OK, heres whats been going on. Not sure if its related but for about 3 weeks I've been hearing a slight roaring sound coming from the drivetrain. I initially thought it was my rear gears but after really listening I'm thinking it might be a carrier bearing, had one replaced before but that one was that scubbing rubber sound you get when turning, two different sounds here so I'm sceptable. Tonite the truck still had that very light roaring sound and was more pronounced when I would downshift but would quickly dissapear. As I was getting off my exit I was going down on a incline and proceeded to downshift so I can see if that sound came back I lost my headlight, instrument cluster lights, gauges down to zero, everything but the truck idled and no pedal action, nothing, couldn't even give it some throttle to safely get to a safe spot, had to coast it to the side of the road. Now, back to the headlights, I have the lights work, headlights and running lights and dash lights but no gauge function, their all dead. I have the automatic and manual light switch, they were on the automatic headlight switch option when everything went dead, turned to the left. In this position I have no lights period, If I turned that button to the right all the running lights and headlights and gauge cluster lights work, but the gauges themself are dead, no oil pressure, no fuel, trans, coolant temp exct. gauges are dead. I put my Superchips code reader on it and it came up Throttle positioning sensor, so it make sense. I started checking fuses but couldn't remember what fuse to pull. I looked in my book in the glove as to what fuse to pull but didn't see anything for the TPS or anything related in conjunction to it so gave up until I got it home.. Hey Tyler, no, it was running fine idling, no missing just no pedal action. Stewart, thanks man, I wasn't leaving my truck. My co-worker said why don't we leave it til tomorrow but it would have been gone in the morning..or stripped..

 

Man that sucks! you've offered so much help to me in these situations. sounds electrical to me. I know i lost the alt once, no batt light. but everything slowly started to quit. radio, defrost fan, headlights, then dash. then the truck died. not enough volts to run the computer. i don't think you're there but start with the basics. good luck

Barney

 

Mike it does sound like a fuse issue to me. IIRC there is one fuse that feeds the TPS and also the dash.

 

I'm not sure of the years and exact details,but isn't there an issue with wires in the steering column being chafed and causing this type of problem,it blows a fuse(not sure which one),...just thinking out loud...

 

I sure hope it's just a fuse, Mike. I guess this is going to happen with the age of our trucks. Good luck.

 

Any other member near you Mike that you could swap out the TPS just as a test?

 

Just saw this thread and I can't think of anything else to add except fuses. Perhaps a windshield leak?

 

Mike, based on your recent post...I would definitely look at your fuses. I don't have a fuse diagram for the 2003 models but my truck has a fuse that powers the APC module, instrument cluster, GEM module, OD switch , Idle validation switch and overhead console. You said your dash lights went out and your throttle was dead so I would check that fuse. On my truck it's fuse #19 (10amp), but I think they changed the fuse box arrangement around 2002 so yours will probably be different. At any rate, check whichever fuse powers those things.

The headlight switch automatic mode probably gets power from that same circuit.

Now, on to the source of the issue. You said you downshifted and the problems started. I am assuming you have an automatic (by your sig) so that leads me to suspect the wiring inside your column. If you do find a blown fuse then I recommend you check the wiring inside your column for some chaffed wires.

I hope it's a simple fix. Sorry to hear about your troubles last night. If I was nearby, I would have been right there to help if possible.

 

not sure if its the right type but i think i have my old TPS. It had an intermitent problem so i replaced it. If i still have it and you want to try it its yours. let me know and ill look for it.

 

Also try pulling the fuse for the PCM, wait a minute and reinstall. A long shot but when I lost all my gauges & dash instruments reseting this fuse fixed my problem.

 

FWIW, on my 02, there is an "Instrument Cluster" fuse (2 of them to be exact). When I pulled 1 of them out (cannot remember if it was 35 or 41), the cluster (all gauges and lights) and radio lost power. Everything else, including my throttle, was working fine.

Just as a thought, have you tried swapping any relays?

 

Its my turn Barney, I'm giving you a break, lol. Second time getting towed here but the first was under warranty, flat tire with no spare key. Found the problem, see below..

Your right Jim, see below my findings

This might be what I'm doing next Phil, see below..

I hope not Rick but gotta go with the flow, see below what I found.

Yea but I got it in my driveway, just got done inspecting it, see below.

No leaks although my windshield is cracked but no water leaks. It has been snowy, icey rainy, exct here so who knows. See below Chris, thanks.

Yep, automatic here and I checked the fuses, see below my findings and thank you Greg..

Your the man Shawn, hell of an offer but I think it might be something else, see below.

Didn't have to do that but thanks Rich. See below what cost me a 176.00 tow..

No relay swap but here goes. I went out and started the truck, no problem but still no pedal. I pulled fuse #13 #15 #19 per Clay and people here, nothing, fuses were fine. Pulled fuse #45 and walla, the 10 amp fuse was blown. #45 fuse is my (Ignition Switch Run/ Start Feed). What am I looking at, something in the collum?? I'm assuming since I downshifted, the wires in my collum are suspect, correct?? I'm going out to see what I find now and get back to you all, a big thanks. Even when theres no problems with my truck I bless this site and the folks on it for the help, this is certainly the Brotherhood at its finest..

 

you may find something like this. It's part of the harness that drapes over the steering column from the shift selector.

 

I am happy for you that you're at least getting this narrowed down Mike. Best of luck

 

Progress. Cool. Yeah, I would get inside that column and see what you find.

Good luck!