Electrical gremlins?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: yucca valley, CA
Electrical gremlins?
Hi guys,
I have an 02 excursion with 7.3 PSD. Today the wife tells me the headlights and radio have been coming on by themselves on and off through the day and now it won't start.
I think the no start issue is low voltage from the lights /stereo being on, but what could cause the root issue?
I checked it out, after removing the ignition key it is fine for a short while (30 seconds or so) then the chime comes on like the key has been inserted and the gauges and instrument lights come on like it is getting ready to start.
The glow plug light is also coming on, the engine cranks slowly but won't kick over.
Any ideas where I should start?
I have an 02 excursion with 7.3 PSD. Today the wife tells me the headlights and radio have been coming on by themselves on and off through the day and now it won't start.
I think the no start issue is low voltage from the lights /stereo being on, but what could cause the root issue?
I checked it out, after removing the ignition key it is fine for a short while (30 seconds or so) then the chime comes on like the key has been inserted and the gauges and instrument lights come on like it is getting ready to start.
The glow plug light is also coming on, the engine cranks slowly but won't kick over.
Any ideas where I should start?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: The Great White North!
Like Ken says, check your batteries, then check around main electrical box for any water. They are known to leak around the windshield and the water finds its way into there. Next check the wires coming out of the gear shift lever. They are also know to rub thru and create all sorts of problems with electrical.
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Senior User
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From: yucca valley, CA
With the keys out, the headlights, radio, gauges and glow plugs all appear to be coming on. It isn't trying to start on its own.
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Senior User
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From: yucca valley, CA
I am trying to get to the actual cause of the low voltage issue, which seems to be the ignition switch shorted to the accessory position internally.
I am thinking two new batteries would just get drained by the truck coming on without the key.
I am thinking two new batteries would just get drained by the truck coming on without the key.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: yucca valley, CA
Like Ken says, check your batteries, then check around main electrical box for any water. They are known to leak around the windshield and the water finds its way into there. Next check the wires coming out of the gear shift lever. They are also know to rub thru and create all sorts of problems with electrical.
Batteries were flat from the headlights and radio coming on. I put a charger on them and got it to start first thing this morning. Alternator is working fine.
Electrolyte levels in the batteries are good.
No water found in the electrical box; I didn't expect any since we live in the high desert LOL.
The harness in the column looks fine,; I don't see any wear marks or missing insulation.
Any other ideas?
I am letting the truck run a bit to see if I can get a full charge on the batteries. Could low battery voltage be the root cause here? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Is the battery voltage low the cause for the bizarre action of the dash and gauges or is the instrument issue draining my batteries?
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Senior User
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From: yucca valley, CA
OK, I replaced both batteries. Things seemed fine with one exception: the trans temp gauge is stick in mid-range at start up. The next day we woke up to find the stereo is on again, along with the guages acting flakey without the key in again.
Any other suggestions? Or should I just bite the bullet and take it to the dealership?
Any other suggestions? Or should I just bite the bullet and take it to the dealership?
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: yucca valley, CA
I charged the new batteries this morning to take the truck to the dealer, and now I can't get it to act up again. No headlights on, no gauges twitching, no stereo. Just acts like its supposed to now.
The only problem now is that the tranny temp gauge is stuck at mid range, even at start up. Not sure if the eliectrical issue cooker it or not, but other than that it isn't doing anything crazy right now. I don't want to take it in to the dealership on an intermittent fault when it isn't doing it.
The only problem now is that the tranny temp gauge is stuck at mid range, even at start up. Not sure if the eliectrical issue cooker it or not, but other than that it isn't doing anything crazy right now. I don't want to take it in to the dealership on an intermittent fault when it isn't doing it.
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Senior User
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From: yucca valley, CA
Just an update on this:
I sprayed some teflon based dry film lubricant into the ignition key and worked it back a forth several times. To me, it seemed that something inside the switch was sticking in the accessory position even with the key out. It didn't help, so I made an appoinment with the dealer and dropped it off two days later.
After I made the appointment, it didn't do it again. I told the dealership that I had an intermittent electrical fault that wasn't currrently doing it. They couldn't induce the fault either. The tranny temp gauge being stuck mid range is either a sending unit in the pan or the gauge itself, which can only be isolated by dropping the tranny pan.
I sprayed some teflon based dry film lubricant into the ignition key and worked it back a forth several times. To me, it seemed that something inside the switch was sticking in the accessory position even with the key out. It didn't help, so I made an appoinment with the dealer and dropped it off two days later.
After I made the appointment, it didn't do it again. I told the dealership that I had an intermittent electrical fault that wasn't currrently doing it. They couldn't induce the fault either. The tranny temp gauge being stuck mid range is either a sending unit in the pan or the gauge itself, which can only be isolated by dropping the tranny pan.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Any luck ???
Did you have any luck on fixing your problem, my 03 ex just started doing similar things today. When i take the key out the battery light is faintly on and then 15 sec later the radio and odometer come on. The past few days it has been starting like the battery's might be a little low but there are 11volts on each.
Let me know if you found anything that fixed your problem
thaks
cohusker
Let me know if you found anything that fixed your problem
thaks
cohusker