ignition electrical ghost

[RollingVengeance]

Ok, 2000 F250 7.3 143,000 miles crew cab 4x4 XLT

intermentent problem that effects power doors, ignition key cylinder, 4x4 operatoin, and battery gauge.

Problem starts like this, in the morning the key fob will not unlock doors, I unlock with key, then I stick key in ignition and turn to on position... gauges light up and I notice the battery guage shows like 9 volts but batterys test on tester to normal volts, Truck cranks just fine, but gear shifter doesnt like to go out of park. I have to wiggle the key cylinder a bunch to move the leaver and sometimes I have to turn the truck off then wiggle the key cylinder around untill I get truck into neutrol, then start the truck and the shifter moves freely around N D 2 1 but if I put in park I cant get it back out of park and have to repeat the process of wiggling the cylinder. Also when all this is going on the 4x4 switch doesnt respond and I cant use the electic windows. The door switches dont light up but I can use the power lock from the controls but not from my key fob????????????????????????????

Any advice would help. I checked the battery connections, they are cleaned greesed and tight.

I though about buying a new key and cylinder, but wondered with all the other problems if this isnt sometime alittle more then meets the eyes.

I looked under dash for aftermarket alarm and stuff like that and found nothing.

Most of the time the truck works fine especially if the truck is sitting in the sun, or warm. I'm not talking about the motor being warm.... the actual truck body and interior. Colder dew mornings or evenings is when I'm having the most problems but it does happen rarely during sunny days too.

[Logan]

Not sure what to tell ya other than someone should be along shortly to help ya out. Have you checked all the fuses and relays? might be part of it. Sounds strange that it works better when it is warm.

And to powerstroke.org

[RollingVengeance]

anybody got any ideas?

[AKPwrStroke]

Unfortunately I dont have your answer, but I cant wait to hear from someone who does. Mine was the same sort of thing, except I had additional problems, mine wouldnt realize that it was in park sometimes, and so it wouldnt kick over. Then other times, I would be riding down the road and the doors would randomly lock and unlock whenever they feel like it. Now my problems are worse, see my other thread in this section.

[gbear]

My thought are you got at least one problem, and that is with the ignition switch. I am not sure if its the Key/cyclinder or the switch it's self. Doesn't the brake have to be applied to move the shift out of park? Then there could be a problem with the input from pedal. I don't have experience with that year model so I am just guessing a good place to start. Hope it's some help.

Jim

[mschn99]

Well, this is just a guess, but ill explain why i say this...

A little history. Back in 2001 or so, there was an issue with the ford taurus. They all the sudden would have issues and one of the most noticable concerns was when the car was put into reverse, the radio would just blank out and stop working......Turns out the TR (transmission range) sensor got some water in it and shorted out. The TR sensor is read by the GEM (generic electric) module and the short also shorted the gem out, which also has controll over the radio. Thus, the TR sensor actually caused the radio problem.....

Now to your senario.........You have a problem getting it out of park. The gem module in your truck controlls every componant that you have stated has a problem...SO im guessing....either you have a leaking winshield that has got moisture in the gem module or you have a bad or corroded TR sensor shorting the gem out.....since the gem is the only common link to all your problems....

First check the electrical connector at the TR sensor. It is the black thing on the drivers side of the tranny where the shift cable goes to the trans....problem is the taurus TR sensors didnt get water in the connector, they actually got it inside the sensor.....

Also inspect for any signs of water intrusion under the dash. The gem module bolts to the back of the fuse panel in front of the drivers side knee panel.....

[gbear]

I'm sure gald you came on. There is no substitute for experence. I need to store that info in the memory bank. Thanks Marc

Jim

[RollingVengeance]

Originally Posted by Marc

First check the electrical connector at the TR sensor. It is the black thing on the drivers side of the tranny where the shift cable goes to the trans....problem is the taurus TR sensors didnt get water in the connector, they actually got it inside the sensor.....

Also inspect for any signs of water intrusion under the dash. The gem module bolts to the back of the fuse panel in front of the drivers side knee panel.....

Thanks for the advice. I'll check these things out asap.

My truck has worked fine for about 6 days now. longest streach ever. It hasnt rained in about 8 days either.

My windshield does have a few long cracks in it, its been scheduled for replacement since friday but I havnt ever noticed water leaking around or through it. The windshield people were susposed to come to my work today and replace it but they didnt show today, maybe tomorrow.