Mysterious electrical / transmission symptoms.

[tommyriggs]

HI : I have a problem I am hoping someone here would have some ideas on ;
1996 explorer suv : 4.5 liter v8 : 245 cui;
a few days After replacing a fuel pump and an alternator as my mother was pulling out of a parking lot all the electrical systems failed and the tranmission just stopped pulling :without any warning whatsoever ! The truck was still running fine as far as the motor but would not move in any gear , also all the blinkers, flashers, lights etc. ceased to function.

any ideas ;
thanks in advance ;
This is my mothers truck and she is on disability and uses it to get back and forth to the doctors. I am no mechanic but this sounds like something other than just a simple case of a tranmission failure.
thanks again for any help[
tommyriggs
riggsbiz@verizon.net

 

[2000StreetRod]

battery connections

For starters try cleaning and then tightening the connections to the battery posts. Then check the main battery to chassis ground connection.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section.

 

[tommyriggs]

thanks for the info : i will call down to tennessee and make sure this is the first thing that is checked :

If this proves not to be the issue : what next :
As I mentioned the alternator and fule pump just had to be replaced ; until now this vehicle has been problem free ; could all these things going wrong at once be a sign of an underlying problem elsewhere : the computer maybe ??

the truck is driven taintively by a disabled lady so misuse is not an issue here ;

I will try the battery post and ground as you instructed : is it possible that when the alternator was installed that something was not done right there (regarding electrical connections) that would cause these problems but still allow the truck to start and idle ?

thanks again for your input
triggs

 

[2000StreetRod]

which engine?

For more detailed analysis it would be helpful to know which engine is in the vehicle. In 1996 engines available were a 4.0L OHV V6 and a 5.0L V8.

Safe practice involves disconnecting the negative battery terminal connection when replacing the fuel pump or the alternator. Obviously, since the engine started after the replacements the battery was reconnected. If the alternator is defective the Battery indicator on the instrument panel would point to "L". One possibility is the serpentine belt was not installed correctly and came loose after engine start. However, the electrical system should continue to function from the battery power. When the voltage of the electrical system drops low unpredictable things happen.

While the PCM controls the transmission shift solenoids it has no direct control of the lights.

 

[tommyriggs]

this truck has the 4.0 liter v.6 -245 cubic inch I believe..
The alternator is a brand new oem product as well as the fule pump .. I have spoken to my mother this morning and she said that she seen a very nasty battery terminal herself.. the person trying to work on it for her is not very dependable or trustworthy so I am trying to trouble shoot and advise from 16000 miles away.. So I imaging this is going to be a slow process. .

I do sicnerley appreciate your help wiht this matter. . I have some mechanical abilities but this is beyond my scope up until this point.. however being a home computer technician I can see where an improper voltage flow could reak havoc with components that are controlled by a primary computer .

Thanks again for your time and input.
triggs