Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Ghost in the machine - electrical problem.

Old Nov 5, 2016 | 08:50 PM
  #1  
bonshates's Avatar
bonshates
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Unhappy Ghost in the machine - electrical problem.

Greetings,
I have a 2003 F250 Lariat 6.0L Crew Cab. My wipers, radio and power windows don't work. I have painstakingly checked every one of the fuses to see if there was one or more blown. All were OK.

I removed the fuse panel under the dash and have disassembled it to look for obvious clues, burnt wires/heat damage etc. but everything looks fine. Have pushed all of the fuses in to make sure they were seated properly. No joy.

I recently replaced one of the back windows in my truck and had to detach the rear dome light and I remember one of the wires sparking.

Any suggestions on where to start diagnosing this problem?

Many, many thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2016 | 06:08 AM
  #2  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Does the dome light still work after the sparking?
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2016 | 07:45 AM
  #3  
Sam I Am's Avatar
Sam I Am
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 20
From: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Originally Posted by bonshates
Any suggestions on where to start diagnosing this problem?
Your truck's owner's manual.

Since you never mentioned the fuse box under the hood it sounds like you don't know to check there for the fuses that feed the under dash fuse box.
"Checking every fuse" is a waste of time and effort. You need to check the specific fuses, relays, wiring, and circuit breakers that pertain to the circuit(s) that you are working on.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2016 | 09:43 AM
  #4  
bonshates's Avatar
bonshates
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
The dome light has 3 bulbs in it. The center bulb, for an open door, works but the two other don't.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2016 | 06:39 PM
  #5  
ligito's Avatar
ligito
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
Sounds like a blown fuse.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2016 | 07:53 PM
  #6  
bonshates's Avatar
bonshates
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ligito
Sounds like a blown fuse.
Yes indeed it was a blown fuse. I was confused by the fact that the windows and wipers stopped working at the same time.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2016 | 11:55 PM
  #7  
ghulands's Avatar
ghulands
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
I had that same issue. Found the fuse by going and checking each one as the owners manual didn't really give a good idea of which one it would be. Found it, looked up it's label in the manual. "Instrument cluster". Worst. Label. Ever.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2020 | 03:32 AM
  #8  
nortwoods cook's Avatar
nortwoods cook
New User
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Dimmer switch is only 4 wires?

Dimmer switch is only 4 wires? Van someone tell me why my 2004 navi has 6. Lol
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-1

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-8

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 2, 2020 | 04:28 AM
  #9  
Tedster9's Avatar
Tedster9
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Originally Posted by nortwoods cook
Van someone tell me why my 2004 navi has 6. Lol
Welcome to FTE!

No idea. None of my Bus - iness.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
f350rebel7788
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
40
Sep 18, 2011 05:46 AM
Neutron
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
19
Nov 28, 2005 11:09 PM
bartonl
Electrical Systems/Wiring
2
May 9, 2005 12:25 PM
winstoningram
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 19, 2004 08:16 PM
axlrose
Electrical Systems/Wiring
6
Nov 11, 2003 02:57 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:56 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE