I have a 1993 Ford Explorer XLT. I recently purchased this thing. It has 150K, and seems to be in fairly good condition, at least the engine does. But I have been having strange strange problems. I think I might have an electrical issue, or an ABS issue or they may be related, who knows.

It had the stock Ford CD player stereo in it, but I think the dealer just put that back in to sell it.

Here are the symptoms:
Ford stereo would lose all power with no rhyme or reason. Just completely off one minute, then on the next.

Replaced the stereo with a cheap off-brand cd player. Seemed to work fine at first, speakers a little scratchy, but would adjust after it had been on for a little while.

Then on a dirt-road trip, the blinkers, brake lights and hazard lights went completely out. Turned it off and on 2-3 times, still nothing. Finally got back to town, turned it off, left it set for about 5 minutes, turned it on, had blinkers, brake lights and hazards etc.

Took it back to the dealer and they replaced the blinker switch. Haven't had any trouble with those lights again.

Meanwhile, anytime I am on uneven or washboard surfaces and going at least 20mph, when I try to stop, my brake pedal goes almost completely to the floor, then my brakes make this ooouuuurrrggg sound, like they are deflating???? Sometimes the ABS light comes on sometimes not.

The ABS light sometimes stays on after starting the thing too... sometimes on, sometimes off....

The other day, I had to make a very fast stop on uneven pavement. The brakes did their deflating again, and then my stereo stopped working. The stereo did not come back on the next morning.

The next day, I hit the brakes while going about 25mph in an old lot just to see what would happen. The stereo came back on, the a/c starting sputtering, and when I started driving away, the power would slow, like there was a battery drain off and on and off and on. I got back to work, parked in the garage turned the car off... Then I turned the key back on and nothing I mean nothing, like there wasn't even a battery attached. I tried wiggling the key thinking maybe faulty ignition switch. Nothing... So I got really really mad and kicked the brake pedal as hard as I could and everything came back on and the car started!! AARRGGGHHH

Any ideas at all.... I'm too scared to take it to my mechanic....
Thanks so much-- I need to get back the mountains, but don't trust it out of town.
L

 

Need to look at the ground wires. Had the same problems with my ford ranger. Put new wiring in and it fixed it. And it was not to hard. Also put 302 in that fixed the low power problem. Just love 425hp with nos. Thinking of X with samething drive line still holding up in ranger. X should hold up to hummmm????? All wheel drive can pull great off line. Any thoughts??
Mustang double take. hehe.

 

Dogman,
Thanks for your reply. Although I can put up a ceiling fan, car wiring scares me a little bit ahahha. Would the ground wires be diagrammed in a Chilton manual?? Any particular one ring a bell-- I'm guessing that there is one for each system??

Thanks again, I appreciate your help with this.
L

 

Check around the battery .follow the ground down to the eng. Check all black wires.Also look for any wires that someone might have add to.

 

Chiltons will have one. But i would get wiring diagram from dealer. Shop books are better than chiltons. They have trouble shooters in it. And check for supplement book they have up dates on changes .The books will tell u were to look for a wire/wires and what to test and how to test it. You will pay more but it is worth it.