hey guys, joined the forum a long time ago, but hadn't been on in so long lost my user account.....

got a weird situation and did a search here on the forum but can't quite find the same issue. lately, my power door locks have taken to automatically locking when i start my truck, not after putting it in gear like it used to.

in addition, all the gauges peg out at maximum and then go back to zero, then up to where they should be.

is this something that i can fix myself or am i looking at taking it to the dealer for a reflash?

 

Don't know about the door locks.... but my truck did the gauge pegging thing when the battery was going out. Replaced the battery and the gauges behave normally when starting.

 

yeah, thanks for that. the battery seems to be okay, but it is the original battery from 2003, so i guess i should take it in to autozone and have it load tested.

i've found through searching that most of the problems that people are having with the door locks relate to the actuators and the symptoms include sluggish operation, operation not available through the remotes, etc. i don't have any of these symptoms, just that the doors lock right when you start the truck, and then when you shift into drive, you can hear the actuators engaging.

i wonder if it is the battery, could that cause the door lock issue too?

 

A bad battery can cause all kinda of weird shyt man...

 

well, i haven't had a lot of time to really delve into this right now (12hr shifts/7 days) but i did take a quick peek under the hood. noticed some corrosion on the negative terminal so took it off and did a good cleaning (on both).

the gauges still do the maxi dance, but the door locks don't automatically lock on starting, but when i put it in forward gear (like they're supposed to)

will get a chance to further check it out during the thanksgiving long weekend.

 

I meant to post a few days ago but my work computer wouldn't let me. When I first read your thread I was going to suggest checking for corrosion, because my truck did it too. (oops! ) But good call on that.

As far as the gauges are concerned, I dont know what to say other than mine do that as well. They only peak for like a second, then go down, then back to thier accurate reading...But honestly Im not too bothered by it. It doesnt really seem to hurt anything, as far as ive seen.

 

As far as I know all late 90's / early 2000's OBD2 fords do the gauge sweep whenever the supply voltage to the cluster / ECU drop below a certain voltage. This voltage is not so low that the ECU can no longer control the ignition / fuel injection and run the engine. I know this from seeing a gauge sweep on my Mustang after push starting the car due to a battery just dead enough to not crank the motor over.

My and my dad's 03 F150s, my Mom's 1999 Expedition, my dad's 03 mustang and my 2000 mustang all either did or do the sweep when the battery power drops below enough to start the engine or the battery was disconnected. As far as I know, its a check sweep for the servo motors which drive the needles.

If the vehicle starts fine but you still get the sweep, the battery might be getting so old that it can no longer keep the voltage up to the computer overnight. Have it tested and replace if needed.

 

I would also have the alternator checked. Most aftermarket shops like Firestone or NTB will do one for free. Your going to need a battery, 7 years, thats a lot out of the battery, and no telling how long it sat around until it got used.

 

i'm not overly concerned with the gauge sweep so much, just thought it was interesting that it was doing that when it didn't use to. what really had me concerned was the power door locks automatically locking when i started the truck. especially since i went out one morning to start it cause it was cold and didn't notice and locked my keys inside. $60.00 later, i know make sure i have a spare key

it had seemed that after cleaning the battery cables and ensuring tightness, the locking situation was done with. well, i thought wrong. it had stopped for a couple of days, but it is back to doing it again.

i'm gonna have to take the battery in to autozone and have it tested.

i thank everyone for their suggestions.

 

For what its worth, I also did the same thing. My battery was alright after cleaning the corrosion off, but after testing it out at Autozone I ended up need a new alternator. That was roughly a year and a half ago. Havent really had any problems (eltronically) since.