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1995 Ford Explorer Malfunction - Electrical & Lighting Systems
Question: When I turn off the key, my running lights remain on. Both front and rear. Sometimes the interior lights remain on. Sometimes the alarm system goes off as I peacefully slumber. Fuses are okay in fuse panel and the power distribution box- I am confused. Being female and blonde doesn't help much in this situation- any suggestions?
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Technican: With all these problems linked together it usually points to a module problem.
How long do the lights stay on, long enough to run your battery dead?
Owner: Yes, I figured that out yesterday. It takes about 4 hours but the battery will go dead- would this be like an ignition control module or possibley something connected to the key switch?
Technican: There are various modules used on modern automobiles, daytime running lights (DRL) module is one, GEM module (Ford), BCM (body control module) etc.
If you apply your parking brake, will the DRL go out then? It should.
Owner: Well I am very intersted to try the parking break test, but today, the "pig" refuses to give me a chance- I have driven over 40 miles hoping I could test this out, no such luck. I have to be out of town for a few days and I will mess with this some more, would that be okay? I know it is an element elimination with electrical stuff.
I have been disconnecting the negative battery wire so that I can just hook it up and go when I need to, sometimes this results in a couple of days where everything functions normally- I would like to let you know more next week if I could- thank you Cathy
Technican: Sure. You can try the parking brake test with the engine idling in your driveway.
Owner: Hello, I am back in town and I have tried the parking brake test- setting the parking break makes no difference in the running lights performance, brake on or off, the lights stay on.
Technican: Okay, to do proper diagnosis you'd need to go to a repair facility with a scanner to read trouble codes. You could call your local Autozone parts store, tell them what you are driving, and ask if they can read the trouble codes for you (if they can it's free).
Some people dislike daytime running lights, while proven to increase safety they disapprove of the energy they consume, I think I've bookmarked a site with instrucions on disabling the DRL (unless you are from Canada or anywhere DRL are required) if you are interested in the site let me know.
When the interior lights stay on, do they stay on from the time you get in the car and first start driving (the idea is don't go off as they normally do after closing the door)? If this is the case there is often a simpler fix for this problem.
Owner: Okay I can agree with your reply, and I am sure I am going to need some help getting the problem fixed. I was just trying to narrow down the problem a little bit. One thing I have noticed in the past three days, I have not had any problems with anything, nor have I locked the car or started the anti-theft system. The running lights, dash lights all remain on, or turn on, all by themselves (believe it or not . . . and when the vehicle is locked and the anti-theft system engaged during the day is when I have most of my problems. The other nite everything was working fine until I heard my horn honking as if the alarm had been set off. Sometimes just hitting the unlock botton on the key remote fixes this- but then that would be disengaging the anti-theft. So, I suspect I should start with the module that controls that part of the system?
Technican: It should be the RAP (remote anti-theft) module that is the one for the anti-theft, although they seemingly play tag from year to year/model to model with component names/designations. What is tricky, is the RAP module communicates with/through the GEM module (e.g.- to turn things on). It really is simpler to swap parts in this situation, as special scantools are required to run tests (and test are not always 100% accurate). Call your local ford store and price a GEM module (have your VIN, vehicle identification number, ready so they match your vehicle to the right parts list), let me know what they say. Some dealer sell these at a decent price cause they have been problematic. I will check to see what I can find for prices and let you know. Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes
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