Overheating electrics??

[gregUK]

hi there,

Wondering if anyone has come across this before. I have a 98 Ex.

Today, we drove 13 miles to swindon made one stop, got out locked the truck, all ok. Got back in, drove quarter of a mile to another shop, got out but couldnt lock the truck. We had both keyfobs with us and both lighting up but no luck, obviously this killed the immobiliser so we were stuck.

Breakdown man arrives, does lots of electrics tests on fuses, relays etc and says he cant get it going. He gets starter motor going from underneath but will not start. Fair play, he was trying different things for ages. His final comments were that the battery was overcharging and could have shut down the electrics.

We waited for a second vehicle to load a sad Ex and take it home. The new breakdown takes a look and says the relay box under the engine is hot. Half hour later the truck is home and the bloody Ex is working again!!!! the electrics must have cooled and all central locking working great.

From chatting to the 2 different breakdown blokes, one was thinking battery knackered and was drawing too much charge from alternator. The other thought it was the alternator's fault, sending too much charge.

any ideas?? it does seem to be eventually cooking my electrics causing them to shut down, does any of this make sense to anyone??

thanks for reading,
Greg

 

[BIGHVM]

Look the problems you have discribed can be tested at home, you can test the battery charge, the alternator outout, etc with a decent meter.
Have you checked the recall has been done for the speed control wiring- that is live 24 hours and HAS to be done asap if it has not.
If it has not been done- take the wiring off, it un plugs. The ex will still run.
Did you have any warning lights come up?
If you have a code reader or can get one that should reveal the fault.

Check for the recall The cirrect uk part number for the wiring to be changed is-F4767243 (wire assy) and the notice of recall is numbered (5c983).
Call a local fords and tell them to check your Vin number against recalls if you dont have the recent notice.

 

[Howard]

I have another explanation. I assume you have the one button remote. If so it could simply be that you parked right by a cellular radio mast. This swamped the frequency required by the remote and hence it would not work. Some distance away (IE after your ride home) there was no swamping and everything works fine. The trick here (if it happens again) is to press the remote when you are near to the rear nearside of the vehicle. Somewhere near the fuel filler. The remote module is just the other side of the panel.

 

[chrisquelch]

radio mast

hi it sounds like radio mast to me to . it happend to me we towed the car up the road 1/2 mile and it was fine. cheers chris

 

[BIGHVM]

Thats weird, I have never heard of that one guys!
But live and learn- anyway get that recall checked out mate.

 

[kernowman]

Have you checked the recall has been done for the speed control wiring- that is live 24 hours and HAS to be done asap if it has not.

Being fairly new to Explorers, can you give us an idea what this speed control wiring recall is all about? Sounds pretty important

 

[Howard]

Being fairly new to Explorers, can you give us an idea what this speed control wiring recall is all about? Sounds pretty important

They change the switch at the rear of the brake master cylinder and fit a fuse-able link in the wiring loom. Your local dealer should be able to tell if the recall has been done or just look for the extra loom on the brake switch. Recall number is 5C983GB.

 

[peter freeman]

hi richard i had aletter sent to have the speed control deactivation switch changed.There is a chance it can overheat ,smoke or burn.It can happen even if the ex is not being used.They changed a part of the wiring harness and done it while i waited after i contacted them so the could get the part in.Give frauds a ring and explain ,i can send you a copy of the letter if that helps peter

 

[jays1]

i think ime going to go to fords and get mine checked aswell, i have no history so unsure if its been done.

is it something they do for free?

 

[BIGHVM]

All of you get this done as a check at least please?

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

prob explaines why my cruise control doesnt work

 

[rich uk]

I put an in-line fuse in mine ...
At my works offices my remote works inside only, right next to the jack panel

 

[gregUK]

right guys,

thanks for all the replies. not sure on the speed control thing, will have to get that checked.

after further investigation (by an amateur and myself!!), the battery is giving 16.2 volts which means its overcharging. My friend has suggested there is a regulator on the alternator which could be the problem, does this sound like a possibility?? if so, does anyone know if its an internal or external regulator??

just for info, there was no radio mast anywhere near, i know of only one "black-hole" in our area, a car park in Cirencester.

Greg

 

[Howard]

That does seem a little high. The regulator is internal to the alternator. You can't always see the masts these days as they put them all over the place. Even inside those big illuminated signs out side supermarkets.

 

[kernowman]

They change the switch at the rear of the brake master cylinder and fit a fuse-able link in the wiring loom. Your local dealer should be able to tell if the recall has been done or just look for the extra loom on the brake switch. Recall number is 5C983GB.

Howard, could you give us a further idea as to where this fusible link would be - been onto Fords and they say I have no recalls, yet it does not look as if anything has been done. Is it possible they would have only changed the switch?

 

[Howard]

It is possible that your x is not one of the ones being recalled. The fusible link is just an extra piece of loom that they add. You can see where they unplug the original loom from the switch and fit an extra piece. I think this is one of the typical Ford things where they use two suppliers for everything. If your car had one type of switch you had an issue if you had the other type then you were ok. You could always check with Ford UK if you are in any doubt. They should be able to check with the VIN number.

 

[kernowman]

Thanks Howard - seems the probable answer. I don't think I will check with Fords - will trust my local dealer databse - he checked thoroughly and my car was on it, so I assume they are correct.

 

[jays1]

just had ford check the data base for my ex aswell,and she came up all clear,no recalls issued for her,so thats one thing i dont have to worry about.

 

[kernowman]

Worth the effort for peace of mind

 

[gwar]

I inquired about recalls for my vehicle when i bought it and was told there were none. It was only when i took it in for a service that I was told about 2 outstanding. One for the speed control and another for the drivers seat. Still waiting for Ford to get the parts in.
I've also got rid of the factory fit alarm and put a Cobra Bridge 4100 in its place. Audible signal and flashing hazards to show its armed. Also has a car finder function to help locate the vehicle if i cant see it in the car park, thou i think that if i ever need to use it for that purpose i either need to get a pair of glasses or give the keys to somebody else as i'm obviously in no fit state to be behind the wheel of anything larger than a pizza slicer.