Dome lights cutting on/off and relay or fuse clicking?

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Djarratt2607

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So I just came home from a 5 day vacation.. Went to start my 99 expedition eddie Bauer 5.4, and with the truck off and driver door open the dome lights were dim and cutting on/off (engine off, keys OUT of ignition). Along with that, there is a clicking noise coming from under the dash with each flicker of the lights. I shut the door, locked it and watched it for about 30 minutes and it doesn't happen with the doors closed. Any ideas? And considering it doesnt seem to happen with the doors closed, how did it manage to kill my battery while I was gone?

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lvcjt702

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Check your aux lighting relay. You've probably got a windshield leak.

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Djarratt2607

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Check your aux lighting relay. You've probably got a windshield leak.

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No signs of windshield leak and all fuses are fine. But honestly I don't know how to check relays? Never had a problem with one.

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lvcjt702

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No signs of windshield leak and all fuses are fine. But honestly I don't know how to check relays? Never had a problem with one.

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1 Open owners manual.

2 Find under dashboard fuse box diagram.

3 Locate auxiliary lighting relay on diagram.

4 Locate auxiliary lighting relay in under dashboard fuse box.

5 Remove auxiliary lighting relay from under dashboard fuse box.

6 Take auxiliary lighting relay to auto parts store.

7 Purchase replacement relay that matches auxiliary lighting relay.

8 Go to parking lot.

9 Insert new relay into auxiliary lighting relay position.

10 Open and close doors.

11 Have new auxiliary lighting relay cause same issues as old auxiliary lighting relay.

12 Search forum and discover that ecu has water damage from windshield leak due to length of solid body vehicle.

Or at least thats how I diagnosed your exact symptoms. Let us know how it turns out.

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Bilsto

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My 2000 model did the exact same thing. It ended up seeming like a low-battery warning. I replaced the battery and the problem is gone.
 

craig sargood

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I have a 00 xlt and had a similar issue, found that the pcm under the dash near steering wheel tends to get wet from windshield leaks, replaced pcm and no issues. I’m not sure pcm is correct name , it’s been a while, but it controls all the interior lights and door locks and some other stuff I believe.
 
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