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Electrical Issues

G

Geddup Noise

CEG'er
Joined
Sep 28, 2005
Messages
149
Location
Louisville, KY
I just replaced the battery in my Contour. In doing so, I managed to blow something. I had sparks from the battery terminals, my wipers started moving and the interior lighting flickered. I think the car cried a little bit too.

Anyway, now my floorboard lights are on all the time. When driving, and also when I turn the car off. It's draining the battery down every couple of days of not driving. I doesn't make sense for it to be a blown fuse because that would just make something not work at all, right? I'm guessing a relay somewhere. But I have no way of checking which one it might be.

Also, my alternator was recently replaced. Since then, when driving (not just on idle) all lights, interior, headlights, illuminations are dimming and brightening constantly. My Volt meter is swaying back and forth. I had a shop replace the alt but I don't know what else could cause such inconsistency in voltage besides the alternator.

Any suggestions before I take it to a shop?
 
re: the interior lighting staying on:

Search the old forums for a test done on the "Central Timer Module" or "CTM". under Troubleshooting, or Aesthetics forum. Set the date range to "ALL"

re: lighting swaying.
Look in the Duratec Maintenance forum, under "read first" and find GoldnTour's lighting fix.

Also, read this thread on that subject.
 
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I jump-started the contour today and the problem just disappeared. The voltage is still inconsistent but the floor board lights are working properly. I want to just ignore the situation and hope that the problem doesn't come back. But as we all know, problems just don't magically fix themselves like that. It will probably come back. as for the voltage problem, I suppose I'll keep investigating.
 
Even though the interiors are working, I would open your driver's door.. find the door switch at the bottom, unscrew the two small screws that hold it in place, pull it out (gently) and pop the wires off.. clean the corrosion, and reassemble. That's another LIKELY (read: VERY LIKELY) cause of your lights staying on... Even still, the switch may be BAD as well.. so cleaning it will not help..
 
I didn't find anything with two screws, however, I did check all 4 of the door sensors. The wiring was fine on those and the 12sec delay is working just fine now.
 
If you have 13.8-14.5 volts at the battery while the car idling, it's charging up the battery. If low (like 12.4), alternator has probably failed. If that is the case, check the foglight fuse (if you have stock ones), it also sends power to alternator voltage regulator.
 
My fogs are fully operational, so I don't think it's the fuse. I just went for a drive and had no problems with voltage regulation. But earlier today, it was about 13.0-13.9 on idle and back and forth between 12-14.5 while driving. The alt. was just replaced.
 
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I just remembered, the Megafuse sometimes can be problematic. Go here Megafuseand scroll to Tony 2005 9th post down, links to megafuse image and its location.

Also, here
 
Thanks. I'm going to check the megafuse tomorrow in the daylight. It has o be either that or a wiring problem. The alt was just replaced so I doubt that is the issue.
 
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