# Electrical Issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** transmissions, ford, freestar\ **Created:** [October 11, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244 "2010-10-11T20:06:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fordfreestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@fordfreestar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fordfreestar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/1 "2010-10-11T20:06:43Z")
My Freestar has had repeated and various electrical issues since purchasing it used in '05. They majically disappear whenever we take it to a mechanic. Most recently, they’ve caused the transmission to stick in first and a diagnostic machine to read “all kinds of crazy codes.” Closer inspection and a 20 mile road test have revealed nothing. Any ideas? suggestions? Should I just scrap the thing and start over? Help! ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/2 "2010-10-11T20:46:41Z")
When lots of things intermittently go haywire one of the first things to suspect is a bad ground connection somewhere. You need a good, local, independent shop. Preferably one that specializes in electrical systems. You need to make note of any and all weird things that have happened and somebody needs to get a good wiring diagram to find all of the related ground connections, check them, clean/repair, etc. There are certainly other possibilities, but all sorts of crazy things get done to cars for want of a reliable ground connection. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/3 "2010-10-12T00:47:18Z")
``` I am guessing it is still under warranty. Keep all records. read the lemon law information for where you live. ``` Lemon Laws: [http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/bbb/lemon\_law.jsp](http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/bbb/lemon_law.jsp) [http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/](http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/) Just keep after them and run it up the line as you can. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/4 "2010-10-12T00:56:21Z")
Another possibility is a bad alternator allowing the voltage to drop intermittently. The control modules in this truck will go haywire if the system voltage drops below 12V. You may want to carry a voltmeter or multimeter with you to let you know if this is the issue when it acts up. ---
**Author:** ![StrongDreamsWaitHere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/strongdreamswaithere/32/2014_2.png) [@StrongDreamsWaitHere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/StrongDreamsWaitHere)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/5 "2010-10-12T00:57:03Z")
“Purchased used in '05.” Why do you keep advising lemon law claims when it obviously does not apply? ---
**Author:** ![fordfreestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@fordfreestar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fordfreestar)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/6 "2010-10-12T04:34:16Z")
Thanks for the great suggestion. The mechanic suggested letting them keep it for a couple of days and run a diagnostic hot and cold. So I’ll call tomorrow and pass this on. I’ll keep you posted. ---
**Author:** ![fordfreestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@fordfreestar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fordfreestar)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-issues/56244/7 "2010-10-12T04:36:26Z")
I’ll pass this on as well and if they still can’t find anything pick up a voltmeter myself to check things out whenever it acts up again with me. thanks!