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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 06:21 PM
  #1  
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Surrealpink
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Exclamation Help!!!

Hi. I have a 2003 ford escape. A few days ago the daytime running lights, only, started flashing like strobe lights. Now I have a dead battery. Anyone know anything?
 
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 06:35 AM
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Sounds like a short somewhere in the DRL circuit.

Pull the DRL fuse and see if the battery stays charged.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 02:21 PM
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Make sure your parking brake is completely disengaged.

One click up and the DRL should extinguish (shut off).

Report back....
 
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 08:04 PM
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welcome to the site.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 01:06 PM
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Ok... I replaced the battery, tested it, and the alternator is keeping it charged... if I pull up the emergency brake one notch, it disengages the drl and I don't have issues. I pulled both fuses in the enfgines for the daytime running lights, and they look ok, put different ones in and it didn't make a difference, they are still flashing.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 01:33 PM
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wptski
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Originally Posted by Surrealpink
Ok... I replaced the battery, tested it, and the alternator is keeping it charged... if I pull up the emergency brake one notch, it disengages the drl and I don't have issues. I pulled both fuses in the enfgines for the daytime running lights, and they look ok, put different ones in and it didn't make a difference, they are still flashing.
The DRL is operated by the DRL module and it may be telling it to flash! You would need a wiring diagram and a meter to diagnose the DRL module. Don't know if it's a seperate module or included into something bigger! I looked at a on-line manual and no relay is listed for the DRL either.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 01:49 PM
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Thanks... there are 2 fuses in the engine fuse box, as well as a module under the dash inside the car... acording to my repair manual... I am just wondering if I should try and remove the module, take out the fuses, and then not have running lights anymore... or if there is a short... will it still short out with all that removed...
 
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 03:27 PM
  #8  
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aquanaut20
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Originally Posted by Surrealpink
Ok.... if I pull up the emergency brake one notch, it disengages the drl and I don't have issues.
Does that mean they stay off? Before you go spending any more $$$ on parts, check the Hand brake circuit for chaffed wire , miss adjusted or defective switch
 
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 10:23 PM
  #9  
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wptski
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From: Warren, MI
Originally Posted by Surrealpink
Thanks... there are 2 fuses in the engine fuse box, as well as a module under the dash inside the car... acording to my repair manual... I am just wondering if I should try and remove the module, take out the fuses, and then not have running lights anymore... or if there is a short... will it still short out with all that removed...
If you can get to the module, just disconnect the cable(s). If your worried about it shorting out, wrap it with electrical tape.

Didn't know that you had a repair manual!!
 
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