Electrical problems.

[sqhurt]

Well I have a 93 explorer, 4 door, 4x4... Have a few problems here. First off there is a ford alarm on this vehicle. When I use my turn signal (both left an right) they flash faster then normal. When you open the driver door the dome light doesn't come on, but does when you open the other door's.. They lights on the bottom of the don't come on the driver door( need to double check about the others) Don't know if there are lights that supposed come on the cruise controls,driver side window an lock controls or not but if so they don't. Also the 4x4 button doesn't light up or work ( have tried 4 different ones an one that came right out another 93 an lights worked) Was wondering if there is a relay or something that controlled these problems that might be bad cause all the fuses I have checked are fine.. One more thing is it seems as when the truck is off an my cell phone goes off (its a nextel) the parking lights flash for a min or so.. Thanks for any help or suggestions in advanced!!!

 

[Toast]

Whoaa, Alright, I'll just throw some ideas, im no expert yet, But worth looking up on these

For the signal light going fast. Possible dying bulbs. Or Your MFS(Multifunction Switch)

The dome light. Is the switch inside the drivers door jamed in?
I think it should be a simple cylinder that just slides into a hole. Might be jammed in it

Not sure about the door lights, Possible a fuse?

Cruise control light bulb dead? or fuse again?

For the 4x4, Could it be the actual dash panel light burnt out?

And the cell phone thing. Thats Badass. No idea on that lol

 

[sqhurt]

Whoaa, Alright, I'll just throw some ideas, im no expert yet, But worth looking up on these

For the signal light going fast. Possible dying bulbs. Or Your MFS(Multifunction Switch)

The dome light. Is the switch inside the drivers door jamed in?
I think it should be a simple cylinder that just slides into a hole. Might be jammed in it

Not sure about the door lights, Possible a fuse?

Cruise control light bulb dead? or fuse again?

For the 4x4, Could it be the actual dash panel light burnt out?

And the cell phone thing. Thats Badass. No idea on that lol

Hey Toast Thanks..

As for the cylinder I'll have to check that an get back to ya.

Cruise, if the fuse is in the fuse panel then its fine a possible the lights themselves.

4x4, its not the light on the dash its the lights on the 4x4 button its self.. Does not light up, And no clicking noise coming from the back.. Rebuilt the shift motor . Hooked it up to a 12 volt source it worked. The 4x4 module passed the test flashing 4 times an stopping.

If you have a Nextel then ya would understand Lol... It will make sounds threw speakers when going off.. If I sat it close enough to my outlet in the house that has the reset switch on it, it will pop it an have to reset it..

Just was not sure if they was all tied into somewhere that would cause em all to act up..I think the alarm itself is junk an messing some things up.. Can someone just take it out an hook all the wires back to each other, without any problems happening? I also forgot to add that I replaced the ignition lock cylinder, cause you could turn it with the key in. Before that an eve now, you can roll windows up when key is out an not running, have to take the face plate off the cd player to have it shut off (unless it will be on an play all night long)

Oh forgot this one.. When you have the front windshield wipers on you get a decent loud clicking noise every time they engage. Sounds like its coming from under the dash

 

[DeRocha]

See the 4x4 Troubleshooting guide for info on diagnosing 4x4 issues (it is rarely the switch).

1st gen's (91-94) don't have cruise control lights, or lights on the window/lock switches . Often times an alarm installer will tap into the driver's side door pin to use the dome light as a trigger. Did you check to see if the alarm goes off with each door is opened? The nextel thing sounds like RF interference being picked up by the alarm and causing the weird behavior. My Nokia does that to radios or speaker phones when it gets too close..

For the wipers you need to check under the hood for a loose wiper motor connection.

 

[sqhurt]

See the 4x4 Troubleshooting guide for info on diagnosing 4x4 issues (it is rarely the switch).

1st gen's (91-94) don't have cruise control lights, or lights on the window/lock switches . Often times an alarm installer will tap into the driver's side door pin to use the dome light as a trigger. Did you check to see if the alarm goes off with each door is opened? The nextel thing sounds like RF interference being picked up by the alarm and causing the weird behavior. My Nokia does that to radios or speaker phones when it gets too close..

