Problem Progression
It’s been my experience that things never get better on their own. At this point it is best to wait for all the shoes to drop before I bring in a pro.
OK, I haven’t complained about my truck lately, but it’s acting weird in an electrical way. The first hint was that the drivers side rear window no longer goes up or down. I figured that I never use that window, so I don’t care if it doesn’t open.
Next my radio/CD player seemed to get stuck where I couldn’t access any of the functions such as changing the stations or switching from AM to FM or starting a CD, and then suddenly these functions were restored. Now the functions come on and off. Another thing it does when the truck is turned off, every minute or so the clock lights up and the CD in the player gets ejected and then it goes back in and then turns off again.
Another thing I noticed is that when I manually lock the doors the alarm gets activated. It is only supposed to be activated by key or by wireless.
Finally, the drivers side window only operates if I bang the door panel and in order to roll the window up I have to roll it all the way down first.
So, now I wonder how long it will be before the window gets totally stuck in the open position, or how long it will be for a total systemic electrical failure.
posted by The Guy Who Writes This at 4:00 AM
15 Comments:
So will you just wait until it all stops working - or will you suck it up and take it to the shop?
Sounds to me guy...like ya got two seperate problems, one being mechanical, and the other electrical.( it can happen at the same time)...:) also if you've been around dusty roads and/or salty air.....and.....remotes for alarm/starters are notorious for going bad and causing electric problems....I've replaced two on my surburban. LOL sorry....I'm a mechanical junkie.....wind me up and let me go
loopymama
Hey punkin, keep yer winder rolled up, pray to St. Jude and hope to hell Gearhead checks in here.
I'm sure it's just possessed of the devil. Pray.
Heh.
When you live where it rains up to 80 inches a year you are bound to have some electrical problems now and then. Especially if you don't park under cover and leave windows down once and a while. Does the rear window work from it's own switch in back? If so the problem is probably in or near your driver door which gets all the use. Inspect the wire harness that comes out of that door down by the lower hinge some times the trouble is right there. You also might check your fuse box where wires for the alarm and stereo hook up. Could be a little housekeeping is in order there to the tune of a brass wire brush and some silicone spray, wd-40 ect. If those two areas seem to be in order someone will have to Take off your door panel to check wiring and switches there. Sounds like your stereo is toast. Perhaps if you leave your truck unlocked overnight on Alameda the stereo will be gone in the morning making the installation of a new Alpine that much easier.
I thought my truck might be possessed. Messages coming from the console...nono...written ones. Not the OnStar ones. Signal lights all messed up...lights coming on and off. Turned out all it was was a bad ground. Yep...gearhead should have this one figured out in not time.
Moosenotbruce
shmaybe you have a ghost? my friend used to have a temperamental auto, that would short out or not start, even though the battery was new, the alternator was new and his mechanic said that the circuitry seemed to be fine.
well, he had his girlfriend come over one day, and later that night when he was ready to drop her home, the darn car wouldn't start.
"let me try," she said. skeptical, he handed her the keys and let her climb into the driver's side. before turning the key in the ignition, she caressed the steering wheel and dash, all the while mumbling some unintelligible stuff. when she had finished babbling, she gave the wheel one more caress and then whispered "you won't be acting up anymore, will you?"
she turned the key, and the car revved to life and never gave him trouble again.
he swears this is a true story, and apparently we have a mutual friend in common who can corroborate.
who knows?
shmaybe you have ghosts!
I agree with Anonymoose. :-0
Disconnect the battery cables and clean them and the battery posts thoroughly. Spray them down with battery terminal grease and reconnect.
Look for the braided ground strap(s) that connects the chassis to the frame right under the firewall.
Clean those connections.
Pull the carpet back right above the accelerator pedal and look for a large (10 ga) wire that connects the dash to the chassis. It will be either white or black (green?). Clean that connection.
Then Anonymous's tips are good.
After that, its time for the wiring diagram and VOM.
Thats the fun part!
I blame it on the fact that the Earth's frequency is changing, in preparation for a switching of the magnetic poles.
OR ... a virus attacked your onboard computer and is messing with you.
Wow. A lone voice in the darkness cries for help and is answered. A desperate hand reaches up from the depths begging aid and is greeted by a warm grip granting it's boon. The loyal flock rallys 'round it's stricken member and gives it shelter from the predators. Mans inhumanity to man is shown to be a hollow shell. Ask, and ye shall receive.
Me, I'd take it to a mechanic. I'm all thumbs.
surely it's somehow related to global warming.
it could be a democrat or republican...
i hate it when this happens.
Weese, probably the former as opposed to the latter.
Loopy You're a gearhead as well?
Auntie, Isn't he the patron saint of lost causes? So are you talking about me or my truck?
Lori, I've lived with devils and demons before...
Anon, and I recently stopped parking in the garage just so I could store more hay. Big mistake.
Moose, I must let people know what you've done to your new employees, and it may explain your electrical problems as well. OK folks, when Moose gets a new employee he backs his truck up to an electrical fence so the bumper touches it and asks the employee to get out of the truck to fetch something.
Dalia, I like that, "shmaybe."
Will do GH, but I bet I'll be removing door panels before long.
Walt, isn't that going to be a mess when the poles flip, that is if we all don't die of radiation from solar flares before that. I doubt the truck could get a virus without having WiFi.
Darev, I'm all thumbs as well.
g, my truck and I are both registered independent.
lol!
It doesn't happen to be a white '97 Ford crew cab? Sounds like a piece of crap I traded in for my Suburban. They just don't make cars/trucks like they used to. My daily driver is a '76 diesel Mercedes. Great car! The windows..I have to MANUALLY crank them to go down or up...some kids have never seen a car that can do that. You should see the look on their faces when they go to open the window! Also, I have to MANUALLY lock the car...I know, weird huh? I usually make a beep sound when I do it to make the kids laugh. Anyway, looks like you can put some time and a few dollars in to the one you have...or you can be like most others these days and justify spending $50k on a new one...BUT w/bailouts being the current trend, you might be able to get a screaming deal (Ford, GM, etc.)...if you have the cash...or if you can get the credit :) Good luck w/ your truck.
No, Ginger, it isn't your old truck. I will not be buying a new one, ever. The next one will probably have to be a junker like the truck I had before this one, which I miss.
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