I got electrical gremlins. Help??

[ford_x_3]

I sure could use some help from anyone that knows a little bit about the electrical systems on the X.

1.) My headlights WERE cutting in and out when the headlight switch is in auto. Now they don't work at all in Auto. They work fine manually.
2.) Door locks started activating once in a while on their own.
3.) Ditto with the horn
4.) Interior lights don't come on when any of the doors are opened.
5.) Radio is not shutting off when key is switched off and any door is opened.

This all started with the door ajar light staying on.The headlight and door lock problem has developed since.Today the horn tooted a couple times on it's own.
I installed a new door switch in the drivers door today.I also removed and cleaned/lubricated all the other door/rear hatch switches.
Now the headlights don't work at all in Auto.Before they were cutting in and out and I could hear a relay making and breaking. In addition the interior lights won't go on when you open any door and the radio won't stop after the key is removed.

Is there a relay that the door ajar switches activate/deactivate that could be shot?
Does the Auto headlight circuit have a relay that could be shot? Or am I looking at a new headlight switch.

[ford_x_3]

Just to update, and maybe give someone out there a little bit more of a clue of what I should check out next.
In checking fuses,when I pulled out and replaced (not blown)the number 19 fuse: "Body Security Module/4x4 relay" according to the owners manual. I cleared something because all the problems went away.
Temporarily. They're back now after having driven around a little bit.
The one thing I forgot to put in my first post was that the keyless remote also doesn't work when this is happening.

[coldair]

its the VSM module that is acting up, I just had mine replaced this week. you can buy the module I think it was around a hundred bucks, but the drawback is you need a scan tool that can read the old module and program the new one. since mine was the first one the dealer had to do it cost me a 151.00 in labor while he figured out how to do a 10 minute job

[ford_x_3]

Hey Coldair.Long time no speak. Thanks for responding.I was starting to wonder if I had BO or something from the vast responses I was getting .LOL
I take it you were having the same symptoms?
VSM? or BSM? Body Security Module. You don't happen to have a part number, do you?
The parts counter guy at the local dealership seemed to be scratching his head yesterday when I asked him to look it up.He also wasn't sure if there might be a front one and a rear one??!!He ended up referring me over to the service department who in turn gave me the " Well we can't really look for the problem unless it's happening, and then it'll be a minimum of $100 and then $91 an hour till we find the problem".
He didn't seem to have a clue as to what might be acting up.

[ford_doctor]

I will concur with that suggestion. I have seen a few VSM's go wacky like that and for no apparent reason. It acts like the old GEM module after a water leak has soaked it and caused damage.

The autolamps feature is also integrated in the VSM which would account for that malfunction as well.

[ford_x_3]

Ford Doctor, don't know if you noticed, I'm also in Jersey.Would you consider taking a look/fixing my problem?
From what Coldair said, it has to be done by the dealer or someone that has access to the proper equipment in order to replace the module.
I'm so gun shy of going into the dealerships anymore.Probably because I used to be a line mechanic.It's like it's the first Excursion they've ever seen. Certainly the first diesel they've worked on.When you try to steer the service writers to what it might be they look at you like you have two heads.
I lmost lost the warranty on the truck because one of the mechanics misdiagnosed my repeat starter burnout problem as being the remote starter that the dealership themselves installed when it was actually due to the improperly grounded fuseblock that had the mechanic taken a minute to check would have seen in the factory bulletins.This was their electrical expert.
I'm just tired of being the guniea pig at $90 an hour.

Any chance you could help me out?

[ford_doctor]

Sure, send e-mail from my member profile and we can discuss that possibility. The difficult part of replacing the module is that it needs to be configured to match the features and options of your truck to operate properly.

[coldair]

Hey good to hear from you too, I hang out at http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeromain most of the time.
the part # is 4c7z-15604-ac it is labeled lock alarm kit.
the label says the old programing must be retrieved from the bad module proir to removal using a Ford compatible service tool

[vettmike]

[ QUOTE ]
I sure could use some help from anyone that knows a little bit about the electrical systems on the X.

1.) My headlights WERE cutting in and out when the headlight switch is in auto. Now they don't work at all in Auto. They work fine manually.
2.) Door locks started activating once in a while on their own.
3.) Ditto with the horn
4.) Interior lights don't come on when any of the doors are opened.
5.) Radio is not shutting off when key is switched off and any door is opened.

This all started with the door ajar light staying on.The headlight and door lock problem has developed since.Today the horn tooted a couple times on it's own.
I installed a new door switch in the drivers door today.I also removed and cleaned/lubricated all the other door/rear hatch switches.
Now the headlights don't work at all in Auto.Before they were cutting in and out and I could hear a relay making and breaking. In addition the interior lights won't go on when you open any door and the radio won't stop after the key is removed.

Is there a relay that the door ajar switches activate/deactivate that could be shot?
Does the Auto headlight circuit have a relay that could be shot? Or am I looking at a new headlight switch.

I am having similar problems in my 2000 X, they are as follows:

When you open the door or,

Lower the drivers power window or,

Turn on the headlights or,

Just about any other procedure that requires electrical power there is a delay of a copule of seconds. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

if you lock the doors with the remote, there is a delay and then the horn honks for about 2 seconds. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

The drivers door lock does not work with the remote. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Only one of the running board lights work ( I have replaced bulbs with no improvement) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

When all of this is going on i can hear a clicking under the dash that stops when the requested function has started. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]


vettmike



[/ QUOTE ]