Odd electrical issues

[jasonPA]

I've been experiencing various electric annoyances in my 97 Limited. Hopefully someone can help. It all started a few weeks ago. After driving into town, about a mile, without a problem, I turned the truck off, went into a store for 5 minutes, came out, and bam, my truck wouldn't start. I knew it was electrical, as I had no lights, nothing. The battery wouldn't take a jump, so I replaced it. I've had batteries die before in other cars, but after I've left interior lights on overnight, etc. I've never had one just die like this. Everything was fine for a week and then one day the keyless entry wouldn't work. A day passed and then it magically began working again. A few days later, the remote would unlock all the doors except the driver's. A day passed and then that too magically began working again. Presently, the issue is that the power "unlock" button on the driver's side won't work, yet the power "lock" button will. The freakiest thing is this one though: Last night, I stepped outside to the driveway for a cigarette, and watched as my Explorer's interor lights came on all on their own, and then shut off all on their own.

Is my Explorer possessed? Short of a vehicular exorcism, what should I do?
Any advice is appreciated!

 

[FreeWheelin4x4]

I can't offer much help but I enjoy the quote

Is my Explorer possessed? Short of a vehicular exorcism, what should I do?

I'm almost thinking a ground problem, or relays acting up. I'm not good with electrical systems but that's where I'd start.

 

[MONMIX]

clean your battery terminals and posts.

 

[jasonPA]

clean your battery terminals and posts.

Thanks for the reply but I cleaned the terminals when I replaced the battery, and well, the posts are "cleaner than clean can be" as it's a new battery...

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[mrdakota]

I'd too have to say that you have a corupted power connection. But its tied with a major component like the engine compartment fuse box or maybe the other end of the cables that you new battery is connected to.

 

[budwich]

You need to do more trouble shooting when you have a hard fault.... like the door won't unlock. Check for voltages at the door going to the unlock mechanism when you do the "unlock". There is only one lock and one unlock relay (in the rear panel on the driver's side).... so when they operate, they operate to all doors. There is a likelihood of a broken wire thru the door post or at the activator.

Similarly, you noticed that your "interior lights came on by chance"..... hmmm sounds like your source for that "dying battery".... maybe.