I'm reaching WAY back here, but I had a similar issue with my 02 F-250. If you had asked me, I would have said CSM (central security module) but like I said, that was a long time ago. C and V sound a lot like. I had all the same symptoms with the exception of the clicking behind the dash. It was covered under warranty, but I think I remember seeing the bill would have been around $350 for parts and labor. The truck had less than 20K on it at the time. They didn't indicate that it was the result of other electrical problems, and I think that was my only warranty service while I owned the truck. If it was new for 02, then that would probably explain why it's cranky sometimes.

Hope that at least gives ya some confidence about knowing what's going on.