.

The alternator was putting out 13.89v which from what I know should be fine, however with no other ideas I decided to make my way to purchase a new alternator. On the way there I lost all power to the instrument cluster (tach and speedo died) along with the radio and a/c blower (only time this has occurred). The car continued to drive fine and returned to normal with 30 seconds. I got the new alternator(refurb) and serpentine belt installed and unfortunately I believe the new alternator to be bad as I a got a check charging system and only 12.3v out of it.

So after all that I put the old alternator back on and now I am back to getting 13.89v with the original issues still occurring. I did start to notice what sounds like relay clicking before the warning lights start coming on and tonight I sat in the driveway with the lights on to see they dimmed when the wackiness happens (they don't). So now I am wondering there is a relay that provides power to the instrument cluster / center console that could be the issue? I also thought maybe a wire under the passenger seat was shorting out or something as airbag warning or disabled light seem to be common occurrence. I didn't see anything obvious under there and jiggling the wires around did induce the issue.

Needless to say I am at a loss. Maybe the voltage regulator? Can I pull the one off the bad new alternator and place on the original or do I need to go try another whole new alternator? Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chrisnin]

Hi, I'm having the same issues in my 2004 xlt that you had... all kinds of warning lights going on and off, blower surging, gauges flipping around and then going out completely, the radio dying, and then the battery dies. Replaced battery and alternator, now battery light is remaining on. Did you ever figure out the electrical gremlin that caused your issues???