Dash light issues

[tkb539]

2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 ext cab, dash lights go out randomly, for a few seconds then back on. when they go back on I hear a sharp click coming from under the dash by glove box. Anyone had this issue or any ideas would be welcome.
Thanks, Tim

 

[adsm08]

Off the top of my head I can't think of any cause for that but a loose connection somewhere. That should till have some bumper to bumper warranty on it, unless you ran over by miles already. If you are under 36K I'd get it into a dealership and let them worry about it.

 

[tkb539]

60,000 miles on it.

 

[adsm08]

Dang.

So just the lights kick off, all the gauges and warning lights don't do anything odd.

 

[stegomon]

Did you install an after market stereo? If so the wires in that could be the problem if it was not hooked up right. That happen to some one on a gen one exploder

 

[tkb539]

When the dash lights and dome light go out, the door ajar, low tire pressure and anti- skid idiot lights do come on. like I said it happens only for a few seconds, not enough time to try and figure it out. I keep
hearing its a bad ground, no idea where to start though. All stock , stereo and all.

 

[tkb539]

Bump

 

[ab_slack]

This happen while driving? And no hiccup in running? And dash gauges don't move?

I know my 02 explorer has a relay that kicks off interior lights after a period of time if they are left on or door doesn't get closed all the way. It makes a very audible click. That is all that comes to mind.

All that lighting up on your dash seems like it is re-initializing. I don't know what is in those newer ones. The only thing I drove that new had an all digital dash that when you put key in to start it ran thru a quick initialization self test lighting things up and even gauges would swing to limits and back. I don't think that was a ford product tho.

 

[enjr44]

Does the 2011 have a GEM (Generic Electronic Module)??

On my 2002, I had all kinds of weird things happen when I turned the key from run to start. Dash lights would blink. Doors would lock or unlock. Wipers would just turn on (one swipe) and then back off. I thought I was going off. Looked into the problems here and everything pointed to the GEM going nuts.

Anyway, this started last April or May. The battery was still the one that it was delivered with in August 2001 (really, really old). In June I decided to put a new battery in the truck. Took the old one out, truck set around for about 4 hours before I got the new one installed.

All the problems went away and have not come back. I don't know if it was resetting the ECM and GEM (battery removed) or the old weak battery providing low power during start.

Every time I start it I am waiting for the weird crap to happen again.

If yours were mine, I'd disconnect the battery for an hour of so and see what happens, Ed