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2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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magic_ninja
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Jan 13, 2014, 5:30 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1543 views)
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2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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I recently started having charging system problems. I replaced the battery, and it was dark and snowing when I installed it...backwards. So I reversed the voltage through the system for a short bit. Stupid mistake I know. Afterwards I started having multiple electrical issues.
The ABS lights were on now, along with the charge light and brake lights. The check engine light now is no longer on like it should be (I had a code P0401 before).
The horn, radio, rear defrost and park/autolamp lights as well as the keyless entry now no longer worked.
I went and had the alternator and battery load tested. The battery tested good, but the alternator returned a bad voltage regulator. I knew the alternator was getting weak anyway, so I went ahead and replaced it.
After replacing the alternator I went through and checked all fuses.
I replaced the fuse for the ABS system, and it fixed the issue.
I replaced another 10a fuse ( I can't remember exactly what the fuse was for, but I can dig into it if needed).
About half the issues were now resolved.
The brake lights no longer are active, and pretty much all of my electrical components started working again with the exception of the Horn, Radio, Cluster Illumination and Autolamp/park lamp circuit. I'm guessing resolving the issue with the autolamp circuit will take care of the Cluster illumination issue as well.
After replacing the alternator my charge lamp is still active, and the alternator still load tested a bad voltage regulator. Also, when I turn the switch to "Park Lamp Position" or "Autolamp" position my 15a fuse blows (fuse number 29).
The main issues I'm trying to tackle first is the charging system and the park lights so that I may drive the car. I do have the equipment necessary for electrical troubleshooting.
I have an alligator clip with a needle soldered to it and wire with clips for the extension of meter probes, meter clamps, a fluke multimeter and some basic knowledge of electrical diagnostics (though not automotive, generally industry, home electrical and small electronics). I have checked all components I made in class today for continuity and resistance. All resistance measurements (including the fabricated wire probe attatched to the extension) had continuity and less than 1 Ohm resistance.
I'm not sure where I should begin here.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 14, 2014, 1:29 AM
Post #2 of 6
(1513 views)
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Re: 2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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Quote ">>I'm not sure where I should begin here.<<"
Sounds like you even got as far as trying to start it with it reversed - Arggh! Just touching it reversed polarity can cause problems but seems it's been thru the whole car's electrical items.
Forgiven - mistakes happen but this could be a real disaster to correct with unknown items blown all thru and possibly damage exceeding the car's value!
Does it run?
You are making test equipment you could have bought for under $20 for real cheap stuff just seen yesterday.
There are more devices that control all sorts of functions all thru this car that would blow in this situation IMO that you probably should send this out to a shop known for high end electrical testing item by item to see if it's even worth it.
Hope I'm wrong but this could be the disaster I do think it is,
T
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magic_ninja
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Jan 14, 2014, 3:17 AM
Post #3 of 6
(1506 views)
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Re: 2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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Well, most of the electronics still function, and the car starts and runs great. Right now my plan is to divide and conquor as far as the electrical issues go. I'm leaning towards problems with the GEM because most of the issues I'm having (the shorts especially) could easily happen inside of the GEM. Transistors don't like reversed polarity at all.
And I made the test tools because it was free as compared to spending money (the cheapest equipment around here are kits at around 50-150 dollars), and that is just for the different probes. It took me 15 minutes in class to get it done and verify the integrity of each component. Going to a shop and spending a few hundred dollars for repairs isn't something I'm interested in as I take this situation with a grain of salt and use it to gain some automotive electrical testing experience.
My first course of action needs to be isolating the point in the circuit at which the short occurs. I'm going to start with the autolamp circuit because having a drain on the autolamp circuit could probably contribute to the low voltage output of my alternator. I'm also going to run voltage and amperage tests on the charging circuit.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 14, 2014, 3:56 AM
Post #4 of 6
(1505 views)
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Re: 2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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It's not a toaster oven sport but a computer on wheels. I appreciate you could make some test equipment for free but if you touch the wrong things you blow expensive control modules all thru this. Instrument cluster may be blown and not serviceable. Radio alone is part of controls in some cars.
<>!You should have found out why it wasn't charging before doing anything else. This whole mess may have been a loose belt and just a voltage regulator along with a weak battery and stressed out alternator and you'd have been done with it.
It stinks but things have been shocked backwards. That may or may not blow fuses but certainly can harm an assortment of items some cost so much you would choke. Could other powertrain controls be on the edge now but still work for a while - yes.
I'll equate this to a home surge problem or lightning strike that gets in you home. Happened to me now long ago and blew everything plugged in at the time and watched fuzzy sparks go thru a room! Same deal in a way. OK, that was just TV sets and things. My toaster didn't mind.
I appreciate you in classes for electrical but a car is a different bird in so many ways. You would need to get tons of data on how to test what one by one. You interior lights aren't even working properly so it's bad.
If this has a chip key it apparently is working. Many of these things are not generic electrical and all the same as even another model year or definitely not all cars out there.
In cars some items are given ground to operate not just power positive.
I'd like others here to comment but this car may have gremlins now that never end. Can't say that for sure. I'd be afraid this car may not be able to get another inspection sticker if it can't communicate that's yet another problem all of which are costly. A car especially with OBDII is not a good practice item for learning the hard way.
Let others suggest but I say cut your frustrations and get tons of vehicle specific data or send it out for pro testing,
T
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GC
User
Jan 14, 2014, 8:40 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1491 views)
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Re: 2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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IMO this isnt something you are going to be able to diagnose properly online. You need access to all the wiring diagrams for the entire vehicle, As well as access to some high end diagnostic tools, and an understanding of the operation of the circuits in question (specific information, not just electrical principles) It would be well worth your money to take it to an auto shop specializing in electrical. You might get lucky by throwing parts at it, or you might empty your wallet and waste a bunch of time. Not trying to be harsh, but you could spend way more time, effort and money than it would cost taking it to a shop equipped to handle these problems.
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Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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magic_ninja
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Jan 14, 2014, 1:58 PM
Post #6 of 6
(1480 views)
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Re: 2000 Mercury Sable - Multiple electrical issues
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It's fine I understand. I do have access to electrical diagrams and I'm starting the process of isolating the circuit with the short as we speak.
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