Expedition Electrical Help!
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Expedition Electrical Help!
I have a 98 Expedition. Last night, after parking it for about a half hour, we went out to get in the vehicle and the remote control door opener would not work. We used the key. However, when we opened the door the dome light wouldn't come on. We heard a distinct click coming from the fuse panel under the dash. After removing the cover, the click was louder. It would click about once every 3 seconds. The car would not start. When I turned the key to the start position, the instrument lights came on very dim. Still no dome lights but the open door alarm kept bonging loudly. I removed the three large relays in the fuse panel, but the clicking kept going. I checked the battery with a multi-meter and it had 12.37 volts. I had the same reading throughout the electical in the engine compartment. Does anyone know what's going on and if there is an easy fix that I can do before submitting myself to the mercy of my local Ford Dealer?
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I tried to jump the battery but it still wouldn't start. After messing around for a little while with it, the dome lights came back on again and everything seemed normal. The radio worked, the instrument panel worked. However, as soon as I tried to start the engine, the dome lights went out and everything dimmed on the instrument panel. The click noise came back again somewhere in the vicinity of the fuse panel under the dash. Do you think that this is an indication of a bad battery? If so, why couldn't I jump it with my other vehicle?
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From: NoVa
I'd make sure it isn't the battery first. (start with the cheapest item first)
Does the clicking happen when you turn the key only? if so, i'd check the starter. If it (starter) can't start the engine, your alternator isn't running, and your battery will lose juice QUICK, causing the lights to dim and so what. Especially if original battery!
Does the clicking happen when you turn the key only? if so, i'd check the starter. If it (starter) can't start the engine, your alternator isn't running, and your battery will lose juice QUICK, causing the lights to dim and so what. Especially if original battery!
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From: Southern Middle Tennessee
Originally posted by Jens17
I tried to jump the battery but it still wouldn't start. After messing around for a little while with it, the dome lights came back on again and everything seemed normal. The radio worked, the instrument panel worked. However, as soon as I tried to start the engine, the dome lights went out and everything dimmed on the instrument panel. The click noise came back again somewhere in the vicinity of the fuse panel under the dash. Do you think that this is an indication of a bad battery? If so, why couldn't I jump it with my other vehicle?
I tried to jump the battery but it still wouldn't start. After messing around for a little while with it, the dome lights came back on again and everything seemed normal. The radio worked, the instrument panel worked. However, as soon as I tried to start the engine, the dome lights went out and everything dimmed on the instrument panel. The click noise came back again somewhere in the vicinity of the fuse panel under the dash. Do you think that this is an indication of a bad battery? If so, why couldn't I jump it with my other vehicle?
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From: Texas, USA
I have a full time digital readout of voltage on my dash. In the -25 degree cold on a trip to CO last month, my Expy started without a problem with a real time reading of only 11 volts in the Optima battery.
It might be battery, connections, ignition switch, starter solenoid going bad or a poor ground in starter, solenoid, engine or ignition switch.
It might be battery, connections, ignition switch, starter solenoid going bad or a poor ground in starter, solenoid, engine or ignition switch.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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It sounds like you have no ground connected. If your batt reads 12v and you hear constant clicks from the relays, its that they are not grounded and cannot grab a charge to rollover. There is a ground wire loose. It has happened to me before.
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