Last Nail in the Coffin?

[TurnThePage]

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?

[TurnThePage]

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!

[jrnymn7]

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.

[Gdetrailer]

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..

[BFL13]

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.

[TurnThePage]

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.

[time2roll]

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.

[Bird_Freak]

Did your remote lock system go bad and drain the batt. Seen it happen before.

[TurnThePage]

edbehnke wrote:
time to buy another truck

The VERY moment I can convince she that wears the pants! 🙂

[TurnThePage]

Thoughts on what might suddenly drain a battery so quickly? I mean it was down to 2 volts. It's been no more than 2 weeks since I drove it last.

[edbehnke]

time to buy another truck

[TurnThePage]

Could be the case... I removed the horn relay and reconnected the battery. The headlights started flashing. When I started the truck, it started fine and the headlights quit flashing. Incidentally, the door lock started its click, click, click thing again, even though I used the key and not the fob. Suppose they are related? In the meantime, I'm adding one of those cheap Harbor Freight battery maintainers I had lying around. I'll monitor it a bit I guess. Maybe it's just time for a new battery. I obviously keep my vehicles way too long.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

donn0128 wrote:
Security systems often do that when the hattery is dead and then connected to a charger or other 12 volt source.

X2. I'm betting on the security system.

[donn0128]

Security systems often do that when the hattery is dead and then connected to a charger or other 12 volt source.