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Hey gang. New user, former lurker.
So two days ago I took my 2000 Ranger in to get an oil change. All good, until the next day. The truck was dead. No start, no crank, no electrical. I opened the hood and saw that steering fluid had erupted over the battery, fuse box, and other critical components-mostly electrical. My guess is the service dudes overfilled, and the reservoir burped out the rest. It's never had any problem like this before. So, that said, trying to figure out what to do next. Need to identify some of these parts (pics attached). I'm thinking the steering fluid shorted out something, or possibly just soaked the connectors on the battery? Thanks in advance for your help.
First up:
What is this double headed thing bolted to the driver side? The wires are soaked in steering fluid. Starter?
Next, this the view of the engine where the steering fluid erupted. The black circular component in the center under the steering fluid reservoir. Any ideas?
Finally, I'm open to any ideas on what might have been damaged in the path of the spray and how to fix it.
Thanks again.
Last edited by steventhescott; 09-20-2018 at 11:57 AM.
Reason: new photos
First picture is the rear ABS module, prevents rear brakes from locking up in a Panic stop
Second pic looks like EGR solenoid or part of EVAP system, but either of those or ABS wouldn't drain power
What did catch my eye is the MEGA Fuse in second pic, at about 1:00 outside yellow circle, on outside of fuse box.
All the trucks voltage pass thru there
Hey thanks Jeff.. Just got home, about to clean the battery connectors. Appreciate you identifying the parts. Helpful! I'll post here if I see any results. Thanks for the heads up on the fusebox. I'll check it out.
Hey again I took a closer look at the big fuse. Drenched. What's a good cleaner?
Originally Posted by RonD
Welcome to the forum
First picture is the rear ABS module, prevents rear brakes from locking up in a Panic stop
Second pic looks like EGR solenoid or part of EVAP system, but either of those or ABS wouldn't drain power
What did catch my eye is the MEGA Fuse in second pic, at about 1:00 outside yellow circle, on outside of fuse box.
All the trucks voltage pass thru there
When you said mega fuse I immediately cleaned it. Might be it!
Originally Posted by Jeff R 1
To the OP.
That big fuse is supposed to have a cover on it too, at least mine does.
When you said mega fuse I laughed .But it's actually called the MEGA fuse. It does have a cover but it was unlatched and off to the side for whowknows why. It was drenched. I cleaned it well. Immediately I got cabin lights back on and door chime and a weak battery signal!
Waaaay more than I had before .
09-20-2018
