02 crazy electrical gremlins

[mcadek]

Hello, this is my first post but it seems I'll be sticking around for quite a while with the mess I have on my hands

2002 sport trac:

- several weeks ago all windows stopped working , I searched this site and found the common issue with broken wires, sure enough one was broken and that fixed it, truck continued to operate as new for 4 more days.

then all hell broke loose:

- truck won't start (electrical issue, won't even turn over)

- trying to turn the key to crank will make theft, brake, airbag, check engine and check fuel cap lights flash, sometimes only few of these flash

- stepping on the brake INTERRUPTS these flashing lights, letting off allows the lights to resume blinking until key turns back

- putting the key in the on position allows some things to work, such as door locks

- prior to removing it, radio would buzz when you stepped on the brake, sometimes it would buzz when you tried a door button etc..

- window buttons seem to be busted again (all of them), but not "fully" as before, for example the driver side button for pass side front window will make it move but extremely slowly and only for 1/2" (if that). It almost acts as if there isn't enough juice in the battery (or more like some module isn't giving it enough voltage to move the glass)

- stepping on brake without a key in the ignition used to move some solenoids, possibly for door locks or window motors, just random clicking, this doesn't occur anymore, but it was random to begin with so it might return

speaking of the battery, it is old/original but I have a really hard time blaming that when the truck is behaving more as if things are shorting out or some modules are failing.

I Have removed radio/pass airbag so I have access to both the CSM and GEM module, both look fine, I Inspected the internals and nothing looks fried

Which one is more likely to be causing this?

Also, I am not sure but does the GEM replacement have to be programmed by the dealer?

CSM replacement is plug & play?

I am just not sure which module to try first.

Any places to find these modules new? I checked ebay quickly but not much is there that matches my part numbers. Does this forum have a preferred dealer that I can give some business to?

thank you in advance for any help, I'm || close to taking 5 gallons of gas and making a bonfire out of this truck

 

[mcadek]

Also, I do not think anything is shorted out, that tends to blow fuses, lot of this behavior seems random more reminiscent of a failing module.

I have re-checked the door harness , all other wires look ok and without even any cuts/breaks in insulation, I can only be 99% sure as that boot is in the way even if I Push it inside, but they do look "ok" , even so I would imagine another broken wire would most likely just cause windows or door locks to fail, it is probably unlikely the truck wouldn't start because of that (then again it is a ford )

 

[mcadek]

I'm talking to myself for the moment, but I just stumbled on a new thread below mine here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288654

could erratic gauges/door locks really be a battery? I Guess I Will try hooking up a spare and see what happens, I'd feel pretty dumb if that was it, half the car is apart at the moment

I will report back, but please if you have any ideas as to which module might be the culprit let me know.

 

[03_Sport_Trac]

Sounds to me like you are going to have better luck with the 5 gallons of gas and a match haha somebody bring the marshmallows!

But honestly that sounds pretty crazy. If I could help you I would.

 

[Grolli]

it actually sounds like a loose positive battery terminal, or a loose ground. Battery could have gone bad (like everything, ,sometimes you can get lemmons).

 

[ncranchero]

A bad battery does some seriously crazy stuff to these trucks. I would start there, especially if you've verified all fuses to be good.

 

[mcadek]

A bad battery does some seriously crazy stuff to these trucks. I would start there, especially if you've verified all fuses to be good.

well that was it , I can say I've worked on many cars , but this was baffling, how a bad battery causes stuff to have a fit is beyond me ,but leave to ford to re-engineer electrical problems

 

[ncranchero]

Just be very happy it fixed itself for the price of a battery!

 

[mposton]

Similar Problem

I got up this morning and went to start my '02 Sport Trac and it just gave me a clicking sound. Put a charger on the battery and charged to full capacity and no help. Started searching the forums, found this one and changed out the battery with spare marine battery I had and that did the trick. Thanks everyone!

Marc

 

[Jefe the Gorilla]

Well i agree that changing the battery will fix the problem but only temporarily. I'm on my 3rd battery in 5 years and i think it has something to do with the wiring or mudules themselves. the first battery was in the truck when i bought it and went out after 2.5 years of my use. Then i bought a brand new 8 year battery for it and still had electrical problems. Cruise control would intermittenly go out, gauges would all go out and "CHECK GAUGES" would show where spedometer is, fuel tank level would commonly say "LOW FUEL". I think a new sending unit will fix the fuel gauge cause i have found that it goes back up if i shake the truck but the other stuff i have no clue.