Automotive Forums

We have had some electrical problems with our 1997 Ford F-150 for a couple of years, but it is getting worse and I am looking for suggestions as to the cause.

The speedometer reads either 77 mph or is pegged all the way to the right no matter how fast we are going. The tach reads 2200. Using the turn signals will often cause the cruise control to turn off. The windshield wipers ramdomly speed up and slow down. But the worst thing was last week the truck would not start...evidently because the aftermarket anti-theft unit thought the truck was being stolen. After jiggling things around, pulling fuses on the unit, etc, the CD changer started buzzing (I know this sounds wierd...). We took the CDs out and the truck started!

Friends have suggested that there is some central electrical connection in the steering column that may be the source of all these problems.

Several months ago we asked a Ford dealer service department about the problems and they wanted $500 just to begin the diagnosis. We don't want to put a bunch of money into this truck, but if all these problems are connected and we could identify the cause, we would like to fix it before we trade it in.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Gozvrrm  

could be a short in the cluster...also check all power and grounds....a common issue i have found on these trucks is the electrical junction box on the firewall...the positive cable is loose because the conenection point breaks

Nick
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1  
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1, ASE Certified Service Consultant, ASE Certified Parts Specialist, Chrysler Certified Service Manager/Technician