parking brake and tmps dash lights on

[George G.]

I was driving to work this morning and all of the sudden, I hear a chime/bell going off....my parking brake light was on and my TPMS light was blinking. I confirmed that my parking brake wasn't set, then started to pull over to check my tires. Before I could even do that, they both turned off at the same time. Tires were still aired up properly. This was about 30 minutes into my commute. Has anyone seen this before?

btw, 07 Expedition EL

It didn't happen this evening.

[JoeShmoe]

Well I have never heard of anything good come from the TPMS. Everyone I know that has is says it will always stay on and its a pain to get it straightned out. My guess is that its somehow tied into the Parking Brake Light, and when the TPMS went off it also tripped the brake light.

[George G.]

It's actually worked for us on a few occasions when we got a couple nails in a tire. Once I aired it up, it turned off. But it didn't affect the parking bake light at all. It was definately strange and hasn't happened again ever since.

[George G.]

Well, looks like this may turn into a visit to the dealer. It came back on this morning as soon as I started the truck. I also noticed that in conjuction with the TPMS and parking brake lights being on...the guage cluster is illuminated, the message center shows Door Ajar and Tire Pressure Monitor Fault, the turn signal indicators don't work(although they still blink on the outside), the automatic lift gate won't open via the dash button and neither heated seats work. AND, when I turn the truck off and lock it, the dash cluster is still on

The condition remained the whole way here this time. Even through several stop/restarts.

The part that sucks is the Ford dealers around here don't give out loaners. So since this is my only truck, I have to pay for a rental.

[JoeShmoe]

That is some BS, well yeah sounds like a relay must have blown. I believe a bad relay can make things go haywire.

[NesOne]

When you plan to take it to the dealer, find out how long they will need the car there, and what I would do, is call out sick for a couple of days (provided you have and are able to use sick time), and that way you save yourself the cost of the rental, and don't lose out on your pay. Just my 2 cents...

[George G.]

Just thought I'd give an update in case some one else has this same problem. Everything started working normal by the time I got home the other day. I was hoping it would stay on long enough to take it to the dealer but no such luck!

However, it flashed for a couple seconds while driving down the hwy earlier this week.

I'm not sure what it could possibly be... I may have to start carrying the camcorder so I can record it and show the dealer.

[JoeShmoe]

I will probably do it again, these problems always do.

[George G.]

I was going to the dealer a couple weeks ago for an oil change and the issue occured again... I was so excited that I'd be able to show the dealer the problem. BUT, it turned off before I got there. They were too packed so I ended up getting it done at a quick lube place.

As strange as this may sound, I think it had something to do with me skipping an oil change. I normally change it every 5,000 miles. But this last time, I just could not find the time to get it changed. I ended up going about 10,000 miles when I finally changed it...but ever since, the problem has not been back at all

Is it some kind of warning to stop the truck? Could the sensors not funtion correctly with dirty oil? Was it trying to say "hey dumbass, change my oil"? I have no idea. I wish I would've checked the oil level to see if it's consuming too much but I didn't think about it. All I know is that it hasn't done it ever since. I'll probably check it at my next oil change to see if it gets low after 5,000 miles.

Just thought I'd give an update.

[gtmud]

You have an 07 EL right?! With all the electronics on that edition, you need to get into the dealer to get the computer put on it. There will probably be a code set, even though there is no "engine" light. Besides, I would think that if you are such a (High dollar) customer that they would find some way to take care of your transportation needs. Your under the warrenty, get it in. Also a word of advise, STOP using the quick lubes, it is the easiest way to void your warrenty, especailly if they are using the wrong grade oil. (5w20, at least 7 quarts in the 5.4)

[George G.]

time for another update!

the instrument cluster finally died. I think I went a month without any problems, thinking it had something to do with skipping an oil change...but nope.

a couple weeks ago it wouldn't start one morning, waited about 5 minutes, and then it started right up. I talked to the service manager and he took it to the shop foreman, checked the ground connections and ordered a cluster. He said they've been seeing this problem with F150's. A week later it wouldn't start again, this time for good. I had power to everything else but the cluster....no cluster lights or anything. Had it towed to the dealer. They replaced the cluster due to being faulty and was thinking that was it. After I picked it up, I drove maybe 5 miles and the lights/cluster issue came back. I took it back and they spoke with Ford and said it was some module that sends all the data to the cluster and controls all the cluster functions. so they replaced that and the SM drove it home to see how it was and it came back again on his way to work.

So as of now, they've checked all the ground connections, replaced the instrument cluster and some module and are still stumped as to what could be causing it. I have a feeling this is going to take a while. The good news is it's happening a lot more frequently so the dealer is able to see the problem and not have to deal with an intermittent issue.

[JoeShmoe]

Dealer's mechanics always take the easy way out. Take it to an automotive electrician and get Ford to pay for that bill. They will surely find what the problem is.

[mustangwilliams]

hmmm.. I dont think you need to go to the dealer yourself. You can always go online and check out some truck parts and buy it. You save time.






unauthorized advertising link removed

[George G.]

I don't know why this truck can't work right.
On my last visit...see post #11, they thought they had it narrowed down to the module that controls the rear lift gate so they replaced that as well. Finally they uploaded some custom software to the new module that controls the new instument cluster and the problem hasn't returned.......

Until now

It was only for about 10 minutes but the wife was left stranded with a dead truck. Wouldn't start, no clicking, no nothing. She finally decided to tell me that the cluster light issue happend a couple times the past couple days. She waited about 10-15 minutes and the freakin instrument cluster decided to wake up and start....as if nothing ever happened.

If the truck could speak, I think it would have said "meh, don't worry driver...I was merely taking a nap. We can go now"

So she took it back to the dealer once again where it sits.

I did find out from the last visit that Ford had the dealer work with a local electrical shop for all the diagnosing and stuff. He said this time he'll be calling Ford's "engineers" and hope to know something. This one is definately eating their lunch. With 600 bucks in rental charges last time, the techs time(and I'm sure it was a lot of hrs) plus the outside electrical experts' fees...i'm sure they want this thing fixed as badly as I do.

stay tuned.....opcorn:

[ciscokid63]

Have you found out the solution to this problem? I had the same thing happening along with loss of ac power etc. problems with liftgate. We were on a long trip and almost didn't get home. It's at Ford right now and they seem a little clueless about what the actual problem is and what to do to fix it. They are replacing parts but no fix yet. Any good ideas?