I thought my chip was acting up on me. Truck was shifting really late into overdrive. Then on friday I went to start the truck. The ignition started beeping when I put the keys in. I also got the WTS light like normal. But as soon as I turned the ignition to start, the truck did not crank or turn over nothing happened the truck died killing all power, lost my lights, etc. I put the keys back in and no beep the truck was dead. I took the battery cables off and replaced them. I was able to get power back, but when I tried starting it again same thing happened.

So yesterday I removed my chip and the truck started right up. But my truck was still shifting late into overdrive. So I don't think my chip is my shifting issue.

But today I went to go run my dog and with out the chip in there, I tried starting it and it killed the truck again. I just inspected my fuses which were all ok. I also do not have a CEL.

So im assuming I have a short in the system any ideas? What would kill my truck like this and cause me to have to reset the battery to get power to the truck again?

Thank you

 

Check the starter relay on the fender to see if the side with multi wires on it is clean and tight. Ford uses the relay to get power to the fuse panels.

 

This may sound stupid, but does the third brake light work? (the one behind the cab)

 

Ill inspect when I get home but, it was recently replaced in the summer, just from a parts store.


Ill check that out, but before or after my truck loses power because i doubt any of my brake lights work after I turn the ignition.

 

You may have ground issues. I have seen guys with problems have the third brake light not working. Replace the bulb and the problem is "fixed". What happened by replacing the bulb was that whatever needed electric was backfeeding the ground through the light. When you get to looking on these trucks there are several ground wires running from the frame to the body, the motor to the body, and off the battery grounds themselves. There's a ground wire running from the frame to the body under the drivers door that is good for loosing connection.

 

It's not the relay itself at issue. The accessories don't use the relay per se, they just use the terminal on the relay as a junction point. Maybe the nut holding all those wires onto that junction point has come loose since the installation last year, and that would cause intermittent issues like this.

Ground and main battery connections are the other big suspects.

 

I found one lose ground. Tightened it then started the truck w no issues.

My 3rd brake light is out. So I will replace that is well. Hopefully my issues are solved.

 

Glad you found the problem and got it fixed!!!