Electrical Problems?

67boost · Apr 3, 2016

So I have several different issues that I need resolving, but I feel some of them may stem from the first.

First and foremost. Advanced Trac, ABS fault. This has been plaguing me for months. Started off intermittent. Continually got worse until it was on 100% of the time. I did as much research as possible trying to figure out what's wrong, but 98% of what I found was for older trucks. I have checked for chaffed wiring to no avail. I finally replaced the entire front left ABS sensor on the front left wheel (decided it was front left because the ABS would pull hard to front left). This helped for a week or so, but now any time I hit a hard bump, it'll come back for some unknown period of time. It's NEVER consistent. I've also read this can cause other issues with other readings?

2nd. Temp issues. Recently while driving along regularly, the temp went from normal and shot straight to red without warning. I pulled over and found that the over flow tank was still full and all seemed normal. It didn't do this for another 2 weeks. Now, regular driving the oil reads at about 220* almost all the time. I did find a small leak at the filter, but the oil level is totally normal. The coolant temp will also jump around or read hot, depending on it's mood that day. Again, it does not draw from the overflow. I replaced the thermostat to be safe with no effect. Could this just be a sensor issue? If so what might the causes be?

3rd. Wipers will not turn off. When put to the "0" setting, they stay on 1. I assume this is just the switch on the column and a replacement from ebay is cheap. I wanted to use a Ford scanner for 2 minutes or less to see if it was the switch or motor, but for told me $100 minimum and I said hail no. What's the usual culprit here?

I'm getting ready to take the truck on 2 separate 2k+ miles trips in the next couple of months and need to sort this crap out. Really hoping I don't have to deal with the dealer, as the one in town is a complete sham. Best one I know of is a little drive from me.

Thanks guys

EDIT: These cods also come up from time to time, then disappear. P0471 (something to do with a backpressure sensor?) C0034 (I think to do with the advance trac?)

redneck1 · Apr 3, 2016

Other than the abs codes, what codes are you getting? Also have you checked alternator output and batteries? Seems simple, but electronics don't like weird voltage fluctuations. Do you have any scanner or way to get the codes?

Beyond the edge of reason

67boost · Apr 3, 2016

redneck1 said:
Other than the abs codes, what codes are you getting? Also have you checked alternator output and batteries? Seems simple, but electronics don't like weird voltage fluctuations. Do you have any scanner or way to get the codes?

Beyond the edge of reason

I put an edit on the post for the only 2 codes I have that spring up from time to time.

Have not checked ALT or batteries, although batteries are quite new. Good place to start though.

TyCorr · Apr 4, 2016

If you cant burn it, get rid of it. Awfully new for crap issues like that.

Sorry I wasnt much help but its really my suggestion. Those issues can be hhearbreaking and financially draining replacing harnesses and sensors.

To keep on topic here, have you figured out what wiring feeds the circuit thats raising cain with you? If you are diving in and fixing this yourself, i would find the involved harness and take it out, start checking wires. Then sensors. And even grounds. After that, I'd begin questioning shielding or voltage supply in the entire electrical system itself.

Edit: have you ruled out your tuning and added electronics doing something ***ky?

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

ALSO!

My heater. Cool works great. Turn on heater and it works great for 10 minutes, then goes to ambient temp. I can try anything and everything to get it to come back, but won't work until I let the truck sit for a while and try it again.

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

TyCorr said:
If you cant burn it, get rid of it. Awfully new for crap issues like that.

Sorry I wasnt much help but its really my suggestion. Those issues can be hhearbreaking and financially draining replacing harnesses and sensors.

To keep on topic here, have you figured out what wiring feeds the circuit thats raising cain with you? If you are diving in and fixing this yourself, i would find the involved harness and take it out, start checking wires. Then sensors. And even grounds. After that, I'd begin questioning shielding or voltage supply in the entire electrical system itself.

Edit: have you ruled out your tuning and added electronics doing something ***ky?

EDIT #2. I found that C0034 MAY be the code for the right front wheel speed sensor like I replaced on the left. I will probably replace that one as a precaution.

I know.. It was one of my hesitations when buying a newer truck. Seeing as just about everything is electronic means that one little demon can screw up half the truck.

I have not specifically found the wire or harness that's the issue. That's what I am trying to figure out. I did find the harness that usually gets "chaffed wires" causing these problems and can see it'd be no easy task to remove an check. That will be a later on the list idea.

No tuning. Truck is stock. Only added electronics are subs and I have ruled those out.

Codydiesel · Apr 4, 2016

As far as the wipers it's the switch on the column mine did it for the longest time, got a new one at ford for $25 I think and replaced it been good ever since. It's a tiny module pretty much and they go bad a lot. as far as oil temps I don't know how much miles are on your truck but I'm gonna go with your coolant has broken down and clogged the oil cooler and heater core. Best bet is coolant flush and replace oil cooler. Now to your abs issue I had a similar one on mine except mine went into reduced power and limp mode as well. Mine was corrosion build up on the ecm plug and also build up on my battery terminals , cleaned everything up and made sure it had good connections and never had a issue again.

