Strange electrical problem

[jcwhidby]

Problem solved. Checked resistance between positive battery post and terminal connection. Off the chart high. Took it apart and found significant corrosion there also. New terminal connections on positive and negative and new battery installed (old one was five years old so I figured it was time). Back on the road. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Marshalldog]

Hello,
Have a 1996 Ford Ranger XLT, what does the Batter Saver Relay look like?
Problem: Started to turn on truck, it would not turn on (like the battery was dead) turned off key, removed key, and this box started clicking. It is located under driver side dash, up behind cigarette lighter, to the right of the accelerator petal.
This box will intermediately click either when the door is open, sometimes (not always) when the door is closed. When I insert the key into the ignition and turn the key, the clicking will stop (when the door is open / closed).
The battery will then need to be charged, (although the battery isn't completely drained) after charging the truck, it will sometimes start, and sometimes not.
Have had the box completely stop clicking, when this happens have noticed the battery is then drained.

 

[RonD]

That's called relay box 1, there are several relays inside, battery saver relay is one of them

But it reads like your battery is the problem, the clicking means voltage is low in the whole truck, when you open a door that draws more amps from dome light and GEM Module so relay can have even less volts

A good battery has 12.3v to 12.8volts
12.8v new battery
12.5v 3 year old battery
12.3v 5/6 years old and time to shop for battery sales

12.2v or lower is a failing battery, often self draining, works fine when warm during the day, dies when it sits over night

Easy to test with volt meter, battery must have been sitting unused for at least 4 hours to test its "at rest" voltage, so if you charge the battery then let it sit before testing it, it has to HOLD a charge

Also clean battery cables and terminals

Start engine, battery should now show 14.3v to 14.8volts, thats from the alternator working
After idling for 5+ minutes, voltage should be down under 14v, 13.5-13.8volts is expected if battery is GOOD and voltage regulator is GOOD
A bad battery will keep drawing over 14volts

 

[Marshalldog]

Hello RonD,

Your theory is sound from what I experienced this morning.
Had the problem yesterday. Charged the battery, waited for about an hour, the truck started right up.
This morning, truck started right up. Parked, turned off engine, opened door, and this relay box 1 started clicking again. When for a two hour dog walk, came back, friend had jumper cables. Attached cables to both vehicles. Waited a bit to sure charge, turned key, noticed several relays were trying to engage, heard the relay box 1 click and the starter trying to engage. Finally the truck started.
I am wondering how to find the draw from the battery. This batter is 1 1/2 years old. Les Schwab tire center sold me the battery after the other one from Les Schwab was defected.
I've got several electrical problems with this truck.
Sometimes the windshield wipers will intermittently turn on, the fuel guage will sometimes show full - then the needle will slowly creep down to show the actual fuel amount in the truck.
I'll take to my technican to have him chase the problem.

 

[Marshalldog]

That's called relay box 1, there are several relays inside, battery saver relay is one of them

But it reads like your battery is the problem, the clicking means voltage is low in the whole truck, when you open a door that draws more amps from dome light and GEM Module so relay can have even less volts

A good battery has 12.3v to 12.8volts
12.8v new battery
12.5v 3 year old battery
12.3v 5/6 years old and time to shop for battery sales

12.2v or lower is a failing battery, often self draining, works fine when warm during the day, dies when it sits over night

Easy to test with volt meter, battery must have been sitting unused for at least 4 hours to test its "at rest" voltage, so if you charge the battery then let it sit before testing it, it has to HOLD a charge

Also clean battery cables and terminals

Start engine, battery should now show 14.3v to 14.8volts, thats from the alternator working
After idling for 5+ minutes, voltage should be down under 14v, 13.5-13.8volts is expected if battery is GOOD and voltage regulator is GOOD
A bad battery will keep drawing over 14volts

Ok, I'll dig up a volt meter to test the battery.
What does GEM Module mean?

 

[RonD]

1995 to 2003 Rangers used/had a Body Computer, it is called the GEM(generic electronic module), it controls all the electrics in the cab, wipers, interior lights, windows, door switches, 4x4, ect.......and battery saver relay
In 2004 it was replaced by the SJB

Battery can go bad at any time, especially if they ever get drained, i.e. leave headlights on, car batteries HATE being drained, they are made to start the engine, so 10 second burst of high amps, then immediate recharge
A Car battery is only used to start the engine, after that the alternator powers everything at 13.5+ volts, battery is under 13volts so powers nothing, it just holds volts/amps for the next start up

Battery cables can also go bad, or need to be cleaned

 

[1990RangerinSK]

A Car battery is only used to start the engine, after that the alternator powers everything at 13.5+ volts, battery is under 13volts so powers nothing, it just holds volts/amps for the next start up

Not necessarily true on newer vehicles. For example, my 2010 Honda Fit ran ALL electrical off the battery. The alternator charged the battery, then shut down until the computer called for charging of the battery, then the alternator cut in. From what I've heard, a lot of newer vehicles do that. Now, yes, on her truck, the alternator powers the electrical system and charges the battery, and the battery is only used for starting the engine or running accessories when the engine isn't running (or the alternator fails).