Strange electrical problem on my Dakota tonight

[rickhans]

'94 Dakota, 318 extended cab, 75k miles on it. Tonight while driving with lights on, all of a sudden the seat belt buzzer started buzzing, both turn signal indicators went green, the headlights went to high beam and would not dim, lost the dash lights, tach, and gauges. After about a minute everything went back to normal and did not occur again.

I have fixed many an electrical problem on cars and equipment, but don't know where to start with this one. If it was the dash harness, why the high beam trick? I hate to start jiggling harness wires around in case of a short.

Has any one had this happen? Any ideas on the
cause?

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98. 5 24V QC 4x4 SB 3:54 5sp

 

[Alan Reagan]

Something similar on my 98 CTD. I had fog lights installed by the dealer. One morning I was backing into a parking space (5:30 AM) and when I looked from the mirrors back to the dash, the bright lights were on (I seldom drive with brights), the fog lights were on (yeah, with the brights) and there was a high pitched squeal coming from the dash. It was a relay they had installed for the fogs. Scared the doo out of me. The point is, you may have a short developing in the relay panel and it's cross to these otherwise non related things. Look at the relay panel (I'm assuming it's under the hood) and see if any are loose. Also, check your fuse panel for loose fuses. I wouldn't suspect an arc external to the panel, but their could be one internal. That would be hard to find.

A final note. I looked at the service manual for the 2500. All the things that lit up on you come through the same junction block on nearly adjacent wire connections through the block. You may want to check for signs of arcing on the block down by the emergency brake. You haven't added any accesories where you tapped into the harness have you? I know the Dakota is not a 2500 but they probably have similar wiring harness characteristics.

[This message has been edited by Alan Reagan (edited 03-26-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

Rick, did you notice if there were any UFOs hovering over you when it happened? #ad

 

[Alan Reagan]

Illflem has a good point. I forgot about the UFOs #ad
. Check for them first.

 

[HDH]

Originally posted by illflem:
Rick, did you notice if there were any UFOs hovering over you when it happened? #ad

UFO?, Does that stand for "Underpowered Ford Okiemobile"? #ad

Doug.

 

[DennyDay]

Check for a loose ground wire!

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here