Radio/window electrical issue - Diesel Forum

Batman2696 · 08-01-2010, 03:21 PM

Recently my 02 Limited developed a few problems. While driving down the road the radio shut off. I can hit the display and the clock with show but the radio will not turn on. I then realized when the radio goes out the windows wont work either. So I figure it must be something common to both. Any Ideas? Also, my over drive "off" light started illuminating. The button works fine and takes the trans out of OD with the light still lit. I found the shifter is sloppy and can get the light to go out depending on how I manipulate the shifter. I have not opened the collum up yet but will soon. Thanks in advance for your ideas.

ibewjwjon · 10-28-2010, 05:32 PM

i am having the same problem with my 02 350 theradio, power windows, and map lights intermittently fail, then come back on. no pattern to this, from cold start, or running down the road, or engine on and truck parked. no pattern to length of time either. have been told to replace fuse block, and that lasted about two weeks, problem returned. have been told to replace ign sw, but no help. the fuse for the windows, radio can be jumped with 12 volts, and all will work. HELP!!!

lance1955 · 10-28-2010, 10:43 PM

I had the same issue with my radio, it was off but the clock was on. Then it began to take a life of its own, trying to eject CD's, insert cd's random channel scanning.
I took the radio out, and something inside, god know what broke, and was a small piece of metal. I was able to get the case open just enough and what ever it was fell out. The CD player at this point has not worked in several years. Guessing, that metal was hitting the circuit board and causing issues.
Try jiggling you ignition and see if the radio comes on.
The shifter thing might be the cause. but guessing you have the classic, broken wires at the end of the shifter. The bushing on the top of the column maybe cracked or the bracket bolts are loose. I would advise against trying to repair the tiny wires if the are broke. A new shifter is 50 bucks and comes with complete with the OD button and cap installed. It pretty simple to change out. If you dont know how to get the column covers off PM me.
I would also, pull the fuse make sure its tight and the contacts are clean for the radio circuit and window circuit if separately fused I cant remember. And it too cold to peek out side. LOL

ibewjwjon · 10-29-2010, 05:49 PM

shifter does not do anything to the radio and windows, it is a separate issue. does anybody have any ideas for the radio--window problem? i made a junper wire and fuse to plug into the lighter to power up the windows and radio, but i would really like to fix the problem the right way.ford has been no help with this problem, so hopefully there is a very smart person out there with the answer. thanks

lance1955 · 10-31-2010, 09:41 PM

You might want to post this over in the 7.3L section where there more activity and see if someone can come up post a wiring diagram for you or knows the fix.

Kelly00127 · 12-03-2010, 11:24 PM

I had very similar problems with door locks not working, Radio not turning off, and door ajar always on. Scanning this site and the Internet it appears that the main culprit was the Vehicle Security Module (VSM). After tearing apart every door, removing door latches, and tracing wires, I replaced the VSM which is tough to get to and remove. It seems to have fixed everything. It appears to be a problem in the 02 year models.

mkb1314 · 07-30-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman2696

Recently my 02 Limited developed a few problems. While driving down the road the radio shut off. I can hit the display and the clock with show but the radio will not turn on. I then realized when the radio goes out the windows wont work either. So I figure it must be something common to both. Any Ideas? Also, my over drive "off" light started illuminating. The button works fine and takes the trans out of OD with the light still lit. I found the shifter is sloppy and can get the light to go out depending on how I manipulate the shifter. I have not opened the collum up yet but will soon. Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Was looking for something else on my wife's EX when I saw this post...I've had the EXACT same problem on my 02 F250 for the last couple of years. I would love to know what causes it and how to fix it!

Victor · 08-09-2011, 02:14 PM

If not the VSM, as mentioned above, it may be a short somewhere in a leg of the wiring harness. My experience was with a mid 90's model Taurus wagon. The door locks, instrument panel, radio, etc. freaked out and it was traced to the wire going to the overhead brake light above the rear hatch (tailgate). It had gotten crimped against a sharp metal edge during vehicle assembly. After repair, everything worked fine.

tazjeepman · 10-12-2011, 11:41 PM

my 03 X does the same thing. I can get them to come back on by rolling the dash light dimmer switch up and down and turn on the dome lights
(have to do it several times )and it will all come back to life. Now i don't know much about the system but it seems to me that it might be in the system that will shut the power off to the radio and windows after 10 min or so after the key is turned off and you don't open any doors don't have a clue what controls that but that is where i think it would have to be?