96 Exp. electrical issues

[wyattt]

I've had a series of electrical issues with my 96 explorer 4.0 4x4. The last of which, has been a slow cranking battery which I suspect is due to a drain somewhere in the car. I'm wondering if they are related or not.

Issue 1 My fuse blew this winter for my 4x4/rear heat/rear defrost/brakes. I found this out the hard way when I got stuck. I replaced the fuse and it blew quickly, but not before this fluid sprayed out of my master cylinder at this electrical plug at the front end of th master cylinder where the lines come out of it. I noticed it by chance because the hood was up and I saw a bit of smoke coming from it. I haven't noticed if this has reoccured save for one more time, since it has warmed up and I haven't needed to engage the 4x4.

Issue 2: I replaced my battery because I thought it was dead. A few weeks later it started starting slower and slower until it stopped. I charged the battery after Interstate told me the battery was still good, and replaced corroded battery terminal connectors for new ones. This issue is still going on, though it has only died one or two times. It starts slow. It often resets the radio/clock, but it is sporadic. Some days it starts slow and doesnt reset the radio, other days it resets it everytime I start the car.

Issue 3: Now the airbag light will flash or stay on everytime the car is started and or running. Also, the turn signals will sometimes stay on solid or will blink slow even though the turn signals are not engaged. I should also mention that the security light will flash sometimes after I
have closed the doors and locked the car.

So are these related? I plan on replacing the battery one more time with a larger battery that has more cranking amps to see if this helps. I have had my alternator tested and it is fine. I'm hoping I don't have to search through a nest of wiring to find a short or something.

[shorod]

When you replaced the battery connectors, did you replace the cable assemblies or just the cable end with the type that clamps down on the copper wire? If the latter, then get new cable assemblies by application and be sure the make sure the connection surfaces are clean. It sounds like you have a parasitic loss somewhere and I'm guess it will be at the ground side based on the goofy way some of the electronics are acting. It wouldn't surprise me if the ABS light is for "KAM power low" or some other low power code. This may or may not be the source of the Security light as well. That could be the common door pin switch issue which you can find a lot of detail on if you search the forum for "ajar" or "door switch" keywords.

-Rod

[dugan50]

Your vehicle's airbag system is flashing a fault code. Here's a site that will explain everything you need to know about airbag lights and resetting the system.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/

This website gives you the procedure for diagnosing and resetting airbag lights. See if your car is listed here. Although it’s a pay site ($14.95/day), it’s a lot cheaper than going to the dealer
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/vehicles_list.aspx

On most vehicles, the airbag light should come on for @6 seconds, and then go off if the system is working properly. If there is a fault or a problem in the system, the light will remain illuminated, or flash continuously. If the airbag light does not work properly, some vehicles have an audible tone that sounds indicating a problem with the airbag light system. When the light is on (or the tone is sounding), the airbag will NOT deploy, even in an accident.
The flashing light on your car is telling there is a problem. On some vehicles, the light is flashing a two digit code. Once you know the code, you can most likely repair it yourself. There are fairly easy procedures that most people are capable of repairing.
Airbagsolutions.com has the fault code charts to tell you what is wrong and how to fix it!

Some vehicle manufacturers accommodate systems without a scanner (like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infinity, Honda, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mazda & Mercury) .
Most all other vehicles require a scan tool for the diagnosis.

Check out these websites also for more info on airbag systems and the light.
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/arch...ould-i-do.aspx

Lastly, check your vehicle for recalls through this link also:
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/nhtsa.aspx

[wyattt]

Thanks for the help guys! I'll take care of this stuff ASAP.

Also, I found out from a neighbor who works in a used parts yard that the sensor at the top of my master cylinder had a recall. It used to short to ground? and heat up the break fluid and start a fire! He said that is why I am blowing fuses so much.