Strange Electrical Issue

[scottmeiners]

hello,

hopefully someone can help with a strange electrical issue that just popped up with my 09 xlt. A couple weeks ago I had my oil changed at an instant oil change place and they told me my battery was going bad. now a few weeks later, I drove 400 miles from Cincinnati to Grand Rapids Michigan and started having weird electrical issues. When the problems start, the power outlets on the dash go out, the from blower motor cuts out, my dome lights will not work and my head lights come on, but w/o my fog lights. I noticed this happening when i was sitting in traffic. So, I went to auto zone and had my battery checked and it was bad so I got a new one. Also had my alternator tested and it also passed their test. I thought my problem was fixed for a while but no every once and a awhile this electrical problem will pop up. it must me a short somewhere or something. A few times I was able to get everything to go back to normal if I slammed my drivers door very hard. Tonight I was sitting in the drive through for a while and it did it again. unfortunately slamming the door did not work and when i turned my truck off, the headlights were staying on. I ended up driving around for a little bit then everything came back on. Does anybody have any ideas where to start looking? When this electrical problem starts, the radio work fine, the dimmer switch works fine, the rear air conditioner works fine.

Thanks for reading my really long explanation, but it seems really weird. The problems started on Saturday but has not been a problem the last two days.

thanks,

Scott

 

[mrford60]

look at your grounds first. sometimes a bad or dirty ground will cause things to do that.

 

[scottmeiners]

Thanks for the reply. where should I begin to look for grounds. I don't really have any idea where to start looking. does anybody know if one set of wires controls the dome lights, front blower motor and head lights?

 

[FordCustSrvc]

hello,

hopefully someone can help with a strange electrical issue that just popped up with my 09 xlt. A couple weeks ago I had my oil changed at an instant oil change place and they told me my battery was going bad. now a few weeks later, I drove 400 miles from Cincinnati to Grand Rapids Michigan and started having weird electrical issues. When the problems start, the power outlets on the dash go out, the from blower motor cuts out, my dome lights will not work and my head lights come on, but w/o my fog lights...

Hi scottmeiners.

I recommend visiting a Ford dealer to have this concern diagnosed. Let me know what you find out!

Ashley

 

[stamp11127]

What are your mechanical abilities and do you have a DVM?

 

[scottmeiners]

i am fairly mechanical, however I do not know what a DVM is. the three different times I have driven it today have been problem free. Hopefully my drive back to Kentucky tomorrow will go uneventfully

 

[stamp11127]

DVM is Digital Volt Meter, also referred to as a multimeter by we ol'timers. Every toolbox needs one, think of it as an electronic wrench, screwdriver or whatever.

Here is a basic one that is inexpensive:
Sears.com

If you want a "pro" model Flukes are good.

Usage video, part one of his series:

How to use a Multimeter for beginners: Part 1 - Voltage measurement / Multimeter tutorial - YouTube

 

[scottmeiners]

I do have a volt meter and would be willing to check things out. I just have no idea where to start looking. this is a weird problem, on my trip back home, the think cut out a few times, sometimes after hitting bumps in the road, other times seemed at random. Also, when the "Problem" was occurring, my windshield wipers do not work. (which I found out during a rain shower on the drive home). If I can't figure something out I will end up at the dealer, but I need to make sure that it is acting up consistently before they will be able to find out whats going on. Thanks again for your assistance.

 

[stamp11127]

I'd hit ebay and get a wiring manual. That will allow you to see the logic that was used, where everything is located and what ties into what.
It would also tell you what is controlled by the GEM, if it has one.

Troubleshooting an intermittent electrical problem is accomplished one of two ways. The first is a time intensive diagnosis of hunting for it. The other is a somewhat educated guess of throwing parts at it until the problem is found. Both can get expensive if your paying someone to do it.

You may have a loose or broken connection at some point. It could be a broken wire somewhere in the harness, a broken pin in a connector, a bad GEM, etc.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding it with a dvm and or test light. You just need the time and patience.

 

[scottmeiners]

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.