Went out to lunch today and when I got back in and started up, my guages (fuel, speedo, tac, etc) are not working. Radio also not working but the heat readout works. Dummy lights come up as I turn the ignition key, but when running, none of them work. no 4x4 light, rear defrost etc.

Any ideas on what it could be?

 

Update. When I switched the lights over to brights, all the guages came back to life. Now the check engine light is on so I suppose next step is to head to AutoZone or OReilleys and get them to check the computer with their computer checking doohicky.

 

Maybe this post could help you.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-outs-but.html

 

Checked out the link. Might be something to look at. My engine is working fine, starts right up, drives fine.

Funny though, guages have been working fine but the check engine light was on. This morning when I went to head to AutoZone to have the computer read, the check engine light was no longer on.

Drove it 70 miles to go snowboarding, everything fine. Started it after snowboarding, guages not working. Flipped the headlights over to "on" position and everything started working. Drove 70 miles home with no issues.

About an hour after being home, went to the garage and started it up, no guages again... noticed when the headlights were set to auto, had no headlights, also noticed no interior lights, also no radio clock readout... switched over to headlights "on position and the headlights turned on, clock read out but radio still wouldnt turn on, neither would the interior lights. Put it in reverse and after a bout 10 feet, the interior lights came on, but still no guages....

This thing is posessed. Im wondering if it has anything to do with the cold. I live in Iowa and its been below zero quite a bit lately... doesnt seem to correlate with the engine temp at all though, the problem has come up when the engine is warm...

Another funny thing is the temperature readout down below the radio has never had a problem and the blower has always worked. Wonder if they are on seperate electrical systems or something... might be a clue...

 

Are you still under warranty? It sounds like a "ground" issue to me and different variables hot/cold, etc are causing it to become an issue. Check all your ground for corrosion, clean with sand paper, steel wool, file, etc and put some dielectric grease on the contact points helps prevent future corrosion.

 

Unfortunately not, 41,000 miles on it so the warranty just expired. Murphy's Law I suppose...

 

If you are the original owner take it to your dealership and ask them for some "after warranty assistance" If you are a long time customer mabye they will help you out, it doesn't hurt to ask...

 

I believe you have a blown fuse. I have had issues with the interior lights constantly staying on in my X and have found out the following while troubleshooting.

Remove your fuse panel cover under the steering column. On the row of fuses under the relays check the second fuse in from the left. Should be a 10 AMP (red) fuse. If it is blown the radio, interiors lights, and instrument panel gauges will not work.

To fix my interior lights issue so I can drive the X at night I had to remove the instrument panel and insert a switch between the instrument panel and the interior lights power wire from the instrument panel. My interior lights are working properly now but can revert back to staying on constantly at anytime. Driving the X at night with the interior lights on SUCKS!

DSMMH