Electrical issue

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Apr 20, 2011 | 12:00 AM

Jamerian

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Joined: Mar 2011

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Electrical issue

I noticed today that my power accesories dont turn on for a while after cranking. its kind of annoying when its been sitting in the sun and i want to badly open the windows. I havent put a stereo in so i dont know if its affected. I repair vehicle electrical for a living and im pretty sure that the accesories are controlled by a delay relay which is also controlled by the GEM or SJB... (not sure which it has, havent consulted a diagram yet). Probably GEM though.. either way, is it a common problem for the X or f250,350 etc? i have never seen this.

Apr 20, 2011 | 01:08 AM

ke6zmy

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 391

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Just a thought...

I recently had an alternator go out. In the process the batteries were charged a couple of times so I could drive the X. As the battery power went away I would lose electrical features. I was told that in these, and other modern vehicles, as the batteries lose power some functions begin to go away to conserve power for the engine. Starting with the least important features. For example; You would lose radio power before you lose speedometer power.

Perhaps you are losing features until the alternator can power the batteries back up to an acceptable level before the features are re-established.

Just a thought.

Apr 20, 2011 | 12:16 PM

JaySVX

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,955

Likes: 6

From: Eastern PA

There are electrical gremlins that I've come across. When my accessories don't turn on when I start the truck, All I have to do is switch the headlights from auto to on and back to auto, and my other electrical stuff comes back. No idea why/how, but it works. Might want to give that one a try.

Apr 20, 2011 | 12:23 PM

luxury

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 242

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From: Chippewa Falls, WI

It could be the "battery saver relay" that is built into the instrument cluster. Check out this thread.

Apr 20, 2011 | 12:37 PM

ke6zmy

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 391

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On my my F350 I have an issue that, now and then, when I turn on the truck the wiper does not work. I changed the wiper switch and realized that the windows and gauges seem to also be affected. And the new switch did not have an effect on the issue.

Somehow I learned that when this happens I have to pat the cover in front of my knees, about where the fuses are, like I was patting a lady on the fanny. Then all works fine for awhile.

I will be interested in what you find is the actual issue you have.

Apr 20, 2011 | 08:02 PM

Jamerian

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Joined: Mar 2011

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so i go out to work on it this afternoon and i realise that the starter selenoid is now gone lol... i have one ordered so as soon as i get that in.. ill check the cluster and fuse box... my boss mentioned that theres a common problem with the GEM developing a weak ground.