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Old 10-02-2010, 08:53 PM
smelwelo smelwelo is offline
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Default Airbag, dome light, instrument panel/cruise/high brake light

Hello All
This is a wonderful forum. Thanks for all the tips, trix and help.

First - I think I now know the issue with the dome light/door ajar light now. Seems to be a common problem. I think I can fix that. Have had the bulbs out of the dome light for over a year now.

Airbag - blinks either 4-6 or 4-7, so is probably the connectors under the seat. Occasionally it blinks 4-3 - unless I miscounted. I think I can fix that too - but airbags are so scary to think about messing with.
(aside - spoke with local ford service rep about this. Said that when the airbag light blinks air bags DON"T work. No it wasn't a recall fault - even though airbags are mandated and I might get killed in a crash if they don't work and ford would be liable. He was real uncomfortable talking about it. Upshot - they ain't gonna fix it.)

Then - this is the weird one -
The instrument bulbs on the far left of the cluster are off/out. I think it's two bulbs. All other instrument and dash lights are fine.
The cruise control lights on the left side of the steering wheel are out. Right side is fine. Haven't tried the cruise in a few months - worked last time I used it.
Eye level brake light is out. Cargo lights work. Replaced bulb in eye level brake light - old one was good, new one doesn't work. Bed brake lights work, as do blinkers and 4 ways.
Have not looked at fuses or relays yet.
Had the recall done for the brake wiring harness - the one where the truck might catch fire if brake fluid leaks. Seems that since then the eye level brake light doesn't work. Any body else?

Is it possible that the instrument lights mentioned, cruise left side lights, third brake light are on the same circuit or share some fuses?

Thanks in advance for any hints about this.

There's no icon scratching its head.

Locally FORD means Found On Reservation Dump. That's a joke.
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2003 XLT Extended cab, long bed, 3.0L, 5 sp manual, bone stock, Electric locks, windows.
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  #2  
Old 10-02-2010, 11:16 PM
Clinton Clinton is offline
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Default Re: Airbag, dome light, instrument panel/cruise/high brake light

I dont believe they are related, maybe all coincidental. I had alot of the similars thing wrong. Its a simple bulb replacement for the cluster, The airbag light, like you said possibly the connectors under the seat. The third brake light..Check the connection at the harness(just a guess)
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Old 10-03-2010, 03:05 PM
smelwelo smelwelo is offline
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Talking Re: Airbag, dome light, instrument panel/cruise/high brake light

Alrightee then - went to the parts store - got electrical contact cleaner, silicone lube, di-electric grease (bulb grease). Shot the door latch holes fulla contact cleaner, did it again, and again til the juice ran out the door vents - then waited for a bit and shot some sili lube in the holes til it ran out the vents. Door ajar light is now off, and I put the bulbs back in the dome light which now works as it should.

Before messing with the airbag connectors - disconnected the battery - waited for at least a half hour before messing with the connectors - I read somewhere that there's some kind of capacitor associated with that airbag circuit and it needs to discharge before unplugging the connector. So I did the battery terminal maintenance thing while I waited.
Found the connectors for the underseat airbag light thing - took 'em apart - shot 'em full o contact cleaner, and again, and again - then used a q-tip and the di-electric grease to lube the pins and holes - put it back together - and VIOLA - air bag light OFF!! HOOO RAY!
turns out ford has a TSB - TSB 04-2-4 to deal with this issue. I could not find a picture or pdf of the tsb.


Now the other issues. That will have to wait for another day. This one wore me out. I ain't a s young as I used to be and a whole lot stiffer - and that truck is kinda small.
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