Ignition switch or relay?
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Ignition switch or relay?
For a couple days, when i turned the switch to wait on glow plugs, I heard a weak buzzing coming from the steering column area. It almost sounded like an AC current grounding out (a vibrating sound that comes from the positive/negative pulse of Alternating Current) but this is DC. So, maybe it is a relay opening and closing rapidly. It drained my battery after 2 days. I bought a new battery...all good. Went to crank it the next day and the same buzzing followed by all dash lights going black and a interior lamp relay cycling rapidly until I pulled it. After I pulled that relay and key was completely out, a weak tone began to sound that would not go away until batteries were disconnected. Is this the switch?
I went to buy a new one at Advance and she told me it would take a dealer to program the key. Thats the first I heard of that. It is a 2000 7.3 4x4. I dont think mine requires programming but can I use the Advance Auto switch or do I need one that does not have to be programmed?
I went to buy a new one at Advance and she told me it would take a dealer to program the key. Thats the first I heard of that. It is a 2000 7.3 4x4. I dont think mine requires programming but can I use the Advance Auto switch or do I need one that does not have to be programmed?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I'd start by replacing your other battery also. 1 bad battery will just drag the good one down.
Sounds to me like the Glow Plug relay is trying to go thru it's cycle but there isn't enough available amperage in your batteries.
..and no, your truck does not need a key programmed at the dealership.
Sounds to me like the Glow Plug relay is trying to go thru it's cycle but there isn't enough available amperage in your batteries.
..and no, your truck does not need a key programmed at the dealership.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Oregon
If the new battery does not fix the problem, try this: with the truck making the buzzing noise, reach up behind he fuse panel by your left knee and feel the plastic housing on the back of the fuse panel. Is it vibrating like it is the source of the buzzing noise?
If the panel is vibrating, it would indicate that the GEM module is opening and closing a set of points for something that it controls. Knowing that you can begin a troubleshooting procedure.
If the panel is not vibrating, feel each of the relays plugged into the fuse panel. Does one vibrate? If so, that is the circuit with the problem.
Post back with your results.
If the panel is vibrating, it would indicate that the GEM module is opening and closing a set of points for something that it controls. Knowing that you can begin a troubleshooting procedure.
If the panel is not vibrating, feel each of the relays plugged into the fuse panel. Does one vibrate? If so, that is the circuit with the problem.
Post back with your results.
