Hello,

I am looking for help on an 04' F-150 XLT Super Cab, with a 4.6 V-8.

Last winter, the ignition began to stay on after the key was removed. It initially only happened when it rained. The truck would turn off, the gauges shut down, and all was quiet for 2-3 seconds. Then the electronics would turn back on as if the key was in the run position. No rain, no problem.

Then during this past summer it stopped. Presumably when all the materials expanded, the water/moisture leak sealed itself.

This winter the problem has returned, and is much more problematic. I have overcast cloudy days when the truck kills the battery for no known reason. Now the gauges don't even stay on, but the battery is drained.

I have talked to a couple of dealers, and they have never heard of this problem. At $90 per hr, I am not in a position to let them experiment for a day or so with out any direction. The truck has just turned 100K on the odometer, and has worked perfect for the entire ride. There are no malfunctions on any other system. There are no indications on the information panel, and all other electronics function perfect.

I am at my wits end trying to figure out what to do. I asked the dealers about a recalls or service bulletins. The truck had the tail light recall where they removed the foil insulation and replaced it with a spray in type of insulation.

I am to the point of carrying a wrench and every time I exit the truck, I unhook the battery. If I can get this resolved, the truck should be good for another 100K.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks,
Curly

 

A quick test, I would think, is to swap out or replace the accessory delay relay relay.

You can swap this with the high beam relay, so you do not need to purchase a relay.

The trigger for this, is from the instrument cluster, and is fed through fuse F22,10 A and fuse F401 30A

The accessory delay relay coil is grounded from the circuit on the instrument panel.

I know it is the wrong time of the year to be playing games, but a suggested check would be:

T1. charge battery
T2. start and run truck as normal
T3. stop turn off, and pull relay R02
T3.1. check if battery is dead within time frames noted before
T4. If not, follow T1 & T2, then pull fuse F22
T4.1. check if battery is dead within time frames noted before
T5. If not, follow T1 & T2, then pull fuse f401
T5.1. check if battery is dead within time frames noted before

This will test from the start if the relay ( or if you swapped the high beam relay ) the control signal from the instrument cluster.

If pulling the relay is not the cure, that is something else I would need time to think about, no quick ideas on that right now. maybe someone else saw the same symptoms and can help out, I am just taking a SWAG right now.

 

Thank you SSCULLY,

I will need to get a better understanding of your instructions. I am a little light in the auto knowledge.

I understand fuses, but not the relays. Where would they be located, and are they number like the fuses.

I started her up this morning fine, and then went to the car wash. After being washed in an automated wash, the battery was dead after being toweled off. I am guessing I may need to replace the battery soon as so many drains has probably killed it.

The brake pedal also has a squeek when being returned from depressed. This is making me wonder if there is water getting in around the pedal. I have looked at the carpet, and it is always dry.

 

The relay I am referring to is in the central junction box ( CJB , cab fuse panel ), same place as the fuses.

You owners manual has a picture of the location numbers starting on page 191.

There is also a numbering diagram on the fuse box cover, but the description is not on the cover.