Stuck Out in Mexico

[Testdr]

Hi everyone... I'll been searching around the forums for any indications of a 2003 Ford Explorer Limited V8 dying after second & half after starting, but been only able 2 find things relating to starter wires disconnecting and fuel reset button problems, ( with the starter wire disconnected, would that cause the truck to die suddenly?) Now to my question If i may... I'm currently in southwest Mexico on an expedition & on my way home today I stopped at q quickie shop to get something drink,walked back to my truck, turned it on & within a 2 seconds in mysteriously turned off! Not sure what to make of it I tried to turn it on again & got no crank this time, but what I did noticed is that when I would reset my door ajar, low oil, etc on my dash indicator It would read dashes & spaces like these ---------miles---- & the same thing for M.P.G
to empty--------
and the temp gage was sky high in the red zone , but it's not over heating at the least.
I did go threw some trouble with my Ford Contour a few years back w/ the pats module needing to be replaced ... sometimes it would read the key & sometimes it would'nt.

Now I should note that i never had a problem w/my truck concerning the pats or engine for that case , I dont have an aftermarket alarm or remote starter so nothing has been messes with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated , because the suns going down soon & I'm hours away from any shop, I get the feeling that in that movie I Am Legend w/ the sun going down & all
THANX

 

[JDraper]

Possibly a loose battery cable or a dead/damaged battery...

 

[Tbars4]

......been there and it's not fun...

...it does sound definately like an electrical problem of some kind...i am thinking it would be a loose main cable, a module, or even an alternator that has failed and took the battery with it...:scratch:

...when you completely loose your battery charge from a bad alt. it would do this but you started the truck...so i am leaning to the loose connections first, or bad computer last...wish i was closer to at least help you out of there...

 

[Donner]

Anybody lift the hood at a gas station or anywhere? I hear that's how they prep for theft in certain areas.

On the other hand, stuck in Mex?? Break out the Tequila (jk)




(disclaimer: don't drink and drive. i don't drink at all)

 

[Testdr]

......been there and it's not fun...

...it does sound definately like an electrical problem of some kind...i am thinking it would be a loose main cable, a module, or even an alternator that has failed and took the battery with it...:scratch:

...when you completely loose your battery charge from a bad alt. it would do this but you started the truck...so i am leaning to the loose connections first, or bad computer last...wish i was closer to at least help you out of there...

Well, I'm still alive. thank goodness ... I ended up finding a local tow yard before it got dark, that would tow my truck to where I live (about an hours drive) for the cheap, cheap price of $100 dollars, maybe everythings not so expensive after all? (& yes it was towed properly)
So anyways... I was wondering about those main cables being loose, when that does occur are there any indications that would be the reason? 2. Where are the main cables located on these trucks?
Now I should note that I do hear the normal clicking sounds when trying to turn the truck on, but nothing happens & at the same time there's no theft light blinking very fast of any kind, so I'm left with the impression that the pats has probably nothing to do with anything. The whole idea that the M.P.G & Miles to Empty were kinda screwy (showing dashes & not really indicating anything) as if there were no information available to show, has me wondering. & Now that I'm thinking, I just remembered that the same day this happen i remember hearing the indicator noise (like when the low fuel comes, etc.) but nothing would show on the indicator display, which at the time seemed kinda strange, but thought nothing of it since there was nothing there.

& lastly I did remove my batt. cable for more then 15 mins & reconnected it to no avail. & I also removed the pats fuse for about 15 mins aswell w/ the batt. connected but got nothing. I was with the idea that maybe the key lost it's programming or that it had something to do with the pats, but since the theft light is not indicating anything strange I think that leaves that out.
I'm going to do more research on the bad computer idea to see what i come up with, then unless someone has some different conclusions.
THANX

 

[JDraper]

Have you had the battery checked? Not just a voltage check, but a load check.

 

[Testdr]

Have you had the battery checked? Not just a voltage check, but a load check.

Actually no... & I did have my batt. drain on me 2-3 times ,because of the power inverter that I use for my computer, but it never occured to me that the batt. could cause all this... well since the headlights turn on, & the pwr windows work, I never thought anything about a load test of any kind, to tell u the truth I'm not that familiar with anything to do with LOAD of the batt., I just thought if there's a charge then it works.
Please inform me to this (LOAD) u talk about? (Sorry if I sounded sarcastic)

 

[JDraper]

A load test determines how strong the battery is. If you have shorted cells, it can show full voltage but have very little power (current in amps). A load test is the true way to tell the health of a battery. A decent garage or auto parts stores that sells batteries should have one.

 

[Tbars4]

...glad to hear you made it out alive and it sounds like draper has got your problem figured out...i would start there also...

...btw, any electrical you have tested such as a battery,alt, etc.... have it removed from the vehicle for the test...the all in one charging test overlooks bad items all the time...

 

[Testdr]

CONCLUSION: It happened to be the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to me... well, concerning a car at least.
It was the #41 fuse in the power distribution which affects the PTEC, etc. But what happen was that I had mistaking moved 1 of the stater relays from it's normal spot, which I can't remember where it was, and had moved it to the #3 spot in the D.B, which is not used & well... as u can tell caused a huge headache, anyways... I would like to thank everyone that helped me during this problem & hope this might help someone else, incase something like were to occur again. THANX AGAIN

 

[JDraper]

Glad you found your problem!!