Stranded Again!

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Jun 8, 2009 | 01:20 PM

#16

JaySVX

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2008

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From: Eastern PA

I would think that if the clockspring went bad, my horn wouldn't work, as well as all the steering wheel controls.

Jun 8, 2009 | 01:35 PM

#17

sddesigns

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From: Wharton, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaSheriff

Here we go again........... A good place to start is the wiring in the steering column. Bet you some of the wires have become exposed from constant movement and creating shorts. It's happening more and more in Excursions. Your symptoms sound exactly like mine when my wiring became exposed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySVX

I would think that if the clock spring went bad, my horn wouldn't work, as well as all the steering wheel controls.

Jay what Va is referring to is a potential wire rubbing within the steering column, it is something to look at even if it's not your problem.

It has caused severe damage if not totaling some Ex's.

Here's the link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...y-550-tow.html

Jun 8, 2009 | 01:38 PM

#18

Toreador_Diesel

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From: Houston, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaSheriff

Maybe worth a shot, but in 234,000 miles mine hasn't done it.

Another user on the forum Quietman, already had to change the alternator on his '05. Not sure what the story is behind it, but it sure says alot about the stock alternator.

Jun 8, 2009 | 01:43 PM

#19

VaSheriff

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sddesigns

Thank You, Steve. Saves me time looking up the thread!

Every Excursion owner out there would be well advised to check the wiring in their steering column. Especially before heading out on any long trips this summer. It is becoming a "major defect" in Excursions over time. A girl in my city lost her Excursion to fire, and the wrecker driver said he was sure it was this steering column problem because it started smoking in the steering column shortly before she finally jumped out and saved herself.

When this steering column wiring becomes exposed, one of the main symptoms is the batteries not receiving or holding a charge. Don't ask me why, that's just the way it is.

Jun 8, 2009 | 01:51 PM

#20

VaSheriff

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Toreador_Diesel

Maybe worth a shot, but in 234,000 miles mine hasn't done it.

I think several things cause it perhaps. Maybe those who grab the steering wheel to pull themselves up into an Excursion? Maybe those who use the tilt steering feature a lot? Maybe those who beat and bang on the steering wheel while their favorite tune is playing on the radio? The wires becoming exposed is definitely due to some type of movement of the steering column wearing off the plastic coating of the wires. When it first started rearing it's ugly face in my Excursion, I felt sure I had a major electrical gremlin that was going to be hard as heck to find. But the Ford dealer went right in and fixed it instantly. I of course paid the dealer $383 for the repair, but now since people know what to look for, they should be able to do this repair quite easy and quite fast themselves.

Jun 8, 2009 | 02:24 PM

#21

JaySVX

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From: Eastern PA

I was looking at the thread. While worth checking out, I did check all fuses yesterday to make sure none had blown, when it died. Also, after charging, instrument panel came back. If that wire was the culprate, that would not happen, correct? There would be a fuse blown and my instrument panel still wouldn't work.

Jun 8, 2009 | 03:17 PM

#22

VaSheriff

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySVX

All of the answers to the questions you pose depend on which wire is exposed.

Different wires being exposed cause several different symptoms.

At no time was my battery accepting a charge though. I could jump it, no problem. I could run it off an auxiliary battery, no problem.... until the auxiliary battery drained down. I could manually charge my battery and things were fine until it drained down. At one point my ABS light was coming on. Guages would stop working and blow fuses. Before I finally got it into the dealership, a dozen symptoms showed up. I think it all depended on which wire in the harness decided to touch metal at which time.