Let me start by saying that I'm an electrical newbie and do not know much, if anything, about electrical systems.

I have a 2003 and my dash lights went out on me the other night. I was driving and I just happened to notice that they went out. I don't think anything out of the ordinary was going on and I know that nothing of an electrical nature had been modified in the truck. My guess was that the fuse was blown so I finally got around to changing it yesterday (#18-5A) but because it was light outside it was hard to tell if the dash was lit. I discovered last night that the fuse had blown again so I changed it again and it must have blown immediately because the dash never lit up.

What would cause this to happen? Could it be a bad ground connection? I know whenever I get out of my truck I get a shock. Maybe the two are unrelated. Any ideas or suggestions?

In addition to the dash light problem, if anyone has any ideas why my truck keeps shocking me I would like to solve that problem too.

Thanks in advance for the help.



Michael

 

The truck shocking you may be nothing more than static electricity, especially this time of year. Is it a 'one-time' shock or a continual jolt? More info needed to help with that...

If the fuse keeps blowing then you have a chafed wire/bad connection somewhere in the circuits that the fuse protects. Electrical problems with vehicles are a nightmare...

 

The shock doesn't seem to be limited to this time of year. It's a year-round thing. It's a shock and not a continual jolt, but it is a pretty good shock. Enough of a shock that I would like it to stop.

Michael

 

Something's shorting to your chassis. Best you can do is start pulling apart the dash. I wouldn't wait too long b/c it will fry your battery if you keep putting fuses in it.

 

For the static shock, I have seen some trucks with a piece of thin chain hanging down from the trailer hitch or under the back of the truck that just barely touches the ground. The chain is light and flexible like you might see on a screen door spring. The chain will occasionally touch the ground while you drive and when you stop. That discharges any static that builds up while you drive. I dont know how long it takes to wear the chain away...


If you only get shocked when you first walk up to the truck, you may need to get some different shoes or wear only cotton clothing. You could be the one generating the spark energy by scuffing your shoes or sliding across the truck seat when you exit.

 

Your problems are unrelated.

The static shock is due to your tires. They are probably rated for extremely high mileage (wear). These tires often contain less carbon and do not allow static charges to bleed off to ground while and after driving. Grounding straps or chains will probably help until you get a better tire on the truck. Spraying the seat with a fabric softener will help eliminate the charge generated from you scooting across the seat to get out.

The electrical short in your dash lighting circuit will need to be addressed by someone with a schematic, a meter, and the experience to perfrom the diagnostic. Your battery is in no danger since the fuse blows promptly.

Steve

 

Did you ever get this problem fixed with your dashlights it appears i am dealing with the same thing. Blowing fuses......

 

I think I have the same problem. I do not believe the shock is from the tires because it will happen even when Im parked and havent moved if I get in and out. Im actually having problems with my brake lights right now and Im getting the **** shocked out of me trying to test wires. I have a feeling its a ground somewhere, just not sure where to look. I def get shocked all the time getting in and out and its a good shock for sure, also got a 2000 ford f150 xlt ext cab