Engine will not turn over, no dash lights, nothing. 06 Explorer XLS

[L_turn9]

Look at your battery terminals and cables. Might not be your issue, but worth a look.

I had a problem where I would turn the key, and instantly dead. Shook the positive cable by the battery, and everything back to normal. I had some cheepo replacement terminals, and switched those to full brass ones.

 

[L_turn9]

Thanks - great suggestion - I checked the cables as you suggested and found that I have factory cables with the sealed connectors. So I should be good there. But that reminds me, I need to see how the ground cable connector looks where it attaches to the engine/chassis. All cars are different, I'll take a flashlight and see if I can find it.

Thx again,
Larry

 

[L_turn9]

Hey ya'll, I found and fixed the initial problem thanks to this forum! Turns out my Alternator had a bad Diode in it. Installed a rebuilt alt from AutoZone in 30 min or less and started it right up. Watched it idle for several minutes and declared it fixed. Then, my wife needs to go to the store and she starts it in the driveway and the "Service Engine Soon" light came on (outline of engine), then when she gets to the next stop sign the Wrench Symbol came Powertrain Symbol came on (Outline of Wrench). So she left it in the driveway and took the Tahoe.

WTF is going on? After installing the Alternator we started it and let it idle for several minutes without issue. I'm thinking, Great, we fixed it. Shut it down and came inside. Then my wife had trouble trying to go to the store.

I looked over the engine, the belt is exactly where it belongs, no tools left around, all fasteners in place - nothing out of the ordinary.

The replacement Alternator was from AutoZone - not the least or most expensive - it fit perfectly with the correct bolt bosses and electrical connectors match the old ones perfectly.

The Battery Cable was replaced, clean as it should be. I'm at a loss. Can it be driven like this?

I don't think there was anything that needed to be reset following the Alt. Install was there?

LarryT
2006 Explorer XLT AWD

 

[L_turn9]

Is this what they call "Limp Home Mode?"

 

[L_turn9]

Hi Ya'll, Problem is solved! Took it to AutoZone where they tested the battery/charging/starting systems and said the Alternator has a bad diode. Bought a replacement, installed it and I'm sure the problem is solved.

But now we have another problem. While the engine started and ran great after the alt was installed, when my wife was going to the store the CEL came on, a few minutes later the Wrench appeared, then I believe it went into "Limp Home Mode" where it drove as long as the driving was moderate.
Maybe I knocked a hose loose when I installed the Alternator, I'll check shortly. But for now, I'll start a new thread.
Thanks to all who helped with the previous problem! ;-)