intermittent dead battery and starting symptoms

[HiImTodd]

My 2015 Explorer XLT 6 cyl. 4wd has been having issues with starting the past couple months. It will start with a jump and then if the weather is hot or if the interior gets hot it won't start and the windows won't even go down and the radio screen starts synching randomly and only clicks when you turn the key. A few hours later without touching anything and it sits in the shade it starts right up. I replaced the ignition switch and the starter relay in the fuse box under hood. Nothing helped. My battery reads 15.2 volts and the connections are tight and no corrosion. Is there a sensor sticking maybe? I have a hard time believing it's the starter because of the other battery issues and the re synching on the dashboard. Anybody smart enough to figure it out from their chair would be appreciated. Thanks, HiImTodd

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
In your other post you mentioned that you didn't know where the starter was. I found the following that may help;

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj3yNratKf_AhVMFlkFHcxVBQYQwqsBegQICRAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpUcgoDKfXx8&usg=AOvVaw2lY8KkarfH9lt9E32DN0Wu

How old is the battery? Not being a mechanic, I would think that if the vehicle starts with a jump, then I would think that it could be a battery related. Do you have a battery charger?

Peter

 

[HiImTodd]

Welcome to the Forum.
In your other post you mentioned that you didn't know where the starter was. I found the following that may help;

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj3yNratKf_AhVMFlkFHcxVBQYQwqsBegQICRAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpUcgoDKfXx8&usg=AOvVaw2lY8KkarfH9lt9E32DN0Wu

How old is the battery? Not being a mechanic, I would think that if the vehicle starts with a jump, then I would think that it could be a battery related. Do you have a battery charger?

Peter

Not the battery. The charger says it's 97% charged when I plug it in and the battery reads 15.2 volts. It sits in the shade and miraculously starts hours later after acting dead. Why won't the windows work or the locks if it's charged that much? It starts later after it sits a while like nothing was wrong. This is totally intermittent but seems like it has to be cool in the interior for it to start again. Maybe something is sticking.

 

[peterk9]

You said it will start with a jump, that's why I thought perhaps it was battery related. Will it start with a jump under the conditions you mentioned in which it would not start? Do you have a moonroof or power liftgate? If so, do they work? Does the radio work? Headlights?
Locks and windows may not be getting power. The 15.2 volt reading with the engine OFF may be a bit high.
"With the engine off, the fully charged car battery voltage will measure 12.6 volts. This is known as “resting voltage.” When the engine is running, battery voltage will typically rise to 13.5 to 14.5 volts. The battery is boosted to these higher levels by the alternator."

Google

Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for.

www.google.com

http://q=what+should+a+good+car+bat...i390i650l4.14375j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Peter

 

[HiImTodd]

You said it will start with a jump, that's why I thought perhaps it was battery related. Will it start with a jump under the conditions you mentioned in which it would not start? Do you have a moonroof or power liftgate? If so, do they work? Does the radio work? Headlights?
Locks and windows may not be getting power. The 15.2 volt reading with the engine OFF may be a bit high.
"With the engine off, the fully charged car battery voltage will measure 12.6 volts. This is known as “resting voltage.” When the engine is running, battery voltage will typically rise to 13.5 to 14.5 volts. The battery is boosted to these higher levels by the alternator."

Google

Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for.

www.google.com

http://q=what+should+a+good+car+bat...i390i650l4.14375j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Peter

Thanks, I just took the cables off and noticed some corrosion under the positive clamp and on the terminal. I cleaned it so maybe that was it. We'll see. I should have taken them off instead of just looking at it. Just because it's shiny and clean all around doesn't mean it is underneath. Lesson learned.

 

[peterk9]

Thanks, I just took the cables off and noticed some corrosion under the positive clamp and on the terminal. I cleaned it so maybe that was it. We'll see. I should have taken them off instead of just looking at it. Just because it's shiny and clean all around doesn't mean it is underneath. Lesson learned.

That has been a reported problem. I guess it's not as bad as this one though; Corroded Battery Terminal / Cable
I don't know if that is the issue but it is good to get it cleaned up anyway. Good luck.

Peter

 

[HiImTodd]

That has been a reported problem. I guess it's not as bad as this one though; Corroded Battery Terminal / Cable
I don't know if that is the issue but it is good to get it cleaned up anyway. Good luck.

Peter

I ran to autozone and had them plug it in. Everything is normal including the battery but the guy told me to look at the small wire connection of the motor starter. He has seen those get corroded and loose before. I don't believe the starter was the issue. I think I had a bad battery connection on the positive side. It had a hidden corrosion ring on the post in line with the connecter. I cleaned both connecters and posts with a fitting brush.

 

[HiImTodd]

I ran to autozone and had them plug it in. Everything is normal including the battery but the guy told me to look at the small wire connection of the motor starter. He has seen those get corroded and loose before. I don't believe the starter was the issue. I think I had a bad battery connection on the positive side. It had a hidden corrosion ring on the post in line with the connecter. I cleaned both connecters and posts with a fitting brush.

That photo is insane!

 

[HiImTodd]

Bad news! It still does it. Yesterday my wife got stranded and I had to jump start her. I got it home and it wouldn't start back up. I waited an hour and tried again and it started right up. I shut it off and tried again and nothing. Not even a click. I tried again and fast clicking which continued for a second after I turned the key back off. I had my son turn the key and I swear I heard arcing noise coming from under the fuse panel by the battery. Now what?

 

[peterk9]

Unless some other members have a suggestion, perhaps it's time to take it to the dealership or an independent garage to have it checked out.

Peter

 

[HiImTodd]

Unless some other members have a suggestion, perhaps it's time to take it to the dealership or an independent garage to have it checked out.

Peter

I took it to autozone Friday and everything was good. Battery was good and no codes.

 

[peterk9]

I took it to autozone Friday and everything was good. Battery was good and no codes.

So much for "everything was good". Intermittent problems are the hardest to track down if the event isn't happening when diagnostics are being done.

Peter

 

[Turdle]

It's the battery.

 

[Odrapnew]

I agree it sounds like the battery. Heat will kill a battery....probably just as quick as cold.
How old is the battery?

When mine died, it happened on a hot day (~90F).
Started and drove fine in the morning, went to leave from work and nothing. I had to use the physical key to open the door.
Mine wouldn't even jump start.
New battery fixed the issue and has been fine since. My battery lasted just over 9 years and ~80k miles.

 

[Explorer.xlt.12]

Bad news! It still does it. Yesterday my wife got stranded and I had to jump start her. I got it home and it wouldn't start back up. I waited an hour and tried again and it started right up. I shut it off and tried again and nothing. Not even a click. I tried again and fast clicking which continued for a second after I turned the key back off. I had my son turn the key and I swear I heard arcing noise coming from under the fuse panel by the battery. Now what?

You need to check fuse and relay with electrical technician