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Lost Electrical Power While Driving - HELP!

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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 05:27 PM
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Lost Electrical Power While Driving - HELP!

I have a 2009 Ford E250 with a 5.4L engine in it. It just turned 200k miles. I have a leaking rear head gasket, of course.

Today, while driving I lost all power to the engine and electronics in the van.

Headlights and horn work..Cant get out of park...Haszards work..No power Key on(any position) anywhere. The radio doesn't work, no winshield wipers, no blower motor.
Batt 12.41 12.39 batt cable at engine fusebox 12.39 alt cable 12.49 starter cable PCM relay is 12.49

Not sure what could cause this? Any ideas?

​​​​​​​TIA

 
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 04:48 AM
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I'd dig into the ignition switch mounted on the bottom of the steering column. Look for burned wires or a visibly damaged switch housing.

It appears to me those devices not working are directly affected by the ignition switch.
 
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Old Jan 31, 2021 | 01:18 AM
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I checked that...Thanks....It is a wire with a short that is connected to that harness.
 
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Old Jan 31, 2021 | 05:43 AM
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check for codes - you never know, could point you in the right direction.

Clearly (or pretty clearly) something electrical that seems to maybe get too hot and fails, then works when cooled down.

Check all battery and alternator connections - make sure they look ok, are tight, clean.


 
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Old Jan 31, 2021 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by seville009
check for codes - you never know, could point you in the right direction.
Without power?
 
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Old Jan 31, 2021 | 05:24 PM
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Found it! It was on the #27 fuse inside the cab, which powers the ignition. (surprised all your engine power is controlled by this one fuse). I used a fused power wire to test each wire on the unplugged ignition harness. None of the fuses blew the fuse, but I saw a little spark each time I touched the white/red wire. The other wires and their systems started working with the jumper wire, but not the white wire's systems. The white/red is a key on activated wire, which is tapped for the viper alarm. So it looked like the key-on alarm wire was shorting out. So yes the alarm wire was the culprit and once I disconnected the wire it was fixed!!!
 
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Old Feb 2, 2021 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by alloro
Without power?
if his lights work, he has power 🙄
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by seville009
if his lights work, he has power
Power to the headlights does not translate to power for the engine electronics. From his initial post: "Today, while driving I lost all power to the engine and electronics in the van."
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by alloro
Power to the headlights does not translate to power for the engine electronics. From his initial post: "Today, while driving I lost all power to the engine and electronics in the van."
suggest that you concentrate on contributing to the poster’s issues instead of constant trolling....
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by seville009
suggest that you concentrate on contributing to the poster’s issues instead of constant trolling....
suggest you understand the definition of trolling before you accuse anyone of it.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by krewat
suggest you understand the definition of trolling before you accuse anyone of it.
Trolling is defined as creating discord on the Internet by starting quarrels or upsetting people by posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community. Basically, a social media troll is someone who purposely says something controversial in order to get a rise out of other users”

read and learn....
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by seville009
suggest that you concentrate on contributing to the poster’s issues instead of constant trolling....
You offered advice that was going to waste the OP's time, efforts, and possibly funds. One of my tasks as a moderator is to keep the the topic focused and the advice productive. If it is your intention to disrupt this thread for the OP, or to pick a fight you have no chance of winning, then let me assure you before you chose to continue that it will not end well for you.
 
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