[Bobthebiker]

So, this seems a little weird to me, as I dive into the diagnostic on my own truck (just what I want to do after spending all day diagnosing OTHER people's cars) I've noticed that when the key is off, opening the door is "supposed to" power down the systems inside the truck, such as radio, power windows, etc. But it doesn't.

So far in things I've observed and have a suspicion are all linked, are
Radio and power windows seem to have power at all times
my center console in the roof is inoperative and presents a B1342 electronic control unit malfunction code in the overhead trip computer module

I had a whole host of misc codes relating to loss of battery power, which I completely understand due to the batteries being discharged as a result of someone not knowing about this issue.

So far I've reached the theory that 1 of 3 possibilities has happened, in order of most likely to least in my experiences. #1 the fuse junction block under the steering wheel is faulty/corroded and shorting internally. 2. the accessory control circuit is somehow shorted out internally. or 3, the BCM is faulty. I suspect something is related to moisture, as I found the manuals in the glovebox to all be damaged in a way suggesting the truck has possibly seen rain inside at some point. I didn't see flooding evidence anywhere one would normally suspect, so I doubt it's a Hurricane Ian victim (I'm right near that area)

Any insights if someone has perhaps experienced this before? I can live with it for awhile while I research and pinpoint what I need to replace or repair, that's absolutely fine with me.

 

[RMTZ07PS]

Usually if a 6.0 truck has similar issues it most likely is the dash gauge cluster. Call circuit board medics and they will tell you if it's likely related to the cluster.
If they find no issue with your cluster if you send it in they do not charge you.

 

[John in OkieLand]

I agree,
the Relay in the cluster panel is "supposed to" keep the radio 'ON' after the key is OFF,
until you open the door.

the contacts are likely burned and stuck.

I used this company, $154 round trip, and they give a LifeTime Warranty on their repairs.
As long as, the seal on the back is not broken.

Automotive Circuit Board Repair & Parts | AutomotiveCircuitSolutions

We repair automotive electronics. GM Chevy Ford Volvo speedometer instrument clusters, Compass, Clocks and SRS modules. | Automotive Circuit Board Repair & Parts | AutomotiveCircuitSolutions | Visit Now: www.automotivecircuitsolutions.com

www.automotivecircuitsolutions.com

 

[Bobthebiker]

Thanks for the tip. Even us professionals sometimes need a little guidance to the right thing to fix it. At least it's a livable issue for me, and I'll be able to locate the problem accurately thanks to your help. I really appreciate the information.

It's an 03 7.3 F250, but being a transitional year, it may be a shared component.

 

[DingoT]

So I actually have a very long article about batteries dying in my truck. Several things were wrong. However one thing that was extremely obvious was that my radio would stay on my lights inside the truck would turn on and the power windows had power one night when I was taking out the trash. The inside lights to my truck turned on, then turned off randomly the power locks would also click randomly. I thought someone was stealing my vehicle and then it did it the next night to, long story short my window had a leak around the seal somehow someway this leak drip down onto the GEM the general electrics module was so rusted and filled with water. that it was grounding out different layers of the metal. It’s one of the things that consistently always has power going to it so when it grounded out or connected to different layers or three layers, whatever it would turn on those objects, it had power to randomly so i replaced the window seal. my General Electric module in my 2000 Ford F250 7.3L it’s under the driver side behind the main fuse box I know some of them are in the glove box but then it got even weirder that my 4 x 4 motor was still on pulling electricity, stuck between 2 Wheel Dr. and four-wheel-drive. It was all jacked up, but simply put when I pulled the GEM out. It was soaked in water and extremely corroded cleaned it all up with the wire brush put it all back together and it works just fine. Looks horrible but works just fine .

 

[Hydro]

Thanks @DingoT for the post
yeah, window leaks are pretty common and as Dingo mentioned the GEM can fail because of this
water drips on the harness and will run right down to the GEM

 

[Socket]

The VSM can also cause problems with door lights, door ajar, and random horn blowing. I believe the change year was 2002, the VSM and gauge cluster split what the GEM did on previous years. It’s located below the lower dash on the fire wall.
Here’s a list of common issues related to the VSM acting up,

Door Ajar Light staying on
Key Fob not working
Door locks not working
no dome light when doors open but works with switch on dash
radio doesn't shut off when truck is off and doors open
no door ajar sound when door is open and key is in the ignition.