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Ford Expedition Electrical Problems

281 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 11:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, Electrical, SUV

Messages Page 22 of 29

#205 of 281 99' Expedition Electrical Problems when it rains... by nomorefords4me

Feb 14, 2011 (8:07 pm)

Hello everyone, Im new to this forum and would like to chat about my electrical problems that I think I now have an answer to due to some posts I have read. First off I just purchased a 1999 Expedition EB A4wd with 70k miles. After test driving it and running it around town for a couple of days (all good at this point) I decided to give the new truck a bath. WOW! This thing does not like water! I came home the next day from work to find the A/C Blower motor running and the dash lights blinking so I disconnected the battery. The battery was drained so I charged it back up. The next day I reconnected the battery and cranked it up. The radio cut on and off, all the service lights on the dash flickered, the starter kept engaging and numerous other things began to act up.
   After a few days passed and I spent some time on the computer doing a bit of research, I found multiple cases where the front windshield would leak causing a very small amount of moisture to enter the wire harness under the dash, the fuse box, the computer and so on. I took apart the underside of my dash and found a very small amount of corrosion on two connectors. I cleaned them best I could and let the truck sit for a few days with the windows cracked down just a bit.
Today I ran the crap out of it with no problems?
   I plan on replacing the factory windshield next week as this is obviously a manufacture defect that ford has known about as far back as 2002 as has done nothing about. BS
Now for the kicker... I just sold my 2007 King Ranch F-150 with only 42k miles for $9000 less then its true value due to a problem ford has had with there pis poor spark plug design on the 3 valve 5.4 V-8. and before that a constant hassle with that POS 6.0 Liter Diesel.
Needless to say, I for the love of god will never buy a another ford vehicle as long as I live.
The fact that they have problems is one thing, The fact that they dont step up to the plate and correct there problems is why this one is my last!
I will post back after changing the windshield and let you all know if that was the problem.
 
Thanks for your time,
Brian

#206 of 281 Re: 99' Expedition Electrical Problems when it rains... [nomorefords4me] by alwaysfords2

Feb 15, 2011 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: nomorefords4me (Feb 14, 2011 8:07 pm)
If you sold a truck for 9k under value because of a sub 1k plug job you made a bad choice.
 
I think you are the right track with the windshield.

#207 of 281 Re: 2003 Eddie Bauer Exped. Electrical Issue [rjmccray] by roushcupcar

Feb 20, 2011 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: rjmccray (Nov 28, 2010 7:04 pm)
got some of the same issues with my 03 EB expedition. did you figure it out yet? Im leaning towards a water leak from windshield making its way to the fuse panel located by the parking brake.did not have a dead battery yet but auto lights,interior lights,false door ajar warning,4x4 lights flashing also. what a piece of junk!

#208 of 281 Re: 2003 Eddie Bauer Exped. Electrical Issue [roushcupcar] by nrmatth

Feb 20, 2011 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: roushcupcar (Feb 20, 2011 1:59 pm)
I've heard it's the GM Module

#209 of 281 Re: 2003 Eddie Bauer Exped. Electrical Issue [nrmatth] by kd4kmz

Feb 21, 2011 (9:28 am)

Replying to: nrmatth (Feb 20, 2011 2:25 pm)
It is in the instrument panel, try this, unscrew the two screws that are holding the cover in place, do nothing else, the next time the windows or radio don't work, just push on your instrument panel and walla you will see it it there, some thought it was the connector, that is not it, it is a condition where teh temepature or humniiduty in the vehicle is affecting the dispaly unit wher it is releasing the ground, that is why you see the flickering, note this is only for 2003 units built in 2002, from all the blogs I have reviewed. Your door ajar and lights on is due to the attuator in the door, see the blogs about spraying WD40 in the doors and working them until it goes away, the atuators get gummed up after a period of time

#210 of 281 Ford Expadition Electical problem getting worse by peapaaw

Feb 24, 2011 (4:01 pm)

