Electrical Issues
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Electrical Issues
For the past couple of weeks I seem to be having some issues with my truck hope this rings a bell with someone - kind of odd symptoms - so here goes:
2002 F-250SD Crew cab - 7.3 4x4
Problem - after starting my AM/FM radio will flash on and off some times only once some times multiple times rapidly at a random speed and amount - only at start up and for the next 15-20 seconds, after that all is well. Also on start up if I step on the brake same thing radio goes on then off quickly only once, and usually only the first time I step on the brake - after that it fine. Same with the wipers and the blinkers - turn them on radio goes off the on - today it seemed like with the blinker on, the radio would go on and off timed to the blinker for about three or four cycles then it was fine. Everything else seems ok - I have not noticed any other electrical issues or things going on then off - Don’t know of this is a glow plug relay issue on start up only, but then why the connection to the brake / wiper and blinker? Need ideas and help
Thanks on advance
Chris
2002 F-250SD Crew cab - 7.3 4x4
Problem - after starting my AM/FM radio will flash on and off some times only once some times multiple times rapidly at a random speed and amount - only at start up and for the next 15-20 seconds, after that all is well. Also on start up if I step on the brake same thing radio goes on then off quickly only once, and usually only the first time I step on the brake - after that it fine. Same with the wipers and the blinkers - turn them on radio goes off the on - today it seemed like with the blinker on, the radio would go on and off timed to the blinker for about three or four cycles then it was fine. Everything else seems ok - I have not noticed any other electrical issues or things going on then off - Don’t know of this is a glow plug relay issue on start up only, but then why the connection to the brake / wiper and blinker? Need ideas and help
Thanks on advance
Chris
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 1
I've never had that particular problem, but the times I've had electrical problems that were intermittent such as this, I've always found a bad ground. That's where I would start on this one at least. Take off the grounds from the radio and clean them up with some sandpaper and clean where they attach to as well. Good luck. Electrical troubleshooting is all about patience.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Update - grounds seem ok - One each side of the engine block and a couple smaller ones in the feneder areas - and some behind the dash.
Today put a simple test light on the power going to the radio - when the radio flashes on and off I find no interuption in the power at fuse #11 ( 20 amp radio main) also only power at the 5 amp ( cant remember the #) when cranking. Now tonight it seems worse more on and off for a longer period of time - and the ABS light comes on.
Thanks
SBLG
Today put a simple test light on the power going to the radio - when the radio flashes on and off I find no interuption in the power at fuse #11 ( 20 amp radio main) also only power at the 5 amp ( cant remember the #) when cranking. Now tonight it seems worse more on and off for a longer period of time - and the ABS light comes on.
Thanks
SBLG
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 1
Alrighty then. That's wierd. Have you tried to check the wires going from the fuse box up toward the radio and just under the dash itself for any areas that may have been rubbed. Sounds like possibly there might be a short. Not a dead short that causes the fuse to blow, but a slight short can cause power interuption such as that. If you just rub along the wire looms you should be able to feel any area that's rubbed through.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Savannah
Originally Posted by SBLG
Update - grounds seem ok - One each side of the engine block and a couple smaller ones in the feneder areas - and some behind the dash.
Today put a simple test light on the power going to the radio - when the radio flashes on and off I find no interuption in the power at fuse #11 ( 20 amp radio main) also only power at the 5 amp ( cant remember the #) when cranking. Now tonight it seems worse more on and off for a longer period of time - and the ABS light comes on.
Thanks
SBLG
Today put a simple test light on the power going to the radio - when the radio flashes on and off I find no interuption in the power at fuse #11 ( 20 amp radio main) also only power at the 5 amp ( cant remember the #) when cranking. Now tonight it seems worse more on and off for a longer period of time - and the ABS light comes on.
Thanks
SBLG
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I was having the same types of problems in my motorhome (ford chassis), the grounds are the problem. Save yourself a ton of headaches and get a grounding bar. Just bolt it to the chassis and connect all of your grounds to it. I'm in the process of doing this right now and need a e450 wiring schematic, anyone have one handy?
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
For the ABS issue, do you have OBDI or ODBII? If so, spend the 50 bucks and get a cable to hook up to your pc. http://obddiagnostics.com/ has a great tool, My instrument panel is toast and I'm using a p3 800 I had sitting around for my instruments...
Cheers,
~E
Cheers,
~E
