01 7.3 sounds like a relay?!

[micgirl187]

so i went to start the truck and all the gauges go nuts, and it sounds like there's a relay switching on and off. I took the panel off from under the steering wheel and it's coming from a plug that's pretty much in the center of the truck, like under the radio...
wtf?
thanks guys...

[djmdogg]

I had a similar problem. you will get a clicking in that relay because of low voltage.(I forget which relay it is) the batteries tested fine. after the truck was at the dealer for 2 days they found that the alternator was discharging when I was trying to start the truck. its not a very common problem at all! so you might want to try having the alternator tested.

madison
01 f250 175,000 miles

[silverF250]

Had what sounds to be the same problem a couple weeks ago and it turned out to be a loose battery connection. I would start by cleaning posts and terminals on the battery and making sure they are tight and then go from there.

[Drepka]

Happened to me also, was a battery.

[donkdp]

If those all check out good, I have seen on a gas before that there is a fuse in the panel that controls the alternator for charging if it is bad it will seem like the alt is bad just something to check. It will cause the batteries to go dead and the gauges to do funny things.