97 F150 wiring poltergeist
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Joined: Oct 2005
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97 F150 wiring poltergeist
Anybody had a problem like this one?
While out of town, the following occurred while driving 65+ MPH on an interstate highway, in the rain:
- Wipers stop working intermittently
- Driver's side power lock and power window stops working (pass. side works)
- "4X4 Low" light (lower right corner of cluster) on and off, randomly (with the associated relay under the dash clicking in unison)
- Airbag indicator light (in the lower left corner of the cluster) on/off, randomly
- Light on the end of the shifter (5 speed auto) blinking, as in "overdrive is off"
The truck stayed in overdrive (verified by pressing the button and observing RPMs). (The overdrive light was incorrect - but I later determined that it could "fixed"by turning the engine off, then back on.) The truck never seemed to go into 4X4; my understanding is that it wouldn't anyway, as the truck was moving too fast. It seemed like the wipers could be "restarted" by changing the wiper setting to anything else (either higher or lower speed). There was no water inside the truck, anywhere. There are absolutely NO wiring hacks. The truck is dealer-maintained except for oil changes, light bulbs, etc. No evidence anywhere of wiring harness damage under the truck or in the engine compartment. It's never been in an accident, and it has rarely been off-road, and even then, it's been "babied" through the rough spots.
When the weather dried up, the only problem was the airbag light - which stayed on after blinking a few times.
Today, the dealer said it couldn't fix a problem that doesn't exist, so they only looked at the airbag indicator light problem, which they said was due to a shorted-out airbag controller ($400, and has to be ordered). The kicker - after they messed with it, everything works fine. Maybe reconnecting a few connecters was all that was needed?
While out of town, the following occurred while driving 65+ MPH on an interstate highway, in the rain:
- Wipers stop working intermittently
- Driver's side power lock and power window stops working (pass. side works)
- "4X4 Low" light (lower right corner of cluster) on and off, randomly (with the associated relay under the dash clicking in unison)
- Airbag indicator light (in the lower left corner of the cluster) on/off, randomly
- Light on the end of the shifter (5 speed auto) blinking, as in "overdrive is off"
The truck stayed in overdrive (verified by pressing the button and observing RPMs). (The overdrive light was incorrect - but I later determined that it could "fixed"by turning the engine off, then back on.) The truck never seemed to go into 4X4; my understanding is that it wouldn't anyway, as the truck was moving too fast. It seemed like the wipers could be "restarted" by changing the wiper setting to anything else (either higher or lower speed). There was no water inside the truck, anywhere. There are absolutely NO wiring hacks. The truck is dealer-maintained except for oil changes, light bulbs, etc. No evidence anywhere of wiring harness damage under the truck or in the engine compartment. It's never been in an accident, and it has rarely been off-road, and even then, it's been "babied" through the rough spots.
When the weather dried up, the only problem was the airbag light - which stayed on after blinking a few times.
Today, the dealer said it couldn't fix a problem that doesn't exist, so they only looked at the airbag indicator light problem, which they said was due to a shorted-out airbag controller ($400, and has to be ordered). The kicker - after they messed with it, everything works fine. Maybe reconnecting a few connecters was all that was needed?
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: State College, PA
I had the same thing happen to my wipers. But my truck is a 97 F250 LD 4.6L so the auto tranny questions I can't comment on. There is a TSB about water in the tranfer case can cause this to happen. I didn't know about the TSB until my transfer case failed due to lack of lubrication caused by the water. I wish Ford would send us the TSB's. I wonder if your situation is the transfer case wiring getting wet from the outside, i.e. exposed connection? Either way to be safe you should r&r the transfer case fluid.
Good Luck
Chris
Good Luck
Chris
