Weird beeping before starting

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Apr 22, 2011 | 06:41 PM

Fordenthusiasts

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Tuned

Joined: Feb 2007

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From: Kingman, Ks

Weird beeping before starting

Today when I went to start my pickup I turned the key and nothing happened. The dash lights (check engine, ABS etc.) were very dim also. So I left the key in the run position for a while, the dash lights stayed dim the radio didn't come on, then after about 10 seconds there were 3-5 weird beeps. Didn't sound like door open beeps, or lights still on beeps, but some computer type beeping. After the weird beeps everything came to life and then I tried starting the pickup and it started and ran just fine.

So the question is what were the beeps and what did they mean?

1995 F-150, 4x4, 302, MAF, OBD 1

Apr 22, 2011 | 07:22 PM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

check your battery cable ends and connections.

Apr 22, 2011 | 08:49 PM

Fordenthusiasts

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Tuned

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From: Kingman, Ks

Thanks, I'll check them, but why would things go dim and then come back to life after a little bit. Wouldn't they just stay dim?

Apr 23, 2011 | 06:18 AM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

sometimes a bad connection will reestablish itself. i see it a lot with grounds. once enough current passes through the bad connection, it will start working again.

Apr 23, 2011 | 09:28 AM

mojo79

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Joined: Aug 2010

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From: Charlotte

This may not be your issue, but I did encounter a wierd beep yesterday that I have never heard before... so thought I would share the info in this thread. I removed one of my dash panel bulbs (#194 bulb) and then turned ignition on. There evidently is a beeping sound thought alerts you that a bulb is out or not working. it's a different sound beep. I put the bulb back in and no more beeps.

Apr 23, 2011 | 09:45 AM

Roger T. Pipe

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Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Sandy Hook, CT

^^^^^ Yup, what Mojo said. This happens when you try to pull a bulb out on a certain function, say "Check Engine" for example. When the bulb is missing or burned out, you will get a bong bong bong sound in place of it. Its a safety feature, I believe.
Roger

Apr 23, 2011 | 10:19 AM

Fordenthusiasts

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Tuned

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From: Kingman, Ks

Thanks guys, that makes sense because the bulbs were very dimly lit and for all I know one may not have been lit so it may have triggered that sound, and now that you say that Roger, it did sound more like a bong bong bong instead of a beep.

So more than likely the no start problem and dimly lit lights was a ground problem?