electrical problems or short somewhere

2000 FORD EXPEDITION
200,000 MILES • 3.6L • V8 • AUTOMATIC
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KIMBERLY KEATING
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  • 16 POSTS
Our SUV was driving fine then this morning went to start it and it was dead. Charged the battery and now sounds like it wants to start, but wont turn over. Theft light flashing, odometer light stays lit up and defrost comes on and will not shut off even with key out when trying to start it so we have to disconnect the battery to shut defrost off. I thought with theft light blinking maybe anti theft was causing a problem and needed to be disconnected, but do not know even where to find it under the hood. That does not explain defrost coming on though with out turning it on when trying to start the engine and then it not shutting off even with key out of ignition. What do you think it is? Thank you for your expert advice!
Sep 2, 2016 at 10:53 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,000 POSTS
There are many different alarm systems. I grabbed this one (out of many) I searched "How to turn off the security system on a 2000 expedition". Here it is

http://www.ehow.com/how_8256831_disable-alarm-2000-ford-expedition.html

Might want to see others too, if that one is not right.

Did you by chance disconnect the battery when you charged it? Sometimes a computer will 'sense' the "too low voltage" and the computer will sort of stay tuned to that mode (accessories may want to go haywire), this may continue until you actually disconnect it a few minutes, then reconnect it so that it 'sees' "Full Voltage"

Keep talking

I am not the only one who might pipe in with a solution!

The Medic

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Sep 2, 2016 at 12:07 PM
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KIMBERLY KEATING
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we did take the negative cable off the battery and then reconnecting after a hour off and it is still off now because it is the only way to shut off the defrost that stays on even with key out of ignition. We will be reconnecting the negative cable after leaving it off all night today and trying the spare key to see what happens today. I will let you know what happens and also we will try to remove fuse for theft and try that. Should we try removing both positive and negative cables from the battery and wait at least ten minutes not just the negative cable?
Sep 2, 2016 at 7:44 PM
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KIMBERLY KEATING
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Okay, so this is what worked; we disconnected the negative battery cable left it off all night and then reconnected it today and retrained the system by driving it ten miles and it started up and seems to be running fine. When the battery got drained by something it must have affected the computer. Thanks
Sep 3, 2016 at 5:36 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,000 POSTS
So you are good to go and we must sit around like the Maytag man till somebody else breaks down?

Hope that has you fixed up!

Just remember, as per any owner's manual, check the Oil and Coolant WEEKLY!

Y'all have fun, come back to see us!

The Medic
Sep 3, 2016 at 10:06 AM
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KIMBERLY KEATING
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  • 16 POSTS
thanks so much you all for your help!
Sep 3, 2016 at 7:56 PM
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