Bad Relay? Won't Start
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Bad Relay? Won't Start
This may get long but I'll try to be brief: 1997 Explorer 4.0 OHC code X
Drove to work today, started and ran fine. Would not start at end of day. Battery is only months old. While sitting in dead truck I hear a clicking, like a relay, but figure it's because of weak power (thought I might have left the lights on). Get a jump start, fires right up, runs good, then the ABS light pops on. Get home, turn it off and try to restart, NADA, DEAD. Hear the same clicking, trace it to the module back by the jack compartment, not the silver box but a black plastic one. I can also hear it from under the dash, under the steering wheel but can't find the source, the damn power seat won't move back. While unhooking the battery cable the alarm goes off, the remote won't shut it off so I turn the key in the ignition and the damn thing starts but the alarm won't shut off. I run back and unhook the battery and left it off while I check with you gurus hoping it will reset "whatever". I think a relay is stuck and it drained the battery during the day (its weak, 12v) but which one? Any help greatly appreciated.
Vic
Drove to work today, started and ran fine. Would not start at end of day. Battery is only months old. While sitting in dead truck I hear a clicking, like a relay, but figure it's because of weak power (thought I might have left the lights on). Get a jump start, fires right up, runs good, then the ABS light pops on. Get home, turn it off and try to restart, NADA, DEAD. Hear the same clicking, trace it to the module back by the jack compartment, not the silver box but a black plastic one. I can also hear it from under the dash, under the steering wheel but can't find the source, the damn power seat won't move back. While unhooking the battery cable the alarm goes off, the remote won't shut it off so I turn the key in the ignition and the damn thing starts but the alarm won't shut off. I run back and unhook the battery and left it off while I check with you gurus hoping it will reset "whatever". I think a relay is stuck and it drained the battery during the day (its weak, 12v) but which one? Any help greatly appreciated.
Vic
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
If you have a battery charger, charge the battery. Start with a strong battery. Definitely sounds like some electronic boxes may have become confused due to low voltage. Keep battery disconnected for at least ½ hour to reset. After everything is reset and the battery is charged, if you have ABS light or other issues, check for codes from the computer. Also, you need to check and see if your alterator is charging. If it is, you should have between 14 to 16 volts between the + and - on the battery when the truck is running. If it's charging and the battery is draining, you'll need to trace down your power drain. That may take a while.
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Thanks, Jerry.
I left the battery cable off and charged the battery for about 2 hrs on trickle. As of this morning things are fine, no ABS light, no clicking. I'll have to run out during the day and give a listen and check the alt output.
Vic
I left the battery cable off and charged the battery for about 2 hrs on trickle. As of this morning things are fine, no ABS light, no clicking. I'll have to run out during the day and give a listen and check the alt output.
Vic
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Joined: Aug 2005
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I agree, sounds like a bad battery to me.
The modern batteries can die with zero warning, my g/f's GM compact size car did just that on us a couple years back. Drove to friends for dinner, no problems. Came out, only a weak yellow dome light and "clunk" when the starter was turned. We pushed it to start it because nobody had booster cables and it fired right up. Back home after a 30 minute run, no go. Just like yours. Charged the battery overnight, still the same next morning.
We had a good electrical shop check for shorts and high ground resistance but it was all A OK, just a dead battery.
The modern batteries can die with zero warning, my g/f's GM compact size car did just that on us a couple years back. Drove to friends for dinner, no problems. Came out, only a weak yellow dome light and "clunk" when the starter was turned. We pushed it to start it because nobody had booster cables and it fired right up. Back home after a 30 minute run, no go. Just like yours. Charged the battery overnight, still the same next morning.
We had a good electrical shop check for shorts and high ground resistance but it was all A OK, just a dead battery.
