One for the Auto sparkies ....
I have a 95 (96) Ford fairlane with a interior light electrical issue
The steering column has the courtesy light for the ignition key
I replaced the bottom cowling of the steering column that holds the courtesy light and it shorted out on the steering column
Now all the interior lights flick on & off ... in tune to the "Smartlock" cycling a relay inside it (going tick ... tick..)
I have tried different computers / Smartlocks / disconnected the battery and unplugged the wiring harness under the steering column to stop it
This is the 3rd time this has happened to me ... The other 2 times, I had to take it to a local Ford dealer, who has repaired / stopped the cycling .... But they never said they found the problem
This is the first time I was able to see the bare wire on that courtesy light that caused all this grief in the first place (fluked it by chance)... Ford dealer never found it .... It must be a common fault,
as the wire was bare because it rubbed through on a metal part of the steering column bracket .... When I asked them, what was the fix / problem ... They would only vaguely answer "A broken wire at the fuse panel"
If I want to stop the lights cycling .... I have to remove the "Door lock fuse" which knocks out interior light / windows / door locks
Thanks in advance
Mike
Master
SubscriberIf I've read this right, what you've described is a known fault on the EF/EL Falcons and was related to the solenoids in the front doors. Happened to my EL under warranty, though I understand can happen at any time. Being a warranty problem they just changed the solenoids (or at least that's what they told me at the time), but they may actually be fixable.
Edit: I read that wrong. I take it it's not cycling the door locks, just the smartlock relay and the lights?
Yes ... in short ... the problem isOriginally Posted by hoadie72
Ignition key "courtesy light" shorted
Wire was bare because it rubbed through on a metal part of the steering column bracket
All the interior lights flick on & off ... in tune to the "Smartlock" cycling a relay inside it (going tick ... tick..)
Mike
Answer is .... replace the interior light fuseYes ... in short ... the problem is
Ignition key "courtesy light" shorted
Wire was bare because it rubbed through on a metal part of the steering column bracket
All the interior lights flick on & off ... in tune to the "Smartlock" cycling a relay inside it (going tick ... tick..)
Mike
(Blown)
Thanking the Ford dealer in Morley ....
I did not want to strip the whole interior of the car for the 3rd time chasing a short
Mike
YarnMaster
Found the answer for you!
Heard that ...
Swaggie
Welcome to the wonderful world of Ford Falcon electronics. My ute is called "the two-in-one". The first Falcon and the bloody last. In 175,000k's it has had the following replacements- two power-up relays, two distributors, four ignition modules, three coils, three distributor caps, three sets of HT leads, several HT individual leads, one Smart Lock module, three O2 sensors. Most of these replacements were the result of instantaneous and catastrophic failure resulting in the call for a tow truck. Two were overnight failures when parked. I do wonder what purpose is served by the O2 sensor as the fuel usage does not vary from having a completely dead sensor to a brand new one.
Every so often a hopeful salesman from the Ford dealer 'phones to see if I am interested in replacing the old ute with a new one. This is usually a learning experience for the new carshark.
Thank Christ the County has no electronics other than the regulator on the alternator and the radio/CD palyer.
URSUSMAJOR
Wizard
I have had 8 new or near new Fords over the years, both sixes and V8s and hardly had a problem to speak about one XB gave a problem with gearbox mounts and the planetary in the diff in XC collasped at about 460,000 Ks and my XF did over 800,000 ks with one auto gear box rebuild I do nearly all my own servicing and maintance that my tools and knowledge allows
Hodgo
Struth Brian ... Thats a bit of a bad run
I've owned the ZA & ZH fairlane .. XW XA XC XD EA and have owed the 95 fairlane for about 5 years
Each one has been a treat to own & drive ... All bought 2cnd hand .... I have nothing overly bad to say about their longevity .... The smartlock tho is a bit of a worry, as they get cold joints on the circuit board ... A TV repair man can easily resolder them tho
Most of my electrical dramas would have been easily solved if the "Auto sparks" weren't so bleedin secretive
Mike
Swaggie
It is not until after you buy one and start having problems that your old associates in the trade tell you that electrical troubles are common in that model, and to stay away from them. That they are POS.Struth Brian ... Thats a bit of a bad run
Mine has died in places as diverse as my driveway (twice), Great Western Highway, St. Mary's( six lanes of peak hour traffic and a race car & trailer on behind, South-east FreewayBrisbane, and a track on Coorabulka Station.
I now avoid taking it out of town.
Thereason I still have it is that it is fitted with accessories necessary to my business, lockable canopy, triple roof racks, cargo mat, HR tow bar, trailer brakes, electrical outlets, nudge bar, that would cost $4500 to fit to another vehicle.
Fuel usage has always been excessive around 14+ litres/100 k's. The Ford dealer plugs their computer into the diagnostic socket and reports back that it is using 11+ which is in the acceptable range. This is a crock of s++t. I carefully record fuel purchases and there are no leaks. It uses barely less than the CM Valiant it repalced and they were supposed to be gas guzzlers. The Val was reliable albeit killed by rust, and a better highway performer.
URSUSMAJOR
Posting Permissions
| Search AULRO.com ONLY! |
Search All the Web! |
|---|
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks