2004 Ford Expedition Logo
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Keith Davis Posted on Nov 29, 2013

Check Charging system light illuminates, all electrical shuts down and engine still runs on 2004 Ford Expedition 5.4l until battery dies. The opposite has also happened with the engine shutting down and the electrical staying on. Battery has been replaced within a week and the alternator was replaced about a year ago. I also went through a stage where my battery would lose charge over a 2-3 day period if not ran. This was before the check light started coming on. Charging system was tested at Autozone. The check showed a bad battery, which is why I replaced it a week ago.

  • Keith Davis
    Keith Davis Nov 29, 2013

    Actually, I need to clear things up a little. I had the problem of the battery going dead which led to the replacement of the alternator a little over a year ago. About 6-8 months ago the Charging light would blink an the truck gave a tone every so often. About a month ago it started happening more frequently, which led to the entire elec. system shutting down. The engine would run until the battery was depleted. That's when I had the system tested and replaced the bad battery. It ran fine that day, but the next day it started flashing the light again. I uncovered the alternator wiring harness to check for bad wires and found nothing wrong. It continued to show the light, but I have't lost electrical power since. I have had the engine shut off on me after the light flashed off and on continuously for about 5 minutes. The electrical stayed on, so I pulled the key out and opened my door to shut off elec. I then closed my door and tried to restart the truck. After it turned over a few times it finally started again and I got to my destination. I have driven it once more since then. It only flashed the light with nothing else failing. I can also tell when right before the Charging System light is going to illuminate. All electrical items will show a decrease in power (lights, ect.) and then the light will illuminate. Another thing that's been happening for a while now, when I roll my windows up and the window can't go anymore, it will draw a ton of power from the electrical. Thank you for any help you can give me.

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1 Answer

Chris

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  • Posted on Nov 29, 2013
Chris
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Try replacing the "convinence control module" and bad board can cause all elec issues explained and also cause engine to cut out and other things but that is where I would start, hope this helps-

Testimonial: "I've tried to look this up, but I'm seeing no results for what or where this is. Could you please point me in the right direction? Thank you for your response!"

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  • Keith Davis
    Keith Davis Nov 29, 2013

    I've tried to look this up, but I'm seeing no results for what or where this is. Could you please point me in the right direction? Thank you for your response!

  • Keith Davis
    Keith Davis Nov 30, 2013

    Is there another name for this part? I completely lost trying to figure out what this is. The only things that come up are the ECM and ICM.

  • Chris
    Chris Dec 01, 2013

    Assuming ECM would be the one you might want I am guessing others would call it that if it stands for Environment Control Modual, if so then yes they are the same and no it is not the ICM that is your ignition control modul. If changing the ECM if not to expenisive doesnt work then you have a fault in your wiring harness and need to follow wires until you find a bad spot because if it is not the ECM then it must be a wire grounding out somewhere, it is a pain in the back side to chase wires but once found easily repaired. If you end up chasing wires I would start from the front of the vehicle and work to the back, it is most likely in the engine cradle area or along the frame. hope this helps-

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1986 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 12, 2009

SOURCE: 1998 windstar van: charging system light goes

It could mean the alternator has gone bad already... with the car off, the battery leads should read 11-12V.. with the car on, the battery should read 13-14V.. if it's lower then it's not charging your battery and if it's higher, it's damaging your battery....

Testimonial: "thanks so much for your advice...will have this checked into :)"

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Anonymous

  • 299 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 25, 2009

SOURCE: replaced the battery and the alternator in 2006 ford taurus

check the alternator fuse and grounding

rtpflh

rtpflh

  • 546 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 28, 2009

SOURCE: My 2005 ford explorer check charging system warning light

if charging light is on w/ engine running,the fault could be the alternator or another component of the charging system.remove, clean and tighten battery post connections to check for alternator output,use a volt meter or multi-tester set to 50 Volts DC,w/ tester on battery terminals it should read 12 volts W/ engine off;13 to 14 volts w/engine running.if voltage increases when alternator is spinning,suspect battery

Anonymous

  • 31 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 04, 2009

SOURCE: Ford 2005 E350 econoline van has had a battery light problem

you have a voltage drop.fine the damaged wire going fro mthe positive terminal of your battery to your alternator.fix this or it will keep working the alternator and draining your battery.

Anonymous

  • 58 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 27, 2010

SOURCE: Ford 2003 Expedition EB. Check Charging System

Its probably the alternator. It will need to be tested on the vehicle with the engine running and the light illuminated. Measure the battery voltage with the engine running. It should be at least 13.5 volts. If it is lower have the alternator tested at a shop with a charging system tester.

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Action
Yes
No

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Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check for Starting and Charging? yes or no
Go to Step 2 yes
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical no

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