No Electrical Power - new battery, batt cables

[jpeezy25]

Hey all, want to say thanks first for maintaining this forum - I've been trying to fix my DD for a few weeks to no avail but I'm getting all my info from here so it's extremely helpful.

Here's my problem: 1994 Ford Explorer EB, no power whatsoever. Battery test ok, 12.8V going to starter solenoid (on fender), 12.8V going to alternator, and I can jumper the starter into motion across the solenoid with KOEO but there's no power at all otherwise.

No interior lights, no CEL, nothing happens when you turn the key. Fully replaced negative and positive battery cables, nothing. Replaced starter solenoid, nothing. Checked every single fuse in the car, no blown fuses.

Any ideas?

The only thing I can think is the PDB is not getting power via the solenoid (bad cable?) or the ignition switch on the steering column is bad.

Side note: we were having electrical problems before the car stopped running, the stereo would go out when you turned the blinkers on and sometimes the headlights would go on and off while driving.

 

[Bruces expo]

Well This sounds Like a Problem I had , My Connector On the Steering column For the Ignition Switch Came loose from its Factory hold downs , This Connector Is Hard to Get to But Easily Fixed With Some Zip Ties ! , You will need to Basically Lay down in the Seat upside down with your head and Hands under the column , Your going to feel Around for Wires and a Square connector On Top of the Column itself , You should be able to notice Its not in Place, Once you Put it back in place before Any Zip Ties are used You will want to Check the Ignition switch for Function , Then you figured out the Problem And Zip tie it into place , The Tabs that hold it on break easily , So the Zip ties Seem to work better than Factory , Hope this is the problem As Mine did this While driving after Hitting a Big Pothole in the snow .

 

[arco777]

Might want to invest in a multimeter (~$20) and start finding where power is and isn't getting to.

Another place to check is the main bulkhead connection. It is low on the drivers side firewall and is a round connector that has a ton of connections. If this has come loose it could mean power in the engine bay but no connection to the cab. Look for corrosion.

 

[jpeezy25]

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up replacing the ignition switch on the steering column, which sucked because I had to take the entire dash apart. Then I realized I had switched the positive cables going from the battery to the starter solenoid so the PDB had no power either. Also ended up having to replace the alternator, which I think originated this whole problem. Just wanted to make sure I posted my fix here. Thanks all!

 

[Chapa133]

My battery was dead on my 02 explorer so I had it changed but the people at advanced kept connecting the positive post and then took it off about 3 times. Now the radio dos not work the interior lights don't work and the windows don't work, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dixie Girl]

HELP! My 1994 Ford Explorer (NOT a 4x4), manual with 129,300 miles has had the transmission replaced, cat converter and fuel filter replaced. The fuel pressure test reflects no problem with the fuel pump (hold 38). The fuel relay switch is fine. 35-40 is the range. But when I crank it and put it into gear, the engine shuts off. If I put on the A/C the engine shuts off.

PLEASE ... any advice, I'm so tired of mechanics not knowing what the issue/problem is. Thanks in advance for anything that may work.

 

[Bobmbx]

HELP! My 1994 Ford Explorer (NOT a 4x4), manual with 129,300 miles has had the transmission replaced, cat converter and fuel filter replaced. The fuel pressure test reflects no problem with the fuel pump (hold 38). The fuel relay switch is fine. 35-40 is the range. But when I crank it and put it into gear, the engine shuts off. If I put on the A/C the engine shuts off.

PLEASE ... any advice, I'm so tired of mechanics not knowing what the issue/problem is. Thanks in advance for anything that may work.

When its running, does it run fine? Throttle response is ok, idle is smooth, etc?

When it quits when you put it in gear, when exactly does it quit? Pushing the clutch in, putting it in gear, letting the clutch out, after the clutch engages, etc?

 

[Dixie Girl]

Since last night, I had the Idle Air Control Valve and the DPFE sensor replaced. The Explorer ran fine (did not have air conditioner on). This morning I get in it and its running fine UNTIL I put the air conditioner on and it starts stalling and engine goes off. I turn off the a/c and it started stalling when I was in a gear (either reverse or first).

Thank you for trying to help me.

Dixie Girl in Nashville

 

[Bobmbx]

Since last night, I had the Idle Air Control Valve and the DPFE sensor replaced. The Explorer ran fine (did not have air conditioner on). This morning I get in it and its running fine UNTIL I put the air conditioner on and it starts stalling and engine goes off. I turn off the a/c and it started stalling when I was in a gear (either reverse or first).

Thank you for trying to help me.

Dixie Girl in Nashville

Can you read the OBD codes and list them here?

 

[swshawaii]

^

How To: Pull Trouble Codes on a 1st Gen Explorer (paperclip method)
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255962

Brooklynbay's list of OBD I CEL codes! (EEC-IV 2 and 3 digit trouble codes)
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160035

 

[xplorernewb]

Since last night, I had the Idle Air Control Valve and the DPFE sensor replaced. The Explorer ran fine (did not have air conditioner on). This morning I get in it and its running fine UNTIL I put the air conditioner on and it starts stalling and engine goes off. I turn off the a/c and it started stalling when I was in a gear (either reverse or first).

Thank you for trying to help me.

Dixie Girl in Nashville

what happens when you put the defrost on? if i understand correctly, the defrost works off of the a/c pump...