Bizarre electrical problem
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Bizarre electrical problem
2001 F150 SuperCrew, 2x4, 4.6L Check engine light has been on for awhile with an EGR error.
Today, it just clicks and won't start at all. All gauges are on and all dash lights blinking, but no turnover whatsoever. Theft light blinking quickly, ABS light blinking. Open door and try to roll down window, gauges jump every time I press the button. I disconnected both battery cables for 5 minutes, reconnected---started just fine. No check engine light. Drove around the block, then turned on and off 6 times with no problem.
Went to lunch, and on the way back check engine light came on. Pulled into the driveway, turned it off, started clicking and same thing happened again with the gauges and dash lights going haywire.
Any possible theories as to what it could be or where to start? Going to take it to AutoZone and get them to give me the code readout on it in a bit, but nobody that I know has any clue what it could possibly be.
Thanks for the help!
Today, it just clicks and won't start at all. All gauges are on and all dash lights blinking, but no turnover whatsoever. Theft light blinking quickly, ABS light blinking. Open door and try to roll down window, gauges jump every time I press the button. I disconnected both battery cables for 5 minutes, reconnected---started just fine. No check engine light. Drove around the block, then turned on and off 6 times with no problem.
Went to lunch, and on the way back check engine light came on. Pulled into the driveway, turned it off, started clicking and same thing happened again with the gauges and dash lights going haywire.
Any possible theories as to what it could be or where to start? Going to take it to AutoZone and get them to give me the code readout on it in a bit, but nobody that I know has any clue what it could possibly be.
Thanks for the help!
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Approx 12 months.
I've basically ruled out anything to do with the battery, alternator, or starter.
The strangest thing just happened, and maybe someone can shed some light.
I pulled the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and let it reset. Tried to start, no go. However, this time, the ABS light was blinking, and every time it blinked, I could hear a "cycling" noise (for lack of a better description) from under the hood. There would be a click, it sounded like something was pressurizing, then it would stop. It did this repeatedly for approx. 3 minutes, then stopped.....and then fired off perfectly when I cranked it. I've now fired it off three times in a row, no problem at all. It's running right now, and I'm going to turn it off and see if it will start again here in a second, but can anyone pinpoint a possible issue with the ABS system that could be causing this?
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Sounds to me like you have a bad ground or corroded battery terminals. Removing and reinstalling the terminals can temporarily restore the connection, but you probably need to actually clean the terminals.
If the computers don't get enough juice they will act strange.
If the computers don't get enough juice they will act strange.
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Sounds to me like you have a bad ground or corroded battery terminals. Removing and reinstalling the terminals can temporarily restore the connection, but you probably need to actually clean the terminals.
If the computers don't get enough juice they will act strange.
If the computers don't get enough juice they will act strange.
Bad ground I could see. Definitely not the terminals, as they are brand new as of last year when the battery was replaced. New battery, new terminals---only thing that stayed in place was the cables themselves, and they appear to be in good shape. First thing I checked.
What's the best way to check the ground wire and make sure that it's not corroded or worn? Honestly don't think that's it, but will try anything that might fix it.
Any ideas on the ABS problem I mentioned above?
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From: Colorful Colorado
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Not doubting you, just trying to get the reasoning behind this....
How exactly is it classic alternator symptoms? Everything works properly, and it's not a shortage of power whatsoever---lights come on fully, and when it does decide to fire, it fires instantly with no hesitation whatsoever. It has no problems when it's running, it's simply an issue of it starting.
I'm totally at a loss. Called personal friends at Ford service departments and they are baffled. I guess my only option is to take it in, but that scares the heck out of me when not even the service department guys I know can give me an idea.
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From: Colorful Colorado
the lights blinking...all of them...the new battery....doesn't make sense that a 10 year old truck would have a ground go a miss unless you have been tinkering underneath...your problem is the alternator
I'd bet $5 if you were to take the alternator off and take it to AutoZone, it would test bad...do it...it's not that hard to pull off and if it's bad, you are already 1/2 done with your repair
I'd bet $5 if you were to take the alternator off and take it to AutoZone, it would test bad...do it...it's not that hard to pull off and if it's bad, you are already 1/2 done with your repair
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