Really confusing Electrical Problems

[ld50]

That is a good point, I had a starter bench tested and was told it worked fine, it just didn`t want to work fine in the Ex. SO bench testing does not catch intermittent problems well and is not in itself a final diagnosis of a problem.

 

[stephan325i]

Slacking on my part seemed to have helped!

So i have not worked on my explorer all winter. But given the Great weather latley i am buying all new parts to work on it this coming weekend.

Water pump, trans filter and gasket, thermostat.


I did not get around to testing any kind of drain or such, i did not have the time. So i just purchased a battery disconnect and just did that when ever i had to leave my truck for the night. But now that it is spring its time to test away. I have a meter on the way and i will follow all the instructions you all have given me. ESPECIALLY the one on the alternator/voltage regulator. I noticed my volt meter in my dash jumps around with rpms. So maybe its that.

So just to make sure there are no more ideas...

1) Voltage regulator test.
2)all other drain possibilitys by pulling fuses one by one.
3)terminal ends
4)this i might need some advice on. The fuel pump relay.... I have tried disconnecting the battery and then listening as i connected it again and all the other methods, with no sucess. Any other hints on how to test this?


Thanks Guys

 

[Alan_V]

Try this if you haven't. Remove the cover from the power distribution box, loosen the battery cable and listen for a click. If you don't hear one, touch each relay one at a time and give it the braille test. But with it being intermittant, you may be better off doing it the hard way.

Use a circuit diagram (schematic) and get some bulb holders. Find the ciruits that are B+ with the key off (other than the keep alive memory circuits), and splice in the bub holders. Let's use the power seat for an example. Logic states that if the ciruit isn't compete (good switch), the light should be out. If the circuit is compete (bad switch or intermittant short between the motor and the switch) and you find a bulb lit, chase that circuit. Yes it's a lot of work, but if I were in your shoes, it's what I'd do.

Also go back in time and examine anything that you repaired just prior to replacing the battery and alternator.