Electrical Problem - F-Series & SuperDuty Diesel Forums

Butch Cassidy · 11-20-2011, 06:40 AM

New batteries installed, now having the following issues:

- interior / cargo lights flicker

- speedo, radio, remote door locks are doing crazy

Any inputs, suggestions, experiences?

thanks,

Butch Cassidy

Butch Cassidy · 11-20-2011, 06:48 AM

Also I forgotto mention I checked under the dash for water leakage - none found. The #1 relay(interior light relay) is buzzing like crazy even with a new replacement.

I WD-40 the door jamb switches, I thought was causing the light flicker issue - didn't solve it.

The "OD" is flashing on the shifter, which started when the speedo went wacko.

I inspected the VSS harness and contact pins for breaks, corrosion, chafing - none found.

My questions are:

1. Is this a ground problem?

2. Is the GEM on its' way out?

3. Should I just take the truck to the dealer and have them figure it out?

I have tried looking for the simple fixes and I think the above needs the help of a real pro.

Butch Cassidy

BIG JOE · 11-20-2011, 11:45 AM

A Scan might help.

If you didn't replace the VSS ? Try that. (The VSS provides the PCM with allot of primary data.. that effects Allot of other things)

Then the GEM.

And it wouldn't hurt to re-clean/re-check the Battery connections.

A "Duh".. but Dealer Labor would be outrageous.. trouble shooting an electrical issue.

02Oilburner · 11-20-2011, 06:18 PM

Im chasing a similar problem. I've read about a problem like yours with the OD flashing. The wires that connect to the shifter with your OD switch may be causing the ground problem. Take the plastic cover on the column off and check those wires. this causes all kinds of problems like you are having.

Tbar · 11-20-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

1. Is this a ground problem?

Check the battery terminal connections and the ground connections to the frame. Take them loose and looked under them.

Tbar

Patrick Feeley · 11-21-2011, 03:50 PM

Also check the wiring from the doors to the cab for all doors. I had a short between the power window circuit and courtesy light circuit in my rear passenger door on the 1994 that caused all kinds of similar problems. Never a bad idea to check out the third brake light on the rear of the cab too. Cheers!

Butch Cassidy · 11-22-2011, 07:50 AM

Hi folks,

Just an update, I think I found the problem:

VSS was bad and I cleaned up the corrosion on the battery terminals (especially the frame mount end)

I also ran continuity checks on the existing battery cables - they are good.

Special thanks to Big Joe - VSS issue and TBAR - battery cable connections.

The cruise, door locks, radio, speedo, interior and cargo bed lights are now working (and Behaving) as they should. Also the "buzzy" #1 relay (interior lights) is nice and quiet.

Hopefully this takes care of the electrical issues. I am glad the GEM module wasn't the culprit.

Again, thanks to all for responding.

Butch Cassidy

11-20-2011, 06:48 AM	#2
Butch Cassidy SDD Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chelmsford, Mass Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Also I forgotto mention I checked under the dash for water leakage - none found. The #1 relay(interior light relay) is buzzing like crazy even with a new replacement. I WD-40 the door jamb switches, I thought was causing the light flicker issue - didn't solve it. The "OD" is flashing on the shifter, which started when the speedo went wacko. I inspected the VSS harness and contact pins for breaks, corrosion, chafing - none found. My questions are: 1. Is this a ground problem? 2. Is the GEM on its' way out? 3. Should I just take the truck to the dealer and have them figure it out? I have tried looking for the simple fixes and I think the above needs the help of a real pro. Butch Cassidy __________________ 2000 F-250, 2wd, PSD, Auto, Western Diesel TurboBrake, Gale Banks "A" Pillar gauges, Stainless Steel Grille Guard, Rhino Liner, Bilstein Shocks all around.

11-20-2011, 06:18 PM	#4
02Oilburner SDD Power Hungry Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 424 Thanks: 28 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts View Photos By: 02Oilburner	Im chasing a similar problem. I've read about a problem like yours with the OD flashing. The wires that connect to the shifter with your OD switch may be causing the ground problem. Take the plastic cover on the column off and check those wires. this causes all kinds of problems like you are having. __________________ 2002 F250 4dr 4x4 422k Highway miles I know thats alot! Beans Stage 1 Injectors, AFE Stage 2, 6.0 Intercooler, Bully Dog 4 Inch Exhaust, 203* Thermostat, DP Tuner, Shimmed FPR, Zoodad Mod., Boost, Trans, Pyro Pillar Gauges, 2 Inch Leveling Kit, 285/75/16 Mich LTX MS2, AirDogg II DF-165, AIH Delete, Suncoast Trans, John Wood Valve Body, Adrenaline HPOP I got her for $7000. Wide Open Performance 800hp 7.3 eventually Last edited by 02Oilburner; 11-20-2011 at 06:22 PM.

11-21-2011, 03:50 PM	#6
Patrick Feeley SDD Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tehachapi, CA Posts: 346 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Also check the wiring from the doors to the cab for all doors. I had a short between the power window circuit and courtesy light circuit in my rear passenger door on the 1994 that caused all kinds of similar problems. Never a bad idea to check out the third brake light on the rear of the cab too. Cheers! __________________ 1997 F250 SC 4x4 (CA model), E4OD, 4.10 LS, Relocated Block Heater Plug, Mostly Stock SOLD - 1994 F350 CC DRW 2WD, 5 Speed, SBC Con-O, Baldwin Filter, Tymar HPX Hose, DPPI DP, Bilsteins, $12 AIC, Coolant Filter, Explorer Overhead Console, A-Pillar w/ISSPRO Black Ice, EV Boost, and EV Pyro, Modified Pedestal, Gutted EBPV.

11-22-2011, 07:50 AM	#7
Butch Cassidy SDD Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chelmsford, Mass Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Hi folks, Just an update, I think I found the problem: VSS was bad and I cleaned up the corrosion on the battery terminals (especially the frame mount end) I also ran continuity checks on the existing battery cables - they are good. Special thanks to Big Joe - VSS issue and TBAR - battery cable connections. The cruise, door locks, radio, speedo, interior and cargo bed lights are now working (and Behaving) as they should. Also the "buzzy" #1 relay (interior lights) is nice and quiet. Hopefully this takes care of the electrical issues. I am glad the GEM module wasn't the culprit. Again, thanks to all for responding. Butch Cassidy __________________ 2000 F-250, 2wd, PSD, Auto, Western Diesel TurboBrake, Gale Banks "A" Pillar gauges, Stainless Steel Grille Guard, Rhino Liner, Bilstein Shocks all around.

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11-20-2011, 06:40 AM	#1
Butch Cassidy SDD Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chelmsford, Mass Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Electrical Problem New batteries installed, now having the following issues: - interior / cargo lights flicker - speedo, radio, remote door locks are doing crazy Any inputs, suggestions, experiences? thanks, Butch Cassidy __________________ 2000 F-250, 2wd, PSD, Auto, Western Diesel TurboBrake, Gale Banks "A" Pillar gauges, Stainless Steel Grille Guard, Rhino Liner, Bilstein Shocks all around.

11-20-2011, 11:45 AM	#3
BIG JOE SDD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CenCal Posts: 4,377 Thanks: 101 Thanked 392 Times in 381 Posts	A Scan might help. If you didn't replace the VSS ? Try that. (The VSS provides the PCM with allot of primary data.. that effects Allot of other things) Then the GEM. And it wouldn't hurt to re-clean/re-check the Battery connections. A "Duh".. but Dealer Labor would be outrageous.. trouble shooting an electrical issue.