I replaced the heater core in my 1999 f-150 4.6 and now it will not start unless the panel dim is turned all the way up so the dome light is on. And if you shut it off while running, all the gauges shut off. And if you try and start it without it on, it will start then it shuts right off. Not sure if something is shorted out or a wire is pinched or something, any ideas? any feedback will be much appreciated!! thanks guys.

 

Was you ever able to find your issue? I am fighting the same problem now.

 

Generally a symptom of a bad ground, usually due to body rot behind one of the kick panels.

 

No offense to anyone but there's a lot of humor in this. A vehicle that won't start without the dome light on! It's like my truck won't go over 55 unless Sammy Hagar is on the radio. The original post was from May of 2011 also and no one responded.

 

Probably because no one back then understood the problem and what causes it because it would have been rare The trucks have rotted quite a bit since then and this sort of symptom has become rather common.

Wait til you get the next generation body style that will only start and run when the brake pedal is pressed or the lights are on.... Pretty much whenever you have a set of symptoms where something works only when something else, seemingly unrelated, is "on", it's a grounding issue due to a corroded or open ground.

 

Sounds like a good theft deterrent

 

I am having the same issue has anyone been able to figure out the problem?

 

For what I'm reading in above solutions.....It is probably a bad ground usually located in one of the kick panels??

 

just pulled the panel off and it is really rusty. I will have to wait until tomorrow to fix it. I will update if that was the fix. Thanks

 

Takes some pictures detailing the issue and provide some good identification information, it will help future forum members.