Lights flicker with the car off?

Fatstang · 02-03-2010, 01:24 PM

We found an issue with our 2005 Ford Freesytle with 51k on it. As of recent (but who knows really how long it has been doing this), the amber turn signels (that are in the headlight housing) would just flicker (dim) like a strob with the car off and no keys in the car? WTF? When you hit unlock on the keyless remote the cars headlights turn on, that is how Ford did it on this car. So my thoughts are, are we picking up other signels that are partially triggering the keyless remote system? I also noticed when leaving in the Mazda with the garage open, and i go to hit the garage door remote to close it, it sometimes doesnt work on the first push of the button, (batteries may be dying), but ever hit of the button, the Ford's turn signels would flicker, like i can control the lights before the garage finally closes. What would cause this, what should i do? Disconnect the car battery and change the batteries in the garage remotes?

markstang · 02-03-2010, 01:58 PM

I think you should call the ghost busters just to be on the safe side. that sounds pretty crazy

mustangman4 · 02-03-2010, 02:03 PM

I found something with the headlights flickering with no key in the ignition but nothing for the turn signals.

Fatstang · 02-03-2010, 02:27 PM

what did you find about the headlights though?

YellowJacketGT · 02-03-2010, 03:10 PM

does it have anything aftermarket like a remote start? Other than that at work i have seen some fords with the printed circuit fuse panel short out causing some weird electrical problems. Mostly though on F-450SD's. The other thought would be that the garage door and the keyless system are using close to if not the same frequency. And thinking about it there might be an issue with the BCM (body control module) if its still under warranty i would definatly take it to the dealer.

Fatstang · 02-03-2010, 03:19 PM

Found this TSB http://www.fordtaurus.net/forums/vie...php?f=27&t=541
I just have to check the date the vehicle was built but i believe it falls under that date IIRC. The car has no aftermarket anything as it sits. How much you think a reflash would cost?

Dynotune · 02-03-2010, 03:46 PM

I'll bet it's a bad ground back feeding. My old 91 Escort had a problem like this and it was a ground wire on the harness running along the drive side of the engine bay. The car only had 43k on it when the problem started.

mustangman4 · 02-03-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatstang

Found this TSB http://www.fordtaurus.net/forums/vie...php?f=27&t=541
I just have to check the date the vehicle was built but i believe it falls under that date IIRC. The car has no aftermarket anything as it sits. How much you think a reflash would cost?

Thats what I found to. The book time to do a reflash was .5/hour. I would say $150. Although its been awhile since I have been in the dealership, the Smart Junction Box aka GEM module is located above my feet on my Freestar and was on my Windstar. Besides grounds like Mike had mentioned I could say water intrusion? If it is above your feet maybe take it inside for the night and let it dry out and see if it comes back. I was looking at the diagram for the SJB and looks to be two grounds that feed this. I still cannot tell where it is located but this box feeds everything from headlights to instrument panel lighting.

Fatstang · 02-04-2010, 06:58 AM

the car is garage kept so it stays pretty dry. i called Ford and they said it would be $115 to reflash it, but wont hurt anything if we dont do it, may suck the battery life a few weeks prematurely.

Codi_P · 02-06-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynotune

I'll bet it's a bad ground back feeding. My old 91 Escort had a problem like this and it was a ground wire on the harness running along the drive side of the engine bay. The car only had 43k on it when the problem started.

+1 Bad ground is what I thought as soon as I read the first post...