Please help. I love my 97 ford explorer but it has the strangest problems all the time. This time it started off with the 4wd-low light on the dash started to blink, next...no interior lights..and now, the automatic windows won't roll up or down.....what is going on? Everytime we take it to a shop its big bucks......We have a baby on the way, please, please give us some ideas?

 

Well there are many things it could be but..... have you checked the fuse for the power windows?
If you live anywhere that you have lots of moisture, ie snow or rain, and if snow a lot of salt is used on the roads..... I would suggest that you have a close look at the wiring in the door areas for the window problem, if it isnt the fuse.
For the interior light, first check the bulb and the fuse. Or try and turn the light on with the headlight switch, I assume those new fangled trucks still turn on the interior light with the headlight switch
If you can turn on the light with the switch but it doesnt work when you open the door...it could be the door switch that is bad.
Good luck with the truck and the baby

Sparky

 

In response to you email, usually I like to post to the message board, that way others can see what has been said , offer more ideas or maybe even use the messages to solve their problem
If I am correct, all the lights you mentioned vanity light glovebox light and interior light, are all on the same fuse. The only real way to check a fuse is by removing it and checking with an ohmmeter, or checking for voltage on both sides of it with a voltneter. Just because it looks intact doesnt mean it is.
The power window fuse may even be a "metal can" fuse that you can only check with a meter.....darn these "new fangled vehicles"....as I have told others I am fairly good with electricity but I have never owned a vehicle newer than 83
The moisture can cause corrosion which stops electrical things from working....probably not a big prob where you live but in snowbound places, especially where salt is used on the roads, it is deadly on wiring, connectors etc etc not to mention the poor body metal
As for the blinking 4wd light....could it be a signal that there is a prob with the 4wd system...kinda like the check engine light??

Sparky

 

1997 Ford Explorer Sport: interior lights won't work, windows won't roll up/down, 4wd light blinks, glove box light out, vainity lights out/ all on same fuse: My husband changed the fuse however; it didn't work. Today we put it in the shop and just as i had thought...its electrical. The mechanic said it has something to do with the power getting to that fuse, he said his guy could spend all day looking for a wire and charge up a ton in labor before finding the real source.....we dont have the money, so I told him nevermind. Any suggestions at this point would be appreciated

 

Well there is always "work arounds" that can be done, in fact that is what I am paid to do Is the fuse box under the hood? If so this is a good thing, as you can bypass the old wire easily. If the fusebox is inside the truck it is just a little more work running a new wire, but still easily done.
You need some 14 or 16 awg wire and an inline fuse. Get an inline fuse the same size as the one that is in the fuse box that doesnt have power to it. Connect one end of the new wire to the battery positve, actually connect it after you have completed all these other steps. Install the inline fuse in the new wire as close to the battery as possible. Then run the new wire to the "old" fuse location in the fuse box. Remove the old fuse and put the wire into one side of the fuse holder. Try the lights if they dont work move the new wire to the other side of the old fuse holder and now they should.
Temporary/cheap fix that will last for years if you want. Just not to cosmetically pleasing to look at. But ensure the wire you put into the fuse holder is in tight you dont want a "live" wire swinging around loose.

Sparky

ps
This fix will only work if the diagnosis was the fuse wasnt getting power to it. If the problem is there was power to the fuse but it wasnt getting to the lights etc this wont solve a thing
Also you will have power to all these items regardless of key being on/off or even in the truck at all. There are ways to avoid this but that would involve a more complex wiring fix, and I dont have a wiring diagram for your truck.

 

Thank you Sparky. We are going to give that a try this weekend. We have been so bummed about this thing. Saturday my husband messed with it....nothing, we went ahead and ran errands all day. Sunday, went to get in the SUV...wouldn't start! But it turned out to be a loose wire in the steering column? Go figure! What's next?:-X23

 

i'll bet you a dollar to a donut your prob is the GEM (GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE). this module controls all the things you mentioned and lot more....see you repairman for more info. they are expensive to replace...have it checked to make sure....gl