Help, my vx has confusing and aggrevating symptoms

[twistedsymphony]

sounds like a problem with your alternator. Autozone and similar places will test it for free but you'll have to pull it off your engine yourself. I'd also have your battery tested for good measure too.

The reason I say this is because your electrical gremlins are spread throughout the car from the exterior lighting, to the interior lighting to the engine ignition, to the abs system... the only thing they have in common is their power source: the batter and alternator.

[VehiGAZ]

sounds like a problem with your alternator.

+1

[IndianaVX]

Just a question, but did you happen to power wash your engine bay back when you first noticed the problem? i just ask because water can get in the harnesses, the plugs of sensors, etc.
look up member "climbcovey" he has a thread on some gremlins similar to yours, if i remember right. and it turned out to be his main wiring harness.
good luck
dave

[twistedsymphony]

The engine harness should be sealed from the factory. you should be able to submerge the car in water and as long as the coils and intake stay dry it will run.

If it was shorting out from water in the harness then it would mean his harness is damaged from something else that is allowing the water to get in there.

It's certainly not out of the realm of possibilities... but as my fiancee says "if you hear hoof-beats look for horses not zebras"

[VehiGAZ]

The engine harness should be sealed from the factory. you should be able to submerge the car in water and as long as the coils and intake stay dry it will run.

But the cylinder coils are not sealed (don't take forum posts too literally). Several of us have fallen victim to sporadic misfiring due to getting water down in one or more of the spark plug wells after power-washing then engine. It's very easy to d to yourself, and it doesn't always light the check-engine light, either.

If you are concerned that this may be happening to you, remove each coil (two Philips- and hex-head screws on each coil, but use a socket, not a screwdriver) and take a peek down in there. If you see anything wet, that may be the problem. The moisture seems to ground the charge to the engine instead of firing the spark plug. Check them all - it's easy to do. If you see water or noticeable moisture, let it dry it out and reinstall the coil.

[JGeorge264]

"the only thing they have in common is their power source: the batter and alternator."

Thanks Twisted & Vehi, that was kind of what I was leaning towards but wasn't sure if all of the symptoms would relate to the same issue or if I maybe had two seperate issues. I didn't want to start tearing into my harness' without an obvious cause and effect.
If I pull the alternator ("I" meaning hubby, lol) and take it to be tested - if the problem is sporadic like it's been - will it show it's bad if the issue doesn't happen to be going on at the time of testing? Also, how big of a pain in the butt is removing and replacing it?

You guys are awesome! Thanks again. I'll keep you informed of my progress.

[Cobrajet]

sounds like a problem with your alternator.

+2

As I was reading your story I kept thinking how this sounded like my '82 Mustang. Even though it had a new-ish battery, it wouldn't hold a charge. Alternator checked good. I took the car to an auto electrical specialist, and he discovered the problem. Autozone didn't have a clue. Turns out the alternator had the wrong size pulley on it, so it didn't turn fast enough at idle to keep the battery charged and provide power to all the electrical components. New pulley and new belt, and it's been running strong ever since.