Bad Ground?

[David Noah]

I have a 2004 sport trac. The battery seemed to have died a couple of weeks ago. I had to jump it to start it. I bought a new battery and it has been fine until lastnight. It died while I was in the grocery store. I was in maybe 30 minutes and had to get a jump start again. It started fine this morning but the windshield wipers didnt work. I have also noticed the fuel gauge doesn't always work, and a couple of days ago the seat belt signal wouldnt shut off. Bad ground somewhere?

 

[EddieS'04]

That would be the place to start. Check the ground to the motor and any ground straps you find. Check the + cable connection, to the power box. Inspect battery cables for corrosion. Includind the wire inside the jacket.



You may have something draining the battery. As far as things working and not working. '01 to '05 tracs have electrical gremlins, with low batteries.