Odd electrical problem - '04 F250
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Odd electrical problem - '04 F250
2004 F250 KR/V10, 24k mi. - completely stock except for SD Chargers sticker in rear window.
Today while driving over a moderately bumpy dirt road (as in small, closely-spaced 3" "whoops"), I experienced the following problem:
all gauges - dead
radio - dead
windows - dead
door locks (including keyless) - dead
interior lights - dead
exterior mirrors - OK
seats (including warmers) - OK
head/tail/brakelights - OK
engine/drivetrain electronics - OK
Curious symptom: if you turn on an interior light, the radio will start working, as will the windows. Gauges and locks remain dead. The interior light does not come on.
Also, when depressing the door lock switch, you can hear the underdash relay clicking, so control voltage is present, but the high-current feed to the relay (to operate the door locks) is missing.
Theory - either a connector has jarred loose (pretty lame design, Ford) or a main supply fuse blew. Turning on the interior light provides a return loop to the supplies for the radio / window relays thru the switch/bulb.
Truck is under warranty, but I hate sending it in for something so stupid - am wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problem.
Thanks,
Randy
Today while driving over a moderately bumpy dirt road (as in small, closely-spaced 3" "whoops"), I experienced the following problem:
all gauges - dead
radio - dead
windows - dead
door locks (including keyless) - dead
interior lights - dead
exterior mirrors - OK
seats (including warmers) - OK
head/tail/brakelights - OK
engine/drivetrain electronics - OK
Curious symptom: if you turn on an interior light, the radio will start working, as will the windows. Gauges and locks remain dead. The interior light does not come on.
Also, when depressing the door lock switch, you can hear the underdash relay clicking, so control voltage is present, but the high-current feed to the relay (to operate the door locks) is missing.
Theory - either a connector has jarred loose (pretty lame design, Ford) or a main supply fuse blew. Turning on the interior light provides a return loop to the supplies for the radio / window relays thru the switch/bulb.
Truck is under warranty, but I hate sending it in for something so stupid - am wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problem.
Thanks,
Randy
Last edited by rsm250; Jan 15, 2007 at 09:38 PM.
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my thoughts as well. can't be a (single) fuse given all the unrelated circuits that are out. I'm really sort of bummed given the pristine condition of the truck - very light use and now this. Hopefully an anomoly.
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Perhaps the Chargers will beat the Seahawks in Superbowl XLII
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I would look for a ground first you have alot of different circuits going nuts so it probably won't be a single fuse do you have any schematics? start looking under the dash first. I don't know if there would be just one connection with all that under the hood but a good reason to get a service manual.
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Since it's still under Warranty, I'd take it to them. Electrical issues can be time consuming and frustrating to track down.
If you really want to try and tackle it yourself, start with grounds. Loose or broken grounds usually create these oddities.
If you really want to try and tackle it yourself, start with grounds. Loose or broken grounds usually create these oddities.
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hey rsm250, hope this isn't to late,but wondering if you got electrical promblem fixed?I have a 2003 f250 where any given day and time radio,power windows.cargo light quit working,then come back on random times.I'm new here and seen this post,hope you can help. thanks
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Nope - not too late (I'd subscribed to this thread so was made aware of your reply).
Yes, the problem was fixed by the dealer and under warranty. Turned out to be a ground coupler under the dash. Basically the harness ties the grounds for a bunch of seemingly unrelated circuits together using what amounts to a giant crimp connector. The one in my truck had not been assembled correctly, and failed. They simply cut it out and put a new one in, and I've not seen the problem recur.
Your problem does sound similar - the randomness could be explained by an "iffy" ground connection: one that is loose and changes connectivity with motion/bouncing/jarring of the vehicle, for instance.
Yes, the problem was fixed by the dealer and under warranty. Turned out to be a ground coupler under the dash. Basically the harness ties the grounds for a bunch of seemingly unrelated circuits together using what amounts to a giant crimp connector. The one in my truck had not been assembled correctly, and failed. They simply cut it out and put a new one in, and I've not seen the problem recur.
Your problem does sound similar - the randomness could be explained by an "iffy" ground connection: one that is loose and changes connectivity with motion/bouncing/jarring of the vehicle, for instance.
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