Weird electrical problem
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 26
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Weird electrical problem
On my 2004 E350 we started having weird problems today. It was suddenly very warm in our area and we had the van out when the radio cut out and the (ABS) light came on. Then the gauges all dropped to nothing. We stopped and turned the key off and the engine clicked and would not turn the starter. We waited about 30 minutes and then tried the key again. This time it started but about 20 minutes later the gauges dropped off again, and when turned off the van just clicked again. Alternator and battery are 2 months old, ignition switch is 8 months old. Any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Seligman, AZ
Have you made sure the battery has a good solid, corrosion free connection? It sounds to me like you have corrosion on a terminal somewhere.
Edit: Don't forget to check for good solid connections at the other ends of the battery cable too, at the starter and engine block I think.
Edit: Don't forget to check for good solid connections at the other ends of the battery cable too, at the starter and engine block I think.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 26
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Thanks but not the starter
The problem is very intermittent. Cables all have good connections. Because of how its responding, I'm wondering if it is a relay, but I have no idea which one or where to look. The problem happened on a hot day, and it seemed to fade and reoccur with heat- we let the van sit for 30 minutes and all worked well for about 20 minutes of driving. Is there some sort of multipurpose or generic load balancing relay that might be sticking? How would I find and test?
Should I invest in Haynes or is there another book I should get?
Should I invest in Haynes or is there another book I should get?
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 8
That's interesting that a failure like that would shut down the vehicle completely like that. The excitation circuit creates the magnetic field so the alternator can generate power. The only thing that should happen if it's not working is a dead battery.
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