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Very Strange Problem

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Old Jan 1, 2006 | 03:45 PM
  #1  
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Very Strange Problem

I have a relay used to turn on my head lights when I start my truck. The relay broke and I had to replace it, I messed somethig up and now here is what happens:

When I shift into reverse (engine running or not), the left turn signal light in the instrument cluster turns on.
When I turn the key to the ON position after a few seconds the 'Rear ABS' light in the instrument cluster turns on.
If I start the truck and then press the brake pedal the left turn signal light in the instrument cluster turns on and the engine either stalls or starves for fuel.

I might have fried my fuel pump, it doesn't sound the same when I turn the key to the ON position.

I have no idea how all this happened, I was just replacing a relay with wires related to the lights, not the fuel pump or ABS.

I am lost.

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Joe: Red 92 F150, 351W, AT (E4OD), A/C, 4x4, standard cab, short bed, headers, MSD Ignition, Vortech Super Charger and some more. Owned since Feb. 21, 1996.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2006 | 05:36 PM
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It could be that you've messed up the relay so that you might be shorting one line or backfeeding another or both. Time to break out your meter and verify the wiring and voltages.

I'm assuming you're using a standard bosch "normally open" relay.

Control voltage goes to pin 86. this would be the switch 12v thats only on when the key is on.

Ground should be on pin 85

12v source goes to pin 30. This line probably comes from the battery or the solenoid so it may or may not be hot all the time.

12v output from pin 87 goes to the headlights only when the relay is 'ON'.

I hope this helps solve the problem.
Tim
 
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Old Jan 2, 2006 | 01:56 PM
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The relays are no longer connected so that isn't the problem. I started removing things one at a time to isolate the problem.

At this point the computer for the ABS is throwing error code #2, which means to check some things. I think once that is fixed I can then address the fuel pump to see if anything is wrong with that.

I suspect the fuel pump might not be working properly. The only thing I can hope for is something common between the two (like a fuse or relay) is fried.

I had it towed to a garage where they have some good equipment, hope they can make sense of all this.

Joe
 
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Old Jan 2, 2006 | 04:07 PM
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when i had to put a new core support in my truck i forgot to hook one of the ground wires back to the support....my ABS light came on and i had similar problems with my turn signals......once i hooked that ground back up it cured it all. Just a though
 
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Old Jan 2, 2006 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 19903024x4
when i had to put a new core support in my truck i forgot to hook one of the ground wires back to the support....my ABS light came on and i had similar problems with my turn signals......once i hooked that ground back up it cured it all. Just a though
I am not sure what you mean by core support but, if you were me (again ) where would you start looking? The same place or could it be a bad ground anywhere?

Joe
 
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Old Jan 2, 2006 | 04:20 PM
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The radiators cradle.......the big piece that spans from quarter panel to quarter panel......i had to basically dismantel the entire front clip to get it out. It had rusted through where it bolts to the frame so u could grab the quarterpanel and lift the front of the truck up.....major fun was had. The ground i had unhooked was on the top of the core support on the drivers side. From what i'v read it doesnt sound like u messed with that one but you might check it for fun.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2006 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 19903024x4
The radiators cradle.......the big piece that spans from quarter panel to quarter panel......i had to basically dismantel the entire front clip to get it out. It had rusted through where it bolts to the frame so u could grab the quarterpanel and lift the front of the truck up.....major fun was had. The ground i had unhooked was on the top of the core support on the drivers side. From what i'v read it doesnt sound like u messed with that one but you might check it for fun.
Interestingly enough, in this post https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=444893, I just got done replacing the radiator, (and in this post https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=437712) all hoses and the water pump.

I will see what the garage says and then go from there.

Thanks,

Joe
 
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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 04:15 PM
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I am so pissed off. I just got the truck back and it was the stupid ground connections.

I have some relays for the day time running lights, the relays are located just near the radiator on the driver's side. There is a bolt there I used to hold the relays down. That bolt is also the ground for the ABS and some other things. This I didn't know.

As soon as that bolt was replaced everything worked fine. Only cost me $100 for all the time they spent but I am pissed. I am not sure if I am pissed at me for being stupid or at FORD for the dsign.

As it looks right now this issue has been resolved.

Joe
 
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 07:47 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Popa Tim
It could be that you've messed up the relay so that you might be shorting one line or backfeeding another or both. Time to break out your meter and verify the wiring and voltages.

...

12v source goes to pin 30. This line probably comes from the battery or the solenoid so it may or may not be hot all the time.

...

Tim
What solenoid is mentioned above? I would like to use that if I can.

Joe.
 
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