In the "family fleet" is a '93 Explorer that my wife drives most of the time. For the past several months whenever the ignition is shut off the amp/volt gauge needle pegs itself to the left side. The needle will stay there after startup, but will come down into the normal range if the gauge is firmly tapped.

After coming back from a week of vacation, the battery was stone cold dead (glad we drove the "Bow Tie" pickup to the airport). The only drain that I'm aware of is whatever the radio takes to maintain its presets and the little red indicator light for the security system. Wouldn't think that would have been enough to drain the battery in such a short period of time. Had a devil of a time getting the beast running again, but after pulling the cables, cleaning the posts, and jump starting the beast the battery seems to be back at full charge now and holding.

Anyone have thoughts as to what's up with the gauge? Is it simply shot or is there some other electrical issue that is lurking somewhere in the system? Last fall I replaced both of the battery cables and altenator so I know those are good.

Thanks in advance.


July 21

After being gone for two weeks on vacation the "Green Machine" was dead again. Still have the pegged meter as well. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

|UPDATED|7/21/2002 2:14:21 AM|/UPDATED|

Electrical problems can be misleading sometimes. I had a similar experience
and it was a bad battery. Never thought the problem could be the battery since it was only one year old

The battery was checked out (and passed) as part of the process in swapping out 3 different altenators before finding that the non-charging issue was being caused by a blown fuse in the power block under the hood (the rest of the fuses were checked as well ).


Jim O.