Random Electrical Failures - Help?!?

[eastmonsoon]

Hey All,
had my Expy about 6 weeks now, a 2001 No Boundaries Edition w/130k. The radio/clock is going on and off at random times,mostly off now, and now the window will sometimes go up and down and sometimes not when actuated. While it was warmed up and idling, there was a loud clank type clunk from the engine while I was standing in front of it. sounded like a ac clutch kinda engaging, badly. I do not think that the last issue is related but do not know so I am posting this is the hopes that there would be some ideas as to what to check. Thanks!

 

[Captain Morgan]

Hello, the three things could be totally unrelated. Having three unrelated and intemittent things isnt fun, but solvable.

Fist, can you determine if any after market work has been done? Was there any alarm or radio put in then pulled out to make the vehicle stock again??

Have you checked the fuses?

Do you own a voltmeter?


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[eastmonsoon]

Thanks for the reply Captain! As far as I can tell, no aftermarket work has been done. The fuses are ok and yes, I do own a voltmeter. Do you have some specific things/areas i can check for opens/shorts/continuity?

I should add that i am in the middle of figuring out the lean fuel banks one and two. I have replaces the plugs, boots, etc, al greased up good, the MAS, the air filter and have new tubes coming for the egr, and am going to clean the IAC this weekend, if it doesn't snow.

 

[Captain Morgan]

At this time I don't have a specific recommendation. But since you own a VM you could monitor the system voltage while observing various features \ behaviors and that might lend to some insights. You could engage and disengage the AC to try and repro the possible clutch noise.

Also, do you own an ODB2 scanner of any sort?


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[eastmonsoon]

A friend has one but it is basic and no codes are being throw that I can read.

 

[stamp11127]

Lean on banks one and two usually indicate a vacuum leak. Time for the ol can of carb cleaner

 

[JUST4FUN]

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f27/rough-idle-p0171-p0174-heres-what-you-need-check-first-4926/

 

[eastmonsoon]

Thanks JUST4FUN. Been there and sort of done that. I initially replaced the plugs and boots in question before the P0171, P0174 codes. Found that after doing the plugs, P0171, and P0174 came up, replaced MAS and air filter, then found that the line to the IAC from the passenger valve cover unplugged because of that AWSOME post by Lane24, plugged it in, codes disappeared. Ran good for about 30 minutes then back to the same thing, not only rough idle but no power over 1500-4500rpm. Next did the carb cleaner/propane trick to find vacuum leak, nothing, , pulled all plugs that had been replaced with new boots to find that lean running has shredded the plugs in under 400 miles, put new plugs in, checked fuel pressure at fuel rail, still rough. I am going to clean the IAC and EGR. I am getting 8-9 mpg around town. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[eastmonsoon]

For those following, this may have turned into a PATS issue. Once the plugs were done again, by a friend, it is running better but still not great. However, my friend, a very experienced diagnostician, had something weird happen. He was trying to play the radio and found that it cut out so he turned the ignition off of the acc position and on to the run position. The radio did not come once again but it did engage the starter and started itself after about 15-30 seconds. I did not believe him until he showed it to me. It will continue to engage the starter as if a person were starting it if in park(i.e. only 1-2 seconds of starting) at random intervals. If it is in drive or reverse, it does not. Has anyone come across this before? Is this a common PATS issue? Thanks for any ideas/advice/encouragement.