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Electrical gremlin issues, please help!

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Old May 6, 2023 | 11:14 AM
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itsrikka
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From: Indiana
Electrical gremlin issues, please help!

Fuse 38, 20A, Trailer tow park lamps and backup lamps.

Went chasing down fuses in search of an AC issue only to find out that F38 was blown. When I put in a replacement fuse, the parking lights, interior lights, and radio all decided to stay on with no key.

Curious if anyone else has had an issue with this and any ideas of where to start chasing down the issue? Already got the wiring diagrams from AllData, just thought I’d check the forums before delving into the project.
 
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Old May 6, 2023 | 02:46 PM
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It helps if you identify exactly what you are working on....

 
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Old May 6, 2023 | 02:55 PM
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itsrikka
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Sorry, SHO. Been frustrated and fighting these gremlins and forgot my manners. This is on a MY02 Excursion 6.8 Limited.

Current issues include the following:
- stereo randomly turns on and off
- windows won’t go up or down
- if the fuse is in, the vehicle thinks the keys are in the ignition

I originally started checking fuses for the AC but noticed fuse 38 was blown. I put in a replacement and went along my day. After driving it, the lights refused to turn off. When I pulled fuse 38, the lights finally went off.

The above issues persist regardless of fuse in or out.
 
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Old May 6, 2023 | 03:15 PM
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- stereo randomly turns on and off
- windows won’t go up or down
Those two sound like the Accessory Delay Relay or its circuit is intermittent, especially if those two symptoms occur simultaneously.

if the fuse is in, the vehicle thinks the keys are in the ignition
Now that one is really odd... It means that the F38 circuit is shorted to stuff it ain't supposed to be connected to.

1. Has this truck gotten really wet from either rain or snow melt just before these problems arose?
2. Have you inspected the wiring around the fuse panel for evidence of critters chewing on the wiring?
 
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Old May 6, 2023 | 07:43 PM
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Cursory glance, I don’t see evidence of any critters. I’ll pull the fuse panel out tomorrow and run through the loom.

It has been raining quite a bit here recently. What could that cause an issue with?
 
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Old May 6, 2023 | 08:14 PM
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What could that cause an issue with?
Potential water infiltration into the fuse panel or its connections/connectors causing mischief.
 
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Old May 12, 2023 | 02:26 PM
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My 2000 had a windshield leak that would allow water in around the drivers A pillar and allow water to drip on to the computer. Windows went down, radio came on, cd in and out, heater blower on and starter even engaged. All with no key. Had the windshield replaced and no problems since. Good Luck!
 
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Old May 13, 2023 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by itsrikka
Sorry, SHO. Been frustrated and fighting these gremlins and forgot my manners. This is on a MY02 Excursion 6.8 Limited.

Current issues include the following:
- stereo randomly turns on and off
- windows won’t go up or down
- if the fuse is in, the vehicle thinks the keys are in the ignition

I originally started checking fuses for the AC but noticed fuse 38 was blown. I put in a replacement and went along my day. After driving it, the lights refused to turn off. When I pulled fuse 38, the lights finally went off.

The above issues persist regardless of fuse in or out.
Those first two symptoms are cause by problems in the gauge cluster. You can pull the cluster and send it to @CircuitBoardMedics for refurbishment. I did mine a couple years ago and it has worked flawlessly since then.
 
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Old May 15, 2023 | 04:54 PM
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In my 2002 sometimes the Radio won't come and Windows won't. Not when that happens I open the Driver Doors and shut it tight and the work.

David
 
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