Blinking Dash Display
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Greetings fellow Ford Vanners...
I have an odd electrical issue in the dash of my '05 E350. When I start the van, the dash and radio display blinks bright...dim...bright...dim... accompanied by the click of a relay in the dash: click dim...click bright...etc.
I realize that the dash display normally is bright when the headlights are off, then dim when the headlights are on, so...
I pull the headlights on and the display stays dim, but the clicking of the relay continues for a while. After a bit, the clicking stops, the display becomes normal and when the headlights are turned off, the display brightens. The dash illumination then works as normal again until the van is restarted and the "light show" begins again.
OK, so here are my questions:
1] Have any of you encountered this in your van?
2] What did you do about it?
3] Any speculation as to what may be the cause / cure?
>>>The van is equipped with an in-dash rear video/gps display. Could this be overtaxing the system somehow? The battery appears to be the original and the vehicle has only about 9K total miles. Why does the clicking quit after while? Could the voltage drop from starting on a 5 year old battery be the culprit?
:mad2:
I await your replies....
(≡[≡≡)≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡::
Banjo Johnny
I have an odd electrical issue in the dash of my '05 E350. When I start the van, the dash and radio display blinks bright...dim...bright...dim... accompanied by the click of a relay in the dash: click dim...click bright...etc.
I realize that the dash display normally is bright when the headlights are off, then dim when the headlights are on, so...
I pull the headlights on and the display stays dim, but the clicking of the relay continues for a while. After a bit, the clicking stops, the display becomes normal and when the headlights are turned off, the display brightens. The dash illumination then works as normal again until the van is restarted and the "light show" begins again.
OK, so here are my questions:
1] Have any of you encountered this in your van?
2] What did you do about it?
3] Any speculation as to what may be the cause / cure?
>>>The van is equipped with an in-dash rear video/gps display. Could this be overtaxing the system somehow? The battery appears to be the original and the vehicle has only about 9K total miles. Why does the clicking quit after while? Could the voltage drop from starting on a 5 year old battery be the culprit?
:mad2:
I await your replies....
(≡[≡≡)≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡::
Banjo Johnny
Yes, it begins immediately upon starting the engine, and proceeds as above.
It happens Day or Night 100% of the time.
Joined
·
659 Posts
Hey there N2XBW,
It is possible that the accessory delay relay in the Battery Junction Box that supplies power to the Instrument Cluster and fuses 3 and 42 in the Central Junction Box - which in turn supply power to the Radio, Overhead Console, both Front Door Switches is sticking or faulty - which could possibly explain the clicking noise you are hearing.
It is also possible that you have a bad ground, an open wire somewhere, possibly even a faulty headlight switch or the contacts that are playing havoc with your electrical system.
I am attaching power distribution diagrams specific to 2005 E350.
The 2 links below are the Forums "How To" on checking fuses and relays.
http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/128-howto-check-your-fuses.html
http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/144-howto-check-relay.html
Hope this helps.
It is possible that the accessory delay relay in the Battery Junction Box that supplies power to the Instrument Cluster and fuses 3 and 42 in the Central Junction Box - which in turn supply power to the Radio, Overhead Console, both Front Door Switches is sticking or faulty - which could possibly explain the clicking noise you are hearing.
It is also possible that you have a bad ground, an open wire somewhere, possibly even a faulty headlight switch or the contacts that are playing havoc with your electrical system.
I am attaching power distribution diagrams specific to 2005 E350.
The 2 links below are the Forums "How To" on checking fuses and relays.
http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/128-howto-check-your-fuses.html
http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/144-howto-check-relay.html
Hope this helps.
Joined
·
659 Posts
Hey there N2XBW,
Seeing as I forgot to remember to post the ground distribution diagrams I am attaching them now for your reference....
Thanks for the update. I mentioned it could possibly be a bad (loose) ground, and with it intermittently stopping now, that seems highly probable.
Seeing as I forgot to remember to post the ground distribution diagrams I am attaching them now for your reference....
Joined
·
890 Posts
did you try kicking it? my old tempo use to fix itself if i kicked it...
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