2001 Expedition flickering (surging) lights - Ford Forum

smileyracing · #1 10-15-2006, 02:04 PM

Hello, I am looking for some assistance on a charging problem I am having.

I have a 2001 Expedition and the other day I noticed that the lights (all lights) were surging. I tested the battery while the vehicle was running with a volt meter and noticed that when the lights were flickering (intermittently, it does not happen all the time) the voltage at the battery would change from 14.8 to 15.2 or so, and the shift seemed to math the frequency of the lights surging. I have replaced the alternator and put in a new battery, checked all the grounds and cannot seem to locate the problem. The dashboard volt gauge is also surging with the lights.

When I test the wires from the Voltage Regulator to the ECM I notice that the green wire has about 14.4 volts and the orange wire is reading 13.6 volts. At the same time the battery voltage is reading the 14.8 - 15.2 volts. I had the old alternator tested and it tested fine.

I am stuck, and other than thinking that the ECM is having issues I don't know what else to do. All grounds seem to be tight and clean.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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94 4x4 ranger · #2 10-15-2006, 05:11 PM

[sm=welcomesign.gif][hr]If this problem is only shown with the headlights try a new head light switch.

smileyracing · #3 10-15-2006, 11:21 PM

Thanks Ranger, but it's not just the headlights - it's every light in the truck (interior, tail, head, gauge, running board, etc).

To correct my earlier post, the Orange wire had 14.4 volts and the smaller green (14ga) wire had 13.6 volts.

PROCOMPBILL · #4 02-17-2007, 06:28 PM

I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH '01 F150 W/5.4 LITER! LET ME KNOW IF YOU GET IT FIXED.[8D]

smileyracing · #5 02-20-2007, 12:23 AM

Bill,
I did get it fixed, after replacing everything I found that the 20A alternator fuse in the main distribution block (drivers side on fender near the firewall) was broken. It wasn't burnt out, but the filament had actually cracked. Check the fuse and look very closely at it.

PROCOMPBILL · #6 02-20-2007, 01:47 AM

[sm=wtf.gif]ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I had thought about checking all the charging related crap in that box before spending all that money!!!!!!!! I'm going out to check it right now! I'll let you know! THANX SMILEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

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