Hey guys,

2018 XLT SCREW - I have had 2 squirrel incidents since January where they ate my wiring, resulting in non functional dash controls, but windows and steering stuff all still worked. A month in the shop each time repairing it, I seem to have a new issue. Right now I can't see any evidence of squirrels or broken wiring anywhere and the issue is intermission enough that it seems to me like it might be computer related/glitchy. But I'm looking for other thoughts.

So the symptoms. If I use the driver's window switch, it goes "squeek", and then I get a pop up on the dash that says driver's door ajar. Sometimes it says not in park. The other window buttons in the driver's cluster work fine. I also get these same messages when I try to adjust the seat controls on the driver's side. Then finally, randomly, a electronic parking brake error and hill start assist error will randomly pop up. Sometimes when I'm moving, sometimes when I'm just stationary. When that comes up I can't normally get the cruise control to set, until I bump the seat control or window, to pop the other error. Then the cruise sets fine. Lol, weird. On occasion, the window switch works fine too. But it seems to be getting less and less frequent that it works, and fails more.

Ok so all that in mind, I'm wondering if a reset of a specific module via forscan or something would benefit here? Do any of these components have a module in common? Any other places I should be looking to troubleshoot?

Thanks for any help!

 

Check condition of G300 (body ground) on driver-side lower left A-pillar. (I believe it is just above the manual foot actuated parking brake actuator - on the side wall). Just a guess based on the multiple items involved.

 

Well holy crap! The nut holding that ground down was loose! I tightened it back down and all the issues disappeared! I can't tell you how much of a relief this is, thank you so much!

 

Fixed, that is really great news and good advice from Home2#7

Did you purchase your truck new, just wondering how a ground strap got loose?

 

I purchased the truck used about a year ago, with around 35k miles.

The strap itself is likely from having the electrical work done. They replaced a bunch of wiring harnesses as part of the squirrel damage. The main nest was over the driver side front wheel well liner, and the harnesses that are attached there had a bunch of wires chewed through. There were others, too, and I'm given to understand that a number went through the firewall, so to replace the whole harness they had to pull most of the dash to get back there. (I can actually hear a 6 sided bit of some kind rolling around under the right side dash that they left in there). It was quite a bit of work each time. $5600 the first, $4300 the 2nd. Thankfully insurance covered it.

Based on that, it seems reasonable that they didn't tighten this ground all the way.

 

Thanks that's certinally an interesting and appreciated explanation, good your insurance covered it.