Hello All. I have a '99 F-250 super duty xtended cab long bed 4x4 Lariat w/ manual locking hubs. I noticed when it rains I have crazy things going on. Today it rained a lot. When I went outside to get the mail. I heard the igniton turn on all by itself. Then the door locks started locking and unlocking constantly. I tried to start the truck and it started but wouldn't shut off. It ran for about 30 min. before it decided to shut off, but the ignition came back on. I tried to unplug the ignition plug under the dash but it didn't help. I had to disconnect the batteries to keep them from going dead over night. The other thing when it gets colder out the heater blower motor sometimes stays on after I shut the truck off. I don't know if this is related or not but this is frustrating. I've always owned Fords but this one has been one thing after another. First the front hub bearing went bad and took out the axle. The rear diff is smelling hot all of a sudden. The transmission is slipping into gear funny on the third to forth and after shifts. Now I was told I have a bearing going out of the engine. All this with 144k on the clock. I bought it used from a Ford dealer. Any help would be appreciated Thank you.

 

Be gone Troll

 

Welcome to FTE. You have found greatest group of people around.
It sounds like the is water getting in by the windsheild and leaking behind the dash. Look at the fuse box under the drivers kick panel and I'm willing to bet that you find water or signs of water. Some guys have run water from a hose just to see where the water is coming from.

Check the rear diff fluid level. Are there any signs of leakage?
Does the trayy fell funny with the od on or off? If on then it is "normal" mine does it.
How long have you had the truck? Is it still under dealer warranty?

 

I agree with relating rain and moisture to funny things happening electrically. Moisture has gotten to some electronics maybe.

 

I did look under the dash and felt behind the fuse block. It was dry. I didnt see any signs of water. I too have heard other people having problems with this. Every where there is electric that I could see or touch was dry, even under the hood. I drove the truck all day and had no problems. It started acting up after it set for about an hour. Also I changed the lube in the rear end and checked for leaks. It dosen't even seem to make a sound when driving(if you could here over the engine). When I drive a longer distance it smells real bad. The Truck ran flawless for 1 year after I bought it as is no warranty.

 

It definitely sounds like it could be a VSM/GEM issue.

 

If your dry, then odds are it's the GEM. some '99's and 02's seem to have an occasional electrical issues.

There were several PCM flash updates for the transmission shifting issue. Check with a dealer service dept to see if any of that was ever done.

Austin

 

O.K. I hooked the batteries back up this morning and it did the same thing. Out of desperation I started fooling around with some wires and plugs under the dash. I tugged on some wires to the right of the steering column and it stopped acting up imediately. I checked the wires and they seem fine but they lead to a black box of some sort almost under the radio. I can't reach it or barely see it. It looks to be some sort of block with relays in it. Any Idea what this is??? Thanks John

 

Let me know what you find? I dropped mine (99 F250SD CREW CAB V10) off @ the Ford dealer today for horn that honks by itself when noone's in the truck, Blower motor stay on when you turn off the key, SES light. All intermitent usually when it's cold & wet?

astro99sd

 

Let me know what you find out if you would I haven't figured mine out yet. I just tooke the horn relay out and make sure I turn off the fan control on the dash. I thought it could be some kind of short from the wet or could weather but I still haven't been able to fix it. Thanks for any help you can give. Sorry I couldn't be more help!

 

If nothing else, maybe an exorcism might help...

 

We had the GEM & one sensor replaced as per the Ford dealers' diagnosis from codes & pinpoint tests. Everything seems to be fine & our trip to the dunes the day after we got it back went well. It's been two weeks so far, but it worked good for years before we had any problems

The dealer said they couldn't find any signs of water damage, but as I posted in another forum I found a small drop of water on the hood release handle while I was doing the weekly fuel & wash routine this weekend. upon futher investigation & contortions I crawled under the dash as far as I could & saw a spot of light that looked like it could be where the water could enter from The windshield has a chip, so when I get it replaced we'll investigate further & be sure the water doesn't have a path of entry from up there It seemed to be in the area near the corner of the windshield & the hood

Astro99sd