Electrical problem
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From: USA
Electrical problem
I am having an electrical problem with my '97 F150. When my key is in the off position, it acts like it is in the accessory position (door beeps, radio is on, etc.) I checked my ignition switch and it ohms out correctly. Also, my battery dies if I do not use the truck for several days. (This is a brand new battery that I just got, thinking that was the problem, since it was about 6-7 yrs old.)
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Denise
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Denise
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Hi Denise 
Does anything else stay on such as the heater?
A leaking windshield can cause water to get into the fuse box and short it out so things stay powered up when they aren't supposed to. The heater staying on seems to be the most common problem when that happens.
Does anything else stay on such as the heater?
A leaking windshield can cause water to get into the fuse box and short it out so things stay powered up when they aren't supposed to. The heater staying on seems to be the most common problem when that happens.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Idea
I dunno if this will help but get up underneath the steering wheel and look behind the fuse box at the wires running through there. I had my compass, blinkers, a/c inoperative and ABS light and PASSAIRBAG light on when key was in and just one wire was disconected back there. Like I said i dunno if that applies to you but you may wanna check it out. Good luck
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From: USA
local mechanic told me I needed a new ignition system and distribution cap...think he was just taking advatage of me being a girl...
Well, I disconnected the ignition switch, and the door chime still beeps and all the accessories are still powered up. I have an aftermarket alarm and remote start. I also disconnected both of those modules, and I still get the beep.
After reconnecting the ignition switch, alarm and remote start modules, I have another problem. The truck keeps running after I turn the switch to off and even after I remove the key. I have to pull a fuse to get the truck to stop running. Also, now all the inside lights stay on all the time.
Well, I disconnected the ignition switch, and the door chime still beeps and all the accessories are still powered up. I have an aftermarket alarm and remote start. I also disconnected both of those modules, and I still get the beep.
After reconnecting the ignition switch, alarm and remote start modules, I have another problem. The truck keeps running after I turn the switch to off and even after I remove the key. I have to pull a fuse to get the truck to stop running. Also, now all the inside lights stay on all the time.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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I had to take my 2003 XLT in for a problem that took them a year to find. It was like someone up above said, water was getting into the fuse box. I could go for 2 or 3 months, things would be ok. Then it would leave defrost on, or the dash would sizzle and light up and off on occasion. Power locks would act strange, etc. Even with the key out at times.
When dealing with water shorts, "anything" can happen, as water flows where it wants to. It is worth checking into.
When dealing with water shorts, "anything" can happen, as water flows where it wants to. It is worth checking into.
Last edited by ronxp2000; Sep 7, 2004 at 01:32 PM.
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From: USA
Tsb??
I did a little research and found TSB # 16928 (NHTSA item # 10002639) dated in 2003 with the following description:
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONCERNS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SOME ACCESSORIES REMAINING POWERED UP WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH SHORT TO POWER OR LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
I went to my local library to use their Alldata system, but could not find this TSB...
Does anyone have any more information on this TSB? It sounds like some of the problems I've been having.
Also, I have another question...
I notice that when I reconnect my battery, all of my interior and exterior lights blink for about 30 seconds and then stop. Does this mean something? Is it some sort of code?
Thanks.
Denise
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONCERNS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SOME ACCESSORIES REMAINING POWERED UP WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH SHORT TO POWER OR LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
I went to my local library to use their Alldata system, but could not find this TSB...
Does anyone have any more information on this TSB? It sounds like some of the problems I've been having.
Also, I have another question...
I notice that when I reconnect my battery, all of my interior and exterior lights blink for about 30 seconds and then stop. Does this mean something? Is it some sort of code?
Thanks.
Denise
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield, OH
GEM Module?
I had this problem when I first bought my 2002 F-150, it had less that 3 k miles on it and the elecrical system seemed to go crazy. I can't find the original paperwork but is seems like it was GEM or JEM module that was somewhere under the dash. Do your winshield wipers still work that was what got me was it killed the wipers, and I had to drive 200 miles in the rain at night to get home, not fun. I had all the other problems you are describing too.
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From: USA
So, I am still having this issue with my accessories staying powered up...
Last night I was trying to debug the problem and I found out that the door chime will stop dinging when I disconnect the radio.
I also found that the Accessory Delay Relay will click when I disconnect the radio and it clicks again when I connect the radaio again.
So now my questions are:
What does the Accessory Delay Relay do? I know it allows me to use the power windows for a period of time after I shut off the vehicle, but why does it switch with the radio connecting or disconnecting?
Why would my door chime (which was staying on when the key is out of the truck and my headlights are off) go off when the radio is disconnected?
Keep in mind, I have had this radio in my truck for about 5 years, and haven't had the door chime (accessories staying powered up) issue till recent months.
Any ideas??
Last night I was trying to debug the problem and I found out that the door chime will stop dinging when I disconnect the radio.
I also found that the Accessory Delay Relay will click when I disconnect the radio and it clicks again when I connect the radaio again.
So now my questions are:
What does the Accessory Delay Relay do? I know it allows me to use the power windows for a period of time after I shut off the vehicle, but why does it switch with the radio connecting or disconnecting?
Why would my door chime (which was staying on when the key is out of the truck and my headlights are off) go off when the radio is disconnected?
Keep in mind, I have had this radio in my truck for about 5 years, and haven't had the door chime (accessories staying powered up) issue till recent months.
Any ideas??
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
I'm not sure why the radio has anything to do with it unless you're getting a feedback from the radio to the GEM. I still think you have a fuse box or GEM problem and may just have to try replacing one or both to diagnose it.
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i'm really hoping it's not the fuse box or GEM...
I tried to rule those out...
I ran the tests that Alldata suggests on the GEM (they are just making sure the GEM is getting power...) and I took out the GEM to make sure it looks OK and I also measured resistors, caps, etc to make sure they look good. There is an FPGA on the GEM, but if that was bad, I think I would have bigger problems.
Then I took out each fuse and made sure they are all getting power.
The door chime works correctly when the aftermarket radio is not connected, so tonight I am going to install the stock radio to see if that fixes the problem...
When I exhaust all other possibilities, I will replace the fuse box and GEM...they are kinda pricey and I am on a budget...
I tried to rule those out...
I ran the tests that Alldata suggests on the GEM (they are just making sure the GEM is getting power...) and I took out the GEM to make sure it looks OK and I also measured resistors, caps, etc to make sure they look good. There is an FPGA on the GEM, but if that was bad, I think I would have bigger problems.
Then I took out each fuse and made sure they are all getting power.
The door chime works correctly when the aftermarket radio is not connected, so tonight I am going to install the stock radio to see if that fixes the problem...
When I exhaust all other possibilities, I will replace the fuse box and GEM...they are kinda pricey and I am on a budget...
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Keep in mind that devices are usually powered up by switching negative, not positive. If you have a traveling ground, you are circulating current to devices which keeps them powered up. Something is allowing a ground to move around in your truck. I'd put money it's related to the aftermarket stereo installation. Another typical problem I've seen is add on security systems. Check any connection made by stereo installers and make sure it is correct, tight, and no cable is rubbing where it shouldn't be.
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Thanks for the advice...I will check the grounds.
I already took out aftermarket alarm and remote start modules. They had gotten out of sync and my truck continued to run after I turned the key to off and took it out. After I uninstalled both units, the truck did not have this problem anymore.
I already took out aftermarket alarm and remote start modules. They had gotten out of sync and my truck continued to run after I turned the key to off and took it out. After I uninstalled both units, the truck did not have this problem anymore.
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