seemingly unrelated electrical problems

[1969scott]

I have an 02 Explorer XLT and about 2 weeks ago while driving on the highway, flashed high beams and the vehicle seemed to intermittently stall and restart. I tried to recreate it for a few days and finally got it to do it again, but only once, so really no help there. Playing around, I was able to get the radio to quickly shut off and immediately come back on about half the time if I flashed the high beams with the overdrive turned off, but only that drive. Couldn't get it to happen again after that. Next oddity was after my wife filled the vehicle up. She said that after she filled up and started the vehicle, about 10 seconds later, all the gauges swept downscale and then back to normal and the trip meter reset to 0. I drove the vehicle again today, tried flashing the high beams, filled the tank, etc, but could get nothing to happen. Luckily, my wife went to her friend's house and when she tried to leave, she opened the driver's door and noticed there were no lights that came on or anything and the vehicle wouldn't start. Her friend knows how to jump start a car, so my wife opened the driver's door to pop the hood, and like magic, interior lights came on. She started the car and came home. Is it possible for the wiring harness in the driver's door to cause all these seeming unrelated problems? I'm guessing anything is possible, but feel like I might be searching for a needle in a haystack. I'm also guessing the dealerships have probably seen these problems, but of course won't say anything but bring it in and we'll look at it. I take pride in fixing things myself and would prefer to instead of overpaying for basically a large labor bill for troubleshooting. Thanks.

 

[OneLever]

Sounds like the issue is arising when you place a load on the electrical system. Try this: Get it idling and then crank up every accessory you have. All exterior lights, interior lights, radio, wipers, defrost, fog lights, AC full blast (draws more power than heat I think), and see if that kills it. If so start checking your alternator out. If not let the troubleshooting begin.

 

[Mustangman66]

Sounds like the issue is arising when you place a load on the electrical system.

What he said...

few months ago i added a sub woofer to my car, same thing happened, full volume, middle of summer ac on, at a stop sign signaled for another driver to go by flashing lights, and car just died, restarted immediately though. was able to fix it by simply upgrading my alternator and grounding cables... similar problem, not sure if that fix will work for you, but its easy, cheap, and might just work, and improves all electrical systems.

 

[OneLever]

Also, if you don't have a multimeter buy one ($20 for a great tool) and test the voltage across the battery terminals (VDC). Should be around 12.4 when the vehicle has been sitting for awhile and the engine is off. With the engine on at idle it should read around 14.4 V. If not the alternator isn't putting out enough to recharge the battery.

 

[1969scott]

thanks, i'll try checking the alternator and battery. Interesting enough, stopped in the dealership (I do have a pretty good relationship with them) and asked them about it. The service manager suggested looking to see if the windshield might be leaking in the bottom driver corner into the fuse box. If it is corroding, it might be at the point where the problems are starting to arise.

 

[Korey61]

On my old rides, I would test the alternator by starting the car then disconnecting the battery. If it still ran, alternator good...

 

[OneLever]

On my old rides, I would test the alternator by starting the car then disconnecting the battery. If it still ran, alternator good...

With old alternators which had mechanical voltage regulators that was fine. Now they use solid state voltage regulators to control the alternator. If you do this on a newer alternator you can destroy it or shorten it's life. Voltage tests are a better way of doing it.

Here is a link with good information: Link

 

[K5trailrunner]

i would also check your batt connections, make sure they are clean and attached correctly and are tight

 

[Korey61]

I went to the link, and noted the warning. Thanx! I'd have done myself in. Gotta love sage advice. Thank you OneLever!

 

[OneLever]

You are welcome.