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

Codydiesel said:
As far as the wipers it's the switch on the column mine did it for the longest time, got a new one at ford for $25 I think and replaced it been good ever since. It's a tiny module pretty much and they go bad a lot. as far as oil temps I don't know how much miles are on your truck but I'm gonna go with your coolant has broken down and clogged the oil cooler and heater core. Best bet is coolant flush and replace oil cooler. Now to your abs issue I had a similar one on mine except mine went into reduced power and limp mode as well. Mine was corrosion build up on the ecm plug and also build up on my battery terminals , cleaned everything up and made sure it had good connections and never had a issue again.

Figured on the wipers. That's easy.

Truck has 122k on it and climbing rapidly. Hoping to remove some things soon.. Can check the coolant and such.

No corrosion on battery terminals. Haven't checked ECM plug. In fact, don't even know where the ECM on the truck is, lol. I'll give that a check. I have not ever had a limp mode issue. Still going to try and replace that front sensor as well.

Would anyone say that I could replace the oil cooler myself? I have plenty of time working on cummins, but I know these are significantly more complicated.

Codydiesel · Apr 4, 2016

You could do the oil cooler easily, ford designed the job to be done with the least amount of time possible and can be done with simple hand tools. It's pretty much out in the open.

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

Codydiesel said:
You could do the oil cooler easily, ford designed the job to be done with the least amount of time possible and can be done with simple hand tools. It's pretty much out in the open.

I'll look into it. Any way to quickly tell if this is in fact the issue?

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

So I just picked up a new switch for the wipers and a new right front speed sensor. Will get these in ASAP and see what I find.

As for the heat issue, I spoke to a mechanic personally at our local dealership who was super nice and very helpful. He said while he hasn't really seen any clogged oil cooler issues, it's not something that couldn't happen. I talked to him for a bit about what I was planning and he said it pretty much made sense. The only thing that puzzled him was the heater issue. He said either the heater core is clogged or it isn't. He said there's usually no in between. Not sure if that's true or not, but that's what he relayed to me.

He told me to take the truck home, get it hot, remove the thermostat and flush it for a long time with my garden hose. He said their flush system wouldn't do any better of a job than that. he then said I could drain the oil and replace the oil cooler, then refill the system with coolant. That's probably what I will end up doing.

Anyone else ever encountered this issue?

Also how many gallons of coolant do these trucks hold? I plan on using fords orange concentrate coolant.

sootie · Apr 4, 2016

my 2012 just started doing the wiper thing yesterday....

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

sootie said:
my 2012 just started doing the wiper thing yesterday....

I bought the switch. $35 from Ford. Will report back if it fixes it.

EDIT: That fixed it! Took me 2 tools and about 10 minutes. Wipers fixed!

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

Update.

So on my 20 minute drive to class, I figured out something important. Under acceleration, the heater will go full heat if I ask it to. If I reduce load, it goes back to ambient temp.

Also, the harder I drive and higher rpm I see on the truck, the more the temps cool off. If I idle or drive at a consistent rate, it gets hot.

This means one of 2 things.

1. Water pump is failing. Unlikely as these trucks don't seem to have water pump problems like the previous trucks.

2. There's a blockage in the coolant system and when I spin high rpm, it's able to get coolant past it like its supposed to.

Going to replace cooler and get the system flushed.

sootie · Apr 4, 2016

do you still have an e g r cooler on the truck?

Str8Ugly · Apr 4, 2016

ill be doing the wiper module part on mine soon, as mine just started going non stop until i pulled the fuse for it.
ive been having abs issues with mine as well, on yours it can either be the part is bad or u have a chaffed wire somewhere.

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

sootie said:
do you still have an e g r cooler on the truck?

Yes. Hopefully Finding a different home at some point.

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

Str8Ugly said:
ill be doing the wiper module part on mine soon, as mine just started going non stop until i pulled the fuse for it.
ive been having abs issues with mine as well, on yours it can either be the part is bad or u have a chaffed wire somewhere.

That's what I was doing, just pulling the relay. Mine is now good.

I believe it's the part. Last time I had a code for the left front, replaced it and it went away. Now have a code for front right. Already bought it and will be replacing it tomorrow. Will report back.

67boost · Apr 4, 2016

Wellllllll I feel stupid. If you read my signature you'll find I'm from the cummins world. My knowledge (or lack there of) is pretty limited.

This entire time I thought the coolant overflow tank was the small forward tank just behind the radiator. I did not realize it was the large tank off too the right. The tank is bone dry and well below the cold level. I believe that's the issue. I do see a small amount of coolant on the trans, but have no clue where it's leaking from. Going to fill the truck tomorrow and see what it does.

Feel free to judge. I feel quite dumb!