It started with the radio going out then my instrument panel lights would come on and off , 4x4 windshield fluid . Today my radio went out this only happens alot when in drive and after rain or snow .But is hasnt rained or snowed here in a few days .So today my truck started with the key not all the way on when im in park or nuetral it just keeps trying to start .Have the whole under my dash apart dont even know where to start .Thought it was a remote starter problem but dont think i have one .2001 ford expadition . Dont want to get reamed at the mech .Been looking through this site and getting conflicting resalutions .Does any one know whats wrong . It usualy doesnt happen when its not raining .Now when i put the key in it keeps starting And radio will go out and windshield washer light come on and off , hear a clicking noise when it happens. key is in and turned on but not to start just turned on and all of a sudden truck will start then keep on trying to start .Please helppppppp

#211 of 281 2004 expendition electrical by chetekwi

Mar 01, 2011 (12:35 pm)

I see am not alone with electrical problems hear are my issues that just started a couple days ago. Dash light for 4wd flash on and off, dome light won't turn on when opening the door, heated seats don't work, auto lights don't work, radio turns on when shutting the car off and opening the door. I have 131,000 miles never spent a dime except for tires/ brakes and now a new battery, does anyone know the solution to this problem. It sound like Ford doesn't know and i really don't want to put 1000s of dollars into it and not fix the problem. Any and all help would be apprecaited.

#212 of 281 Re: 2003 Expedition radio and window problem [dale77] by ednatheexpe

Mar 07, 2011 (9:27 am)

Replying to: dale77 (Jan 30, 2011 12:44 pm)
Hey dale77, I'm not sure if you still have your Expedition, but I did find out what was causing the problem. I took it to Ford and found out it was the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster basically controls almost everything. They do have to find one with your same mileage on your truck and they have to re program all of your keys to the new cluster. I did look around to search for it a little cheaper, but the only problem was the shops I went to don't have the equipment to program the keys only Ford does. It ran a little over seven hundred and it depends on the mileage on the cluster. Thanks for your help

#213 of 281 Re: 2003 Expedition radio and window problem [ednatheexpe] by dale77

Mar 07, 2011 (10:04 am)

Replying to: ednatheexpe (Mar 07, 2011 9:27 am)
Hello ednatheexpe:
 
Thanks for the note. I was able to isolate the problem to the circuit board behind the instrument panel. See my post #201 with a link to detailed instructions with photos for the fix. By re-soldering the connector pins on the board, all of the problems went away. And it only cost me a couple of hours. The first time, I only re-soldered three of the pins but some of the problems re-surfaced. I repeated the process and this time made sure that the solder on all 9 pins melted and I added a small amount of new solder to each pin.
In addition, I examined the entire back of the circuit board with a magnifying glass and found several other sloppy solders with thin threads of solder bridging circuit board conductors. These could easily cause a short and the type of symptoms I observed. The circuit board also had gobs of rosin around many of the solders. This rosin should have been cleaned with a solvent when the circuit board was manufactured. Old rosin can collect dust and moisture and cause problems. I carefully removed the rosin with an Exacto knife and then cleaned the affected areas with dry-cleaning fluid and a Q-Tip.
 
I have not experienced problems since.
 
While I had the instrument panel out of the dash, I also looked for evidence of water leaking in around the windshield because others on this site suggested that this could be a problem. I'm on my 4th windshield on this vehicle and found no evidence of moisture or corrosion anywhere behind or beneath the dash. So this does not seem to be relevant in my case.
 
If one circuit board has the number of bad/sloppy solders, it suggests bad quality control and it is likely that others have the same problem.
 
My fix is consistent with your remedy (replacing the unit) only it does not cost anything. I am convinced that many of the electrical problems reported on this site can be traced to bad/sloppy solders on the instrument panel circuit board.

#214 of 281 Battery keeps going dead on 07 Expedition by champagne4u

Mar 17, 2011 (6:37 am)

I own a 07 Frod Expedition. Purchased brand new. My problem started the first year, my battery keeps going dead. A new battery only last 6 months to a year. I have went to the dealership for them to check out over and over, they put in on the computer and checked it out, everything is fine. it's the battery. WOW you can't make me believe it's the battery over and over again. Has anyone had this same problem with their battery going dead? If, you have and know what's the problem please I am asking please let me know. Thanks. I am at the end of my rope with my suv. starting to think it is trash.

Messages Page 22 of 29

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