Some odd problems

[jvano]

A couple years ago, my automatic lights stopped staying on for 20 seconds after I shut the car off (04 XLT). I don't have the message center, so it isn't an error on my part. Also within the past couple weeks, when I lock my truck using the pillar-mounted keypad by pressing the 7/8 and 9/0 simultaneously, it will lock but my parking lights will not flash. I am not sure if this can be related to broken or damaged wires in the door or what. Also, if my driver door is open and I try to roll the pass. Window up or down, it will not work until I move the boot with wires around. So that leads me to think something is broke inside there. No alarm is going off or dome lights going haywire. Does anyone know if that would have anything to do with my automatic lights not staying on? Sorry for the long post, and thank you for your time.

 

[BigRondo]

I can't say for sure if broken wires in the boot have anything to do with the auto lights, but it sounds like you definitely have some issues with wires in the boot.

I can check my shop manuals for troubleshooting the auto lights.

Having said that:

I had similar electrical issues with my '02 XLT. The dome lights would stay on until the battery saver feature turned them off, the accessory delay wasn't working, the driver side puddle light didn't work, the keypad on the door would set off the alarm when I pressed it, the door ajar light would flash and beep at highway speeds, the radio would shut off as soon as I turned the key off, the alarm would beep twice when I armed it. Recently all 4 windows stopped working. Most recently the driver door lock actuator stopped working.

A lot of electrical issues can be traced back to broken/damaged wire(s) in the boot between the body and the driver's door. I found 3 broken wires and repaired them. The thin black ground wire was broken and after repairing it all was back to normal. When the windows stopped working, I repaired the thick black ground wire and the windows now work like a champ. I had to repair the pink/black wire to fix the driver door lock actuator.

Here is the thread for removing the door panel: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=303524

Here is a great thread for checking for broken/damaged wires, thanks to synyster for this awesome write-up: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=270081

Be sure to take your time when looking for broken/damaged wire(s). Check all the wires for breaks/damage. When you think you're done looking, look again, and again, and again. A bright flashlight can be very helpful.

Good luck with the fix.

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!

 

[BigRondo]

I just checked my shop manuals. I only have up to '03. The '03 shop manual states that if the Auto Headlamp is inoperative, the Vehicle Security Module needs to be replaced.

 

[jvano]

Thank you very much for your reply, and looking in your manual. I will definitely try and trace down the broken wire(s) and repair them asap. As far as the auto headlights, it's weird that they still turn on and off perfectly, just don't stay on after I shut the car off. I never realized how much I liked that feature until I lost it haha. I will look into the Vehicle Security Module and research a bit further. Worse comes the worse i'll have Ford diagnose it. Thanks again for your help, I appreciate it!!