I attempted to start the truck after sitting for about 30 minutes and it tried to start but then went dead. When I would turn the key once, everything would come on, all lights radio etc..but wouldn't start, the next try nothing would come on or it would be dim. The relay in the fusebox #1 was also clicking so I replaced it but no luck. I can jump start the truck and it runs but the alarm light, and alarm does not work. If I turn the truck off, it won't start again and the alarm sounds like it is going off. I hit the remote unlock and it goes off but the alarm is armed. If I shut the door and hit the lock button it won't lock but instead locks and unlocks on it's on and the alarm doesn't go off. If I use the key to unlock the door it starts clicking in the relay I replaced. Needless to say I just dropped it off at the dealer but it won't get worked on till tomm. Has anyone seen any electrical problems like this? I would normally check the alternator and battery first but with the alarm not coming on and going off along with the doors locking and unlocking I assumed it was something else.2003 ford f150 supercrew with 58,000 miles and all routine maintenance up to date.

 

Maybe a bit more info :

1. Alarm : Is this an aftermarket, if so what brand ?
1.1. Or are you refering to the stock Ford Anti-Thieft ?

2. Tried to start it, and it went dead ? Is this a crank - no start or a crank - turn over, idles rough, and dies ?

3. When you say Relay 1, is it safe to assume that you are refering to the pass compartment fuse panel, relay #1 for the interior lamps relay ?
3.1. I am guessing that this is the one, and the alarm is an aftermarket system.

4. Has the alarm been on the truck since new ? ( all 58K miles ).

I can make a few pontifications, but without solid info on these, I would be shooting in the dark.

 

It is the ford stock anti-theft alarm

Won't start---Won't turn over unless it is jump started

yes the relay is the interior light relay

The alarm was activated at the dealership when I bought the truck

I was also told by someone that their explorer did some of the same things and it was only the battery. Something about the fords and they have to have the exact current or it screws everything up.

 

That might be a good indicator that the battery is shot.

Kind of shocked that the battery went south that quick, but I guess it depends on how it was used during the service interval, or it could be a problem with the alternator. Dealer has it now, but the quick tests ( maybe you did this ):
1. Put the battery on a low AMP setting on a charger overnight to see if it recovered
2. If #1 didn't work, take the battery to a battery shop and have it tested, to see if it has an open or sulfated cell in it.
3. If #1 worked, and #2 showed nothing really broken with the battery, then check the alternator output / have it tested under load at a shop.

Guess the dealer is going to / should do these things and maybe more, just at a kind of a high labor rate ( unless warr claim ).

Good luck, hope you get it back today.

 

Well, it was the battery...When the voltage dropped it caused everything else to go haywire. They ran a check on everything and nothing is draining the battery it just went out. I guess if something like this happens again, I'll know what to do. To check everything out and put on a 80 month battery with a lifetime guarantee cost me about 100.00, so I can live with that. Thanks