Hello...

[EvilTwinTLR]

FNG here, just bought a 98 5.4 EB with 280k miles on it.

I did some searching, and I couldn't find some info on one issues that I saw on the truck.

1. Headlights don't go off at all, like ever. So drains the battery. I'm presuming it has a bad DS1294 switch, will replacing this likely solve that issue?

2. On occasion while driving, I'll hear a click from the back of the dash and all the 4x4 lights pop on for a second then go off, I couldn't find the part# for that switch, will replacing that solve that issue?

3. airbag light is on
4. ABS light is on, I'm thinking that's a speed sensor on one or all the wheels? Is that a biznitch to fix?
5. The Overdrive OFF light in the shifter flashes...


Given it's miles, condition, these are only a handful of issues that I'd be willing to dive into to fix. Elp?

 

[stamp11127]

Well with all those problems I hope they paid you to take it.....

Headlights run through 2 switches, main light and mfs. I'd test the main light switch first.

4x4 is controlled by the GEM, that is what is probably making the clicking noise that you hear. But that doesn't mean the GEM has failed. It has its own set of DTC's, better to get the codes.

Airbag light - failure in the system. Dangerous/deadly to work on when handling the airbags . If you don't know what your doing leave it alone.

ABS Light - better to read the codes before tossing parts at it. If you have to replace one sensor might as well replace all of them (past experience).

Overdrive - flashing light means failure. Not much life left in trans, baby it until it goes.

 

[EvilTwinTLR]

I was researching the flashing light, and I've gotten results anywhere from it needing a new $25 sensor to a bad torque convertor. I'm going to head out and have it hooked up to an OBDII scan tool, see if I can snag codes.

 

[EvilTwinTLR]

Ok, so I got 2 codes:

P1729 4x4 switch
P1000 ?

Here's what happened. Local temps get into the single digits overnight, and mid-upper teens throughout the day, I drove the truck around to get it to operating temperature, initially no O/D off light flashing. It got to normal temp, and a couple of things happened
The AWD 4hi 4lo and low wash light were all flashing and a clicking noise coming from the HVAC area all at the same time + the o/d off light started flashing/ I turned off the fan....the flashing stopped, turned it back on, back to flashing. So thoughts?

 

[EvilTwinTLR]

No one?

 

[rburch]

Are those the only electrical issues you are seeing? There is a known issue with the windshield leaking and dripping on the gem and causing these weird electrical issues.

 

[EvilTwinTLR]

That and the headlights don't ever go off.

 

[toms89]

Are those the only electrical issues you are seeing? There is a known issue with the windshield leaking and dripping on the gem and causing these weird electrical issues.

x2

That and the fuse block it piggybacks on. I had gotten water in mine and a/c fan would come on when the ignition was turned off and kill the battery. I pulled mine off, not easy, and dried it out completely and have not had a problem since.

Link to my original post when I had this issue.....http://www.expeditionforum.com/f16/interesting-issue-14336/

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

+1 on flashing O/D on/off generally indicates a fault w/ the torque converter. Mine did it nearly brand new back in the Spring of '97; big Ford said "no" to a new trannie, so new torque converter. I'd surmise dropping the pan and changing both filter/fluid would be in order on your list of TTD.

 

[toms89]

+1 on flashing O/D on/off generally indicates a fault w/ the torque converter. Mine did it nearly brand new back in the Spring of '97; big Ford said "no" to a new trannie, so new torque converter. I'd surmise dropping the pan and changing both filter/fluid would be in order on your list of TTD.

I got the flashing O/D light of death when I broke the 2nd gear sprag in my tranny drag racing.

Not typical part to break but could have something to do with the additional torque and higher rpm shifts. She was pulling like a biotch, at about 5700 in first shifted and then boom!!! Hello rev limiter.. (

 

[EvilTwinTLR]

Oh thanks for the link,that helps a lot. Is there a walkthrough on replacing the GEM?

And do ya'll think that would fix my headlights always on problem?

 

[EvilTwinTLR]

I'm guessing there's not?

 

[BANGEREXPO76]

I had flashing OD I thought it was my trans but the trans was shifting fine. It turned out to be my cats were clogged. Stuffed with carbon. Looked like concrete. We cut the rear 2 off to clean them and I decided to leave them off. Welded in some pipe and that instantly fixed my truck. It runs like a Mustang now. Just my .02

 

[toms89]

Oh thanks for the link,that helps a lot. Is there a walkthrough on replacing the GEM?

And do ya'll think that would fix my headlights always on problem?

I'm guessing there's not?

Sorry... It was a long process of disassembling the lower dash area. I just had at it and really did not take notes nor remember exactly would I did to get it out. Just remember it was a PITA. Not sure if anyone else has posted a walkthrough for it.

I would say yes there is a good chance your headlight issue would be fixed via gem / fuse block replacement... or just try drying them out completely. If water got in the gem module it will be in the fuse block as well. The fuse block is a series of buss bars and thin insulator tightly sandwiched together.

 

[toms89]

I had flashing OD I thought it was my trans but the trans was shifting fine. It turned out to be my cats were clogged. Stuffed with carbon. Looked like concrete. We cut the rear 2 off to clean them and I decided to leave them off. Welded in some pipe and that instantly fixed my truck. It runs like a Mustang now. Just my .02

Thats interesting. Maybe the pcm had recognized it could not shift into overdrive without large loss of power and incorrectly identified the tranny as the issue!?

 

[BANGEREXPO76]

Thats interesting. Maybe the pcm had recognized it could not shift into overdrive without large loss of power and incorrectly identified the tranny as the issue!?

Before we cut the cats. I took it to a trans shop who had done other trans work for me and me and the owner drove around and he had his "super" scan machine on it. I was prepared to rebuild. He was honest. He said its shifting fine. It had some engine codes and he wanted me to clear everything before we just up and rebuild the trans. He kept saying there is something else wrong causing it not to go into overdrive and ride rough. I was working hard on it and was replacing everything. Finally after there was nothing else to bolt on. I took it to the exhaust shop with an old school mechanic. He said you need to clean those cats out. I figured what the hey we tried everything else. So they cut them off. And low and behold. There was hard carbon all in them. They were horrible. I couldnt believe it really. it looked like concrete in there. They cleaned them out and was going to put them back up I said NOPE put some pipe in. Been humming and gunning ever since. it was night and day. No more blinking OD light no more stumbling. No nothing. It was faster had excellent torque felt very strong and still does. So yes I believe it was aggravating the PCM to the point the computer was putting the truck in "limp" mode. Which is what the blinking OD light means as well. Its not just indicating a trans problem.