Need Help Quick
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New User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Milford,Ct
Need Help Quick
I have an 02 250 gas engine. truck wont start. When i turn the key all my gauges start acting weird. I can hear what sounds like something shorting out near the fuse box. when i pulled one of the relays it stopped, but then i can hear a different clicking noise that sounds like its behind the dash. When i hear the sparking or shorting out sound the idiot lights are all flickering and very dim. any ideas
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
First thing that comes to mind is weak batteries, or dirty battery posts. I would start there. Hook up a set of jumper cables or a battery charger and see what that does. Weak batteries will make all of the electrical stuff go crazy. Try turning on your headlights when you turn the key on. If they go real dim or out, then one of the 2 ideas are likely your problem.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: Canyon Country, Ca
Sounds like a weak battery. just went through this with my commuter car. Did the same as you are describing. Gauges and lights, clicks. It was the battery.
Last edited by V10ZILLA; Feb 2, 2011 at 07:01 PM. Reason: info
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Florida
Mine has a dagblamed theft prevention module wired in aftermarket. It's got a Ford logo on it, but was obviously installed after factory. it has three plugs and probably about 12-15 wires. It keeps the starter from engaging and blows the horn unless the door open switch is pressed, either on the door or the key fob. Once in awhile, it seemed to go bonkers, clicking and clacking under the dash, just right of the steering column. I redid all the tacky connections the installer used, and clipped the wire to the horn, and it was fine for about 2 years. Then just the other day, no crank. Had to pop the panel and simply tapped on the thing and off we went! I tried to learn more about the damn thing so's I could remove it. But factory customer service would only refer me to a dealer, and the local dealer never heard of such a thing. 
It still does weird things with a blinking light on the lower dash that's connected to it, but all I can do is cuss it and try to ignore it.
Sorry so long winded, but saw yours is the same year, just wondering!
Good luck with it brother.
It still does weird things with a blinking light on the lower dash that's connected to it, but all I can do is cuss it and try to ignore it.Sorry so long winded, but saw yours is the same year, just wondering!
Good luck with it brother.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Milford,Ct
well i dont have an auto starter or an alarm of any kind. only thing i have is an aftermarket remote that opens the door locks only. That is still working. If i try to turn on the headlights everything else turns off ( dome lights, dash lights , under hood light ) when key is on . Now , i dont have any power going to dome lights or anywhere else.
The battery seems to be fine its only about 2 months old. I have no idea what is going on.
The battery seems to be fine its only about 2 months old. I have no idea what is going on.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Florida
If your battery is indeed charged up to snuff, you're loosing voltage somewhere. Have you tried to jump start it? Check that your battery connections are shiny and tight. Check where the ground cable is bolted to the engine or frame, again, shiny and tight. Check ground straps from chasis to engine.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
I agree that it's a voltage issue. There are too many things acting up that are totally unrelated other than the fact they need electric to operate. Check the connections on the starter solenoid.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 1
From: Canton, IL
Battery posts, take them off and use a batttery post brush on them. I learned that if the posts and insides of the battery clamps are not shiny, your losing power and voltage to resistance of passing power through a bad connection. If your posts are dark colored, you have lead oxide buildup. make them shiny, replace the pinch bolts. I bet that gets her started.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Milford,Ct
Resolved
thanks everyone for all your input. Turns out to be a ground problem as some of you stated. the clamp that pinches the ground wires on the neg. battery cable was loose, therefore bad ground. thanks to all