2008 XLT Electrical Problems
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2016
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2008 XLT Electrical Problems
Hi!
I have a 2008 XLT. Over the last couple of days, it has developed some electrical problems. Last week, the TPMS sensor light flashed like a sensor was going bad. I just replaced them in early October. I did a retrain on Sunday, happened again Monday morning.
Would do the flash, then stay on a little while, then go out. Has continued doing this since.
Yesterday, it "stalled" at highway speed very quickly, kinda hesitated, didn't know what to think. Did this twice with a shut off between them. For a while yesterday, the driver power lock worked for the first time since I bought it. It quit again today.
This morning, at 40 mph or so, I noticed the headlights changing brightness, dimmed some, brightened some, lasted maybe 3-4 seconds a couple times, then quit.
This evening, the instrument panel "died," then came back and did this a few times. The blower would change speed at the same time. I could hear a relay cycling when the dash died a couple times. First started at a few minutes after startup, didn't do it for probably a half hour or so, did it once again, and hasn't since, but was parked within 15 minutes of the last time. The power steering wasn't working when this happened and no other lights on the dash were displayed.
I have a bluetooth adapter that gives voltage. It said 15.5. When I got home, I pulled it in the shop and tested voltage and it read 14.5 on my meter. I load tested the battery (new Feb 2019) and it tested good. The alternator was not hot. The wiring between the battery and alternator was not hot. I did top off the fluid level in the battery, but haven't done anything since.
The light illuminating the gears and position at the center shifter works once in a while. Most of the time you can hit it and it will light up.
I'm dumbfounded. I really don't know what to do. Any thoughts on what might be going on here? I appreciate the thoughts and ideas!
I have a 2008 XLT. Over the last couple of days, it has developed some electrical problems. Last week, the TPMS sensor light flashed like a sensor was going bad. I just replaced them in early October. I did a retrain on Sunday, happened again Monday morning.
Would do the flash, then stay on a little while, then go out. Has continued doing this since.
Yesterday, it "stalled" at highway speed very quickly, kinda hesitated, didn't know what to think. Did this twice with a shut off between them. For a while yesterday, the driver power lock worked for the first time since I bought it. It quit again today.
This morning, at 40 mph or so, I noticed the headlights changing brightness, dimmed some, brightened some, lasted maybe 3-4 seconds a couple times, then quit.
This evening, the instrument panel "died," then came back and did this a few times. The blower would change speed at the same time. I could hear a relay cycling when the dash died a couple times. First started at a few minutes after startup, didn't do it for probably a half hour or so, did it once again, and hasn't since, but was parked within 15 minutes of the last time. The power steering wasn't working when this happened and no other lights on the dash were displayed.
I have a bluetooth adapter that gives voltage. It said 15.5. When I got home, I pulled it in the shop and tested voltage and it read 14.5 on my meter. I load tested the battery (new Feb 2019) and it tested good. The alternator was not hot. The wiring between the battery and alternator was not hot. I did top off the fluid level in the battery, but haven't done anything since.
The light illuminating the gears and position at the center shifter works once in a while. Most of the time you can hit it and it will light up.
I'm dumbfounded. I really don't know what to do. Any thoughts on what might be going on here? I appreciate the thoughts and ideas!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
This sounds like an intermittent power/ground issue.
The battery being new doesn’t mean it’s good - how did you load test it? Inspect the exterior walls of the battery case - do any of them look bulged out? If so, it has at least one burst cell (I’ve seen several batteries with burst cells pass a minor load test).
Are both battery cables clean and tight on the battery? What about the other ends? I don’t know for sure on your car, but it’s common practice to route the alternator cable to the battery post on the starter as a means to charge the battery - if that connection is loosening up it could be causing these symptoms.
Open every fuse box and check that fuses and relays are tightly seated. Press down on them to be sure.
Inspect the wiring harness in the engine bay and under the driver side dash for signs of chafing or other damage.
The battery being new doesn’t mean it’s good - how did you load test it? Inspect the exterior walls of the battery case - do any of them look bulged out? If so, it has at least one burst cell (I’ve seen several batteries with burst cells pass a minor load test).
Are both battery cables clean and tight on the battery? What about the other ends? I don’t know for sure on your car, but it’s common practice to route the alternator cable to the battery post on the starter as a means to charge the battery - if that connection is loosening up it could be causing these symptoms.
Open every fuse box and check that fuses and relays are tightly seated. Press down on them to be sure.
Inspect the wiring harness in the engine bay and under the driver side dash for signs of chafing or other damage.
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