I could really use some help diagnosing my problem. The truck has always fired right up every time until this week Monday when out of the blue it won't even crank over. Here is what I am dealing with:

2001 Expedition 4.6L
- the inside and outside lights flash/flicker rapidly with the door open.
- key in start position causes rapid clicking from the engine compartment.
- back off the key, then the locks lock and unlock and gauges max and reset.
- the day before this happened the radio was cutting out randomly.
- seems like there is a battery drain.
- the odometer has been cutting in and out (ongoing problem, maybe unrelated.)

I'll be honest, my troubleshooting skills have dulled since the internet started making it easier to find the answers. I tried ruling out the battery by jumping it (unsuccessfully), but the symptoms remained. I noticed that a relay was clicking while the door was open and lights were flashing. Second one down from the top left. Unfortunately I can't afford to just throw money at the problem. Searching online the last few days have not revealed a concrete answer.

Anyone fix this problem or come across the solution?

 

Bad battery, connector, or cable would be the most likely suspects.

 

Probably a dead cell in the battery.

 

Alright guys, I will try replacing the battery and see if that helps. I appreciate the feedback. I will let you know if that fixes things.

 

I just wanted to draw this thread to a close. The fresh battery did the trick. I don't know why I didn't try that first. I must have dismissed it when jumping it did nothing. But thanks for the help. Saved me a bunch of headache.