Like the title says, I have some odd isses with what I think are just power connections. For starters my F-150 is a 2007 4.6L 4x4 XLT Triton w/~185k miles on it.

What I noticed a few months ago was that at times, my horn wouldn't work. This was noticed when I didn't hear a honk after using the key fob to to lock up. Found that the horn wouldn't work when pressed on the wheel either. At that point in time I tested a light bar that was installed before I bought the truck and the light bar wouldn't turn on either. Then I drove some where else, maybe something jostled enough and both would get power and work. I checked lines from the battery to the light bar and everything is connected well, so I assumed it was somewhere under the dash where the issue was.

Just two or so days ago now, my door controls began failing intermittently. Like they would be working just fine. Then I'd park and take out the key, put it back in, and they were dead. And I mean not just the window controls but the mirror control and the lock/unlock button too. That could work vice versa also, not working to working after coming back to the truck later in the day. For this reason I'm lead to believe that it isn't the door panel control thats gone bad, but some connection or relay under the dash that I honestly don't know how to access.

So, with all that info out there, my first question is has anybody else had this issue? If so, am I on the right track with this diagnosis? And then how the hell do I get in there as a faily novice level vehicle electrician? How big of job am I looking at and are there any youtube videos that might help me out here? Thanks for the help y'all

 

I would pull the kick panels just forward of the driver and passenger doors and clean the grounds for starters. I would also pull fuses one at a time, inspect, reinsert. Problems with door controls can be caused by fatigue failure of wires in door jam area. Failing (the wire breaks) wires will cause intermittent failures at first. Provide feedback on what you find.

 

Good suggestions already.

Re: wires in door jamb area:

Pull up panel on floor along driver’s door edge to inspect wires running along floor. Look for cracks/breaks and or evidence of water/corrosion.

Door wiring: pull apart rubber boot (near hinge) and inspect bundle of wires for breaks).

consider removing/disconnecting aftermarket light until you get everything sorted out.

 

So I have done some more research into this issue after checking fuses and staring at some wires. Found a similar post on this website for the same issue.
https://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57078

There is the link. The thread goes over a few different fixes different people found for their issue. I tried to WB-40 since thats easy but no luck. I don't have the tools, time, or the confidence that comes with experience to get into the splicing and regrounding that it looks like I need to to after taking my door apart. So I'm just gonna see if I can find an vehicle electrician in my town to help out.

 

did you find broken wires ?

If you just want/need to clean up grounds, then that should be pretty doable if you wanted to take it on. A little time/work, almost no tools, and pretty hard to mess anything up (as long as you disconnect battery before starting).

 

No I didn't find any broken wires in the kick panels. Or a fuse/relay issue in the fuse box. What I don't have is a multimeter to see if my grounds are good and while it might cost more I think I should get some one who knows what they are looking at to take a look and help me understand whats going on. Luckily there is a good electrician in my town who I'm going to meet with tomorrow morning to see if we can diagnose exactly whats up.

 

ok. Hope it goes well. If interested. Look for a thread I started, something about ‘does anyone have a list or diagram of all grounds ‘ or something to that effect. Someone posted a link to great online diagrams. And I made a text summary of locations. No point paying someone to look for the locAtions. Good luck. Post back back what you/he finds.