Electrical Issue? I'm stumped

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Feb 26, 2012 | 10:41 PM

#11

cliffyk

TECH SAVANT

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 10,937

From: Saint Augustine, FL

Well I just stepped out into the garage and found something I was not aware of. My '03 GT has the Mach 460 system and you can load and unload CDs with the key off--in 5+ years of owning the car I was unaware of that capability...

Feb 26, 2012 | 11:29 PM

#12

WannaBeGearHead

Go Texas!!!

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 4,613

From: Lincoln, NE

My old GT the battery would drain really fast. Bought a new battery, new alternator and still had the problem.

I found out the GEM module (I think that's the name) was causing a constant power draw even when the car was off. My mechanic told me which fuse controlled the module (fuse #39 in the interior fuse box) so at night I would pull that fuse and the battery never drained again. I had planned on getting a replacement but never got to it before selling the car.

Feb 27, 2012 | 01:30 AM

#13

Phaxtor

1st Gear Member

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 79

From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffyk

I had an expedition with the 460 and never knew I could do that til now... I sold the thing 3 months ago and have had it since 04 rofl

Feb 27, 2012 | 09:16 PM

#14

kast1376

3rd Gear Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 679

From: Sacramento

Quote:

Originally Posted by trexflyer

I had the same issue with my explorer a few yrs ago. Replaced the starter cable/wire and everything was fine. Battery was an old pos so replaced that. 2 months later replaced the starter and everything was fine for another month or so. Thinking that it couldn't be the new starter wire, and everything else was replaced I was stumped. Turns out the old battery corroded the inside of the new wire in 2 months and that ended up being the main culprit (again).
I guess it's possible the remote power lead going to the stereo amps is causing them to stay on all the time? But that would involve other issues with the radio/wiring as well. My random starting issues were just that....random. Sometimes it would go for over a week starting fine, other times I needed a jump right after turning the car off n driving for 200 miles.

I would say a corroded cable is your best bet, as already posted. If it is corroded inside, there could be enough resistance built up where the alternator will not charge the battery properly. If your previous battery had corrosion, it is very possible to have it get into the wire. When I replaced mine I had to chop off a good inch or so as the corrosion had been moving slowly away from the terminals.

Feb 27, 2012 | 10:25 PM

#15

Kenny_k82

Thread Starter

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 357

From: Nebraska

Ha, I'm glad I found a feature no one knew about... I'll go ahead and check the starter wires if I can reach it with the car on ramps. Thanks for the input. I'll probably check it this weekend.

Feb 28, 2012 | 12:41 AM

#16

trexflyer

1st Gear Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 115

From: Nevada

Quote:

Originally Posted by kast1376

I would say a corroded cable is your best bet, as already posted. If it is corroded inside, there could be enough resistance built up where the alternator will not charge the battery properly.

In my case above it wasn't that the battery had any issues getting charged, it just wasn't getting enough amps to the starter to get it running. But it did have the all telling solenoid "click" like a dead battery. Put jumper cables on and it fired right up.