Last Nail in the Coffin?

Gdetrailer, I'm familiar with that phenomenon and have paid attention to the possibility for many years. (At one point I actually thought it was the culprit of a random power window issue that plagued the truck for over 2 years. After visits to multiple mechanics and lots of $$$, the right one finally narrowed the problem down to a misbehaving relay.) In this case no leak that I can detect. I'm not ruling it out though. But when the lock is caught in its looping cycle, I can hit the door and cause it to stop. Do you think the BCM would cause the lock to behave in that fashion which quits after I strike the door?

On a side note, even though I've kept that cheap HF battery maintainer connected after fulling charging the battery, the voltage was down to 12.55 when I checked it this evening. That's with HF still plugged in.

BillyW wrote:
I'm wondering if flawed door lock electronics coupled with a low battery could contribute to totally draining the battery. Since I've totally recharged the battery, I haven't been able to replicate the door lock problem. Of course, I haven't given it much time yet either. A frayed wire could be the culprit. Will investigate that too. Thanks for the input!

By the way I've heard from multiple people with late 90s vintage Explorers relating similar stories! Not just online either!

NO.

The door lock mechanism in the door is nothing more than a MOTOR, it contains NO ELECTRONICS in that motor other than a fuse link in case of overload or overheating.

It IS COMMANDED BY THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) or sometimes referred to as GEM (Generic Electronic Module).

The Body control module is located on the DRIVERS SIDE near the kick panel.

It is well known that the windshield on a lot of Fords trucks will develop a WATER LEAK ABOVE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE.

The Body control module often DRAINS the battery once damaged by a water leak.. It is also known for causing door lock problems, windshield wiper issues and even no radio..

HERE is one example of the issue..

ANOTHER ONE

ANOTHER ONE

MORE

MORE

This is a well known problem and is not the locks or battery..

'Til recently, mine's been a great vehicle. Only other thing that went (a number of years back) was the daytime running lights controller. But now it's showing its age... time to say good bye soon :(

ITS POSSESED! GET RID OF IT QUICK!!!! LOL

I'm wondering if flawed door lock electronics coupled with a low battery could contribute to totally draining the battery. Since I've totally recharged the battery, I haven't been able to replicate the door lock problem. Of course, I haven't given it much time yet either. A frayed wire could be the culprit. Will investigate that too. Thanks for the input!

By the way I've heard from multiple people with late 90s vintage Explorers relating similar stories! Not just online either!

Billy,

I just went thru the same thing with my 98 explorer limited. Suddenly the door locks would not work with the fob, and the battery went dead. Turned out to be a couple of loose/corroded door lock wires in the driver's door, causing a small leach. It also turned out the alternator was not working to it's original capacity, so it was a double wammy.

BillyW wrote:
My '97 F150 has had its share of issues over the years. Starting last fall, if I use the keyfob to unlock the door, it gets stuck in a cycle of endlessly locking the door instead (click, click, click, click, etc). A smart slap to the door seems to correct that. At least momentarily.

Today, I went to start it (for the first time in a week or two) and found an EXTREMELY dead battery (2v). Hmmmm.. When I connect a charger, the horn starts blaring. What gives? I've disconnected the battery while I recharge it.

Why is the horn sounding when I connect the battery? Is this likely just the horn? Or is it rather something much more expensive?

Body control module is most likely gone bad..

Typically found on the drivers side under the dash, directly under the windshield which tends to develop a well hidden leak that happens to drip right onto the Body Control Module... Once leaked on the Body Control Module tend to lose it's mind and go mad..

The Body control module controls all those things you have found to have gone wacky like horn, headlights, door locks and even windshield wipers..

Start checking to see if your carpet is wet on the drivers side..

Yes, since you use "lying" instead of "laying" properly, you obviously have a clue. So disable the security and go from there.

I have to use a battery maintainer charger on the truck at home when it only does quick short trips back and forth so it never has time to recharge itself. On long trips it is fine.

I wish it was just barely broke in! It is still fully insured, though I have no idea why.... Hmmm

It has the OEM tamper alarm only. I think I'm going with the door lock draining the battery scenario. It appears pretty common, online anyhow.

Does it have some alarm system? Remove it may fix the horn and the lock.
Don't worry no one is going to steal that old truck... or maybe they will ;)

I had to specifically demand my truck was factory OEM only. No free alarm for me.

Keep on trucking. That F150 is just barely broke in.