Thanks DeRocha.. I checked that guide out alot, the 4x4 module past the test an the motor worked after reuild but nothing to the 4x4 button itself... even took one out my other 93 that worked an lights up an nothing.. An with the alarm it has not went off since I have had it( which is good cause I don't have a pad for the alarm)...

 

[little x]

There are only 4 components in the 4x4 system to engage/disengage:
1: the switch. You know it is good because you pulled one from a working system.
2: the motor. You know this is good because you rebuilt it and tested it.
3: the 4x4 computer. Located in the bed, on the driver's side, just underneath the window.
4: the wiring.

So it's either # 3 or 4.


You should be able to just disconnect the alarm. The easiest way would be to cut all wires close to where they enter the control box and just cover all the ends with electrical tape and leave the wiring harness in the truck. But I'm not an expert, and that may leave you stranded with a car that won't start at all. So wait for someone else to chime in on that one.


The windows and radio still working after the truck is turned off makes it sound like your ignition switch is messed up and is not turning off the accessories. This isn't good. Leaving the acc. switch on all the time will prematurely kill the battery, and it will drain the battery more quickly if the truck sits for a while. Search for a thread I made on how to install a switch ignition and push button starter. That will show you where the ignition switch is, and how to replace it. Or, if you wanted to save some cash and not replace the ignition switch you could install a toggle switch in the acc. wire, so that you need to turn that one switch on/off when you start/stop the truck.

 

[sqhurt]

There are only 4 components in the 4x4 system to engage/disengage:
1: the switch. You know it is good because you pulled one from a working system.
2: the motor. You know this is good because you rebuilt it and tested it.
3: the 4x4 computer. Located in the bed, on the driver's side, just underneath the window.
4: the wiring.

So it's either # 3 or 4.


You should be able to just disconnect the alarm. The easiest way would be to cut all wires close to where they enter the control box and just cover all the ends with electrical tape and leave the wiring harness in the truck. But I'm not an expert, and that may leave you stranded with a car that won't start at all. So wait for someone else to chime in on that one.


The windows and radio still working after the truck is turned off makes it sound like your ignition switch is messed up and is not turning off the accessories. This isn't good. Leaving the acc. switch on all the time will prematurely kill the battery, and it will drain the battery more quickly if the truck sits for a while. Search for a thread I made on how to install a switch ignition and push button starter. That will show you where the ignition switch is, and how to replace it. Or, if you wanted to save some cash and not replace the ignition switch you could install a toggle switch in the acc. wire, so that you need to turn that one switch on/off when you start/stop the truck.

Thanks man... the 4x4 module past the self test so has to be int he wiring somewhere.. I second you on the alarm thing before I do something like that an be screwed lol... I just replaced the ignition lock/tumbler... now that lil wire that goes there do you put it in first then slide the lock in? Or are you supposed to slide the lock in some put the wire an clip back on then slide in all the way? When I took the old one out it was underneath it as if the slide the clip on then then lock itself...

 

[sqhurt]

Sorry couldn't find anything on this .. I toke the 4x4 button out the dash an unplugged it an test the wires inside the connector with the key "On"... This is what I got from it..

White/Baby Blue stripe = 4-8 volts
Brown/White stripe = 12 volts
Grey = 12 volts
Red/Yellow stripe = 12 volts

The others had no reading. All I have at the moment is a tester that has few lights on it with the volt under each light. Is this correct voltage for the wires? And are them the only wires that have voltage to them with key on?

 

[sqhurt]

K is there any other input on the car alarm? Can I just cut all the wires going to it an be k?

 

[little x]

Since no one else is jumping in, I would label all the wires and cut them. Then, if it doesn't start they are all labeled and can be reconnected.

 

[sqhurt]

Since no one else is jumping in, I would label all the wires and cut them. Then, if it doesn't start they are all labeled and can be reconnected.

K thanks little x.. Was just lil nervous in case something would happen after I cut em.. But I think I'll just do that an see what happens then, once again thanks for your reply