2015 Weird Electrical Issues. Power windows make Running Boards deploy

[grey1169]

Windows will not operate. Opened door to get out and tried again and the windows then were working. Took her for a drive and went to open the windows and everytime I move the switch, the running boards would deploy. Opened and closed the doors a few times and it started to work again.

Next day same thing occurred. Drives ok otherwise.
Yesterday went to move the truck to the street and battery was dead.

After a bit of digging, someone mentioned that the BCM (Body Control Module) might be bad.
Any easy way to troubleshoot this?


Is this replaceable in the garage or does Ford dealer need to do this work?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Windows will not operate. Opened door to get out and tried again and the windows then were working. Took her for a drive and went to open the windows and everytime I move the switch, the running boards would deploy. Opened and closed the doors a few times and it started to work again.

Next day same thing occurred. Drives ok otherwise.
Yesterday went to move the truck to the street and battery was dead.

After a bit of digging, someone mentioned that the BCM (Body Control Module) might be bad.
Any easy way to troubleshoot this?


Is this replaceable in the garage or does Ford dealer need to do this work?

Any help would be appreciated.

Do the windows not operate from the LF door master switch, and all the individual door window switches? Do the rear tilt-out windows work?

Have you examined the wiring inside the rubber accordion LF door conduit (near the door hinges)?

 

[grey1169]

Widows do not operate from any window switch. The rear tilt out does work (that is the switch on the roof).
I have not done any examinations yet. Just wasn't sure where to start.
The reason I think it is the BCM is that the you need to open and close the door to "reset" the module. It also drained the battery so I think that since the system isn't "going to sleep" it is leaving everything on.

I will check the harness you mentioned tonight to see if there is anything. I will also look at the window switch.

 

[DeafBringer]

Start with the basics first: battery. These newer vehicles do NOT like it when the battery drops below standing voltage of 11.4-12 volts. Usually electrical gremlins surface when the battery is on it's way out. Check the battery under load, you might have a bad cell or a cell that is dying. Typically replacing the battery fixes these type of electrical issues. Start with the basics and trouble shoot via elimination before going down the route of the most expensive repairs.

 

[grey1169]

Thanks for the great suggestions. Here is where we are now.
I checked the battery as this is a really good suggestion and I know how sensitive electronics can be. The battery was 7 years old. It was still working OK but since this is the vehicle that carries the grandkids in when we do activities, it was a good idea.
The issues were still the same. I didn't realize that the battery was this old so I thank you for the suggestion.

I was able to open and close a window then it stopped working again. I wiggled the accordion connector piece in the door and everything started working. I haven't had an issue yet. That is only because I ran out of time. Today I will be taking it out longer.

As I got to thinking I was hit in the drivers door a year ago and had the body shop repair it. I wonder if the connectors just "came" lose. I will do more on it this weekend.

I want to thank both DeafBringer and 99WhiteC5Coupe for the great suggestions. I tend to go worst case scenarios before checking simple things so many thanks!!!!

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[grey1169]

I am using Mitchel1 for a guide to try to remove the connector. The diagram states there is a connector that you click and pull it out. My setup appears to be just the wiring harness going into the door and into the body. Is there a trick to this? I am unable to find the connector. All I have is a rubber boot that covers the whole wiring harness.

 

[grey1169]

Update::Mechanic I take the truck to stated that it was a pinched wiring harness in the door-body connector area. They fixed the affected wires are we are good to go!