Electrical problem
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Tx.
Electrical problem
My mom has a 2001 Explorer, and can't keep the battery charged. They took it to the parts house, but could not get any codes off of it, the battery is new, and the charging system works properly.
Is this one of the years that was infamous for the under-hood fires caused by a defective cruise relay? If it is, could someone provide a picture of the relay location, so I could explain it to her. I'm stuck here in Texas, and she's in Louisiana.
Thanks in advance.
Is this one of the years that was infamous for the under-hood fires caused by a defective cruise relay? If it is, could someone provide a picture of the relay location, so I could explain it to her. I'm stuck here in Texas, and she's in Louisiana.
Thanks in advance.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
First things first....
How old is the battery??
Is this drain when vehicle sits idle (phantom)?
How long between trips??
Does the battery get charged when the engine is running?
Has the battery been placed on a charger for at least 12hrs (2amp)?
Note: the alternator is not designed to charge a battery from dead, it is designed to top off while driving....Philip
How old is the battery??
Is this drain when vehicle sits idle (phantom)?
How long between trips??
Does the battery get charged when the engine is running?
Has the battery been placed on a charger for at least 12hrs (2amp)?
Note: the alternator is not designed to charge a battery from dead, it is designed to top off while driving....Philip
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Tx.
First things first....
How old is the battery??
Brand new
Is this drain when vehicle sits idle (phantom)?
Yes
How long between trips??
When it will run, daily
Does the battery get charged when the engine is running?
No charging system warning light comes on (that's all she could tell me)
Has the battery been placed on a charger for at least 12hrs (2amp)?
The previous battery had been
Note: the alternator is not designed to charge a battery from dead, it is designed to top off while driving....Philip
How old is the battery??
Brand new
Is this drain when vehicle sits idle (phantom)?
Yes
How long between trips??
When it will run, daily
Does the battery get charged when the engine is running?
No charging system warning light comes on (that's all she could tell me)
Has the battery been placed on a charger for at least 12hrs (2amp)?
The previous battery had been
Note: the alternator is not designed to charge a battery from dead, it is designed to top off while driving....Philip
Extra characters, 'cause the system doesn't recognize my answers as separate.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
You first report the charging system is OK, then that the alternator does not charge when running....
I would first check the alternator for a shorted diode... that could explain the drain and no charge....
Must see >14vdc when engine running 2000rpm.....
The preious battery being on a charger does no good for the new one.. Irrelevant!... Philip
I would first check the alternator for a shorted diode... that could explain the drain and no charge....
Must see >14vdc when engine running 2000rpm.....
The preious battery being on a charger does no good for the new one.. Irrelevant!... Philip
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Tx.
I never said the charging system did not work, I only stated that the warning light for the charging system never came on to indicate a "no charge" situation. I cannot be more specific, because the vehicle is over 6 hours away, and I cannot just "up and go there".
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
Re the cruise question: It's the switch that goes bad and if it was drawing that much voltage you wouldn't have to worry about a dead battery. It would be toast.
Helping Mom find the problem from afar is not going to be easy. How long does it have to sit before it won't crank? New batteries CAN be bad so I'd have her to get it checked somewhere else than where she bought it, first anyway. Have her, or someone, disconnect the battery when it's last driven for the day and reconnect it the next morning to see if it cranks then. If not then you KNOW it's a bad new battery.
A bad alternator diode can kill the battery but there would be an indicator light on, sometimes intermittently though. Any interior lamps staying on? Not sure but the "Battery-Saver" relay might could do this, I'd have to research that. (Ironic wouldn't it be?) Do the battery check suggestions and let us know what the results are.
Helping Mom find the problem from afar is not going to be easy. How long does it have to sit before it won't crank? New batteries CAN be bad so I'd have her to get it checked somewhere else than where she bought it, first anyway. Have her, or someone, disconnect the battery when it's last driven for the day and reconnect it the next morning to see if it cranks then. If not then you KNOW it's a bad new battery.
A bad alternator diode can kill the battery but there would be an indicator light on, sometimes intermittently though. Any interior lamps staying on? Not sure but the "Battery-Saver" relay might could do this, I'd have to research that. (Ironic wouldn't it be?) Do the battery check suggestions and let us know what the results are.
