1997 F150 2wd 4.2 with auto trans (its a basic truck, no electric windows eventhough it has a GEM)

Can anyone help with any of these?

I have a few electrical problems that I hope are related:

1. There is a wire that is loose next to the ignition switch that looks like it snaps onto the outside of the switch (between switch and the steering colomn plastic cover) it has a brass contact that looks like it goes into the switch. What is this wire??

2. There is an alarm under the glovebox that I have never heard before (in any car) sounding off once and a while. What can it be telling me??

3. The wipers do not come on every now and then. Wires and multifunction switch seem okay.

4. I am on my second alternator. The first wined a couple of weeks like it had a bad bearing before it stopped charging.

5. The alternator now is only putting out about 1.25v about the battery instead of the 1.75v when I put it in.

6. How will an alternator go bad if it is charging a battery that does not have a full charge? Does that mean you can not jump start a car without risking an alternator?

7. The heater fan stays on without the key

8. Someone in the past broke the the lock for the steering wheel. I assume by turning the wheel when it was locked.



Thank you

 

My electrical problems seemed to have left with the rainy spell we had. A friend said that is not a good thing.

I still wonder what the wire at the ignition switch is.