Now an Electrical shut down gremlin?

[Matt400]

Something weird started happening on my truck this last weekend.

I walk over to it and the remote won't work, I use the key to get in and no dome lamps come on and the headlights won't work.

No power at all so I pop the hood for a look and it all powers up back to normal.



Another time when it wasn't locked I got in and found the same thing- no dome. Now if you put the key in it does start but power was cut off in the circuit cuz my radio looses its presets and the clock goes to 12:00 as if it had been disconnected.



I traced the radio power supply back to the instrument cluster making it suspect as it also controls the dome lamps.

I have had the mysterious "check gauge" lamp blip at me but vary rare and was waiting for a good time to get that TSB done and now this.



Anyone else had this happen?

 

[rbattelle]

Strange! Maybe a circuit breaker that got tripped and then reset itself?

 

[ELind]

Hmmm, check my saga in "911" that cluster may be the issue, at least they hope it is for me!

 

[fkovalski]

I have seen dual filament bulbs (brake & tailight) where one breaks and crosses over completing the other circuit caausing strangness. Kinda' different sympyoms of what you describe- might be worth a check though. Hey, stranger things have happened...

 

[MHudson1]

I have had a somewhat similiar experience. I have noticed my radio resetting the clock to 12 o clock and just stop working for a variable amount of time. I have also had the remote entry not function at the same time. I'm due for a service soon if anyone can lead me to the possible path for the dealer to follow I'd be most grateful.

 

[Matt400]

MHudson1- You should note these TSB’s and ask your dealer about performing them. BTW welcome to TDR



ELind- Your trouble indicates that maybe the clusters temselves are bad hopefully for us 03 owners the re-programming will fix it.

Very possible that I do have a bad cluster like you. Since I do also notice an extra chime now an again along with the check gauges lamp I am gonna set up a time to do TSB#08-004-03 and hope that it cures the loss of power to the radio & security circuits also.



08-004-03



Electro mechanical instrument cluster (MIC) erroneous indicator lamps.

Three conditions have been identified which may be caused by communication errors between the electro mechanical instrument cluster (MIC) and other electronic modules on the vehicle. 1. An intermittent false “Check Gauges” on diesel engine equipped vehicles. 2. An intermittent false chime and “Low Wash” indicator. 3. A “Trans Temp” indicator on a manual transmissions equipped vehicle.



This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the MIC with new software



It just so happens that the instrument cluster is a key player in those circuits also as the keyless remote module plugs into the back of the cluster and the radio power comes from there too.



Also I noted that the FCM (Forward Control Module) is tied into the security circuits so TSB#08-016-02 that reflashes that module would be a good idea too.



08-016-02



Horn chirp and erroneous alarm.

This bulletin involves reprogramming the forward control module (FCM) should there be an erroneous horn chirp when a door is opened or an erroneous alarm. The correction is a reflash of the FCM.

 

[Matt400]

Well I learned today that getting a TSB performed is not that simple. I provided the Dealer with the TSB numbers, the vehicle symptoms and we had a nice chat that ended with:

Well Matt, we would be happy to schedule an appointment for your truck but please remember that if we can't duplicate the trouble we cannot re-flash anything



They told me this because DC wouldn't reimburse them for the warranty work unless they could duplicate the fault.

I told them- can't you just say what its been doing? Nope!



So I have this intermittent PITA with a posted TSB that is supposed to fix it yet they won't do it unless its doing it on their lot, what is up with that?

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by Matt400

So I have this intermittent PITA with a posted TSB that is supposed to fix it yet they won't do it unless its doing it on their lot, what is up with that?

Update:

Well I haven't found a Dealer yet willing to do the TSB flash update unless it acts up on their lot. The trouble is getting worse now- Last time I couldn't get in and had to use the key the alarm went off on its own when I reached across and manually unlocked the passenger door, remote wouldn't shut it off but starting the truck did. Then the radio had no power at all for a one hour trip and then when I opened the drivers door- bang I got power to the radio.



The door monitors tired to the cluster that supplies power to the radio makes the cluster TSB very suspect.