2003 Ford F-150 weird starter problems

[jcmando]

I have a 2003 Ford F-150 with about 100,000 miles on it.

A couple of weeks ago I got into my truck on a very humid day after it had been sitting all weekend and there was air blowing out the vents. The air conditioner was turned to the on position so I turned it off and the air stopped blowing out.

I started the truck and it lagged a little as if the battery was slightly drained, but otherwise it started with no problem.

The radio was came on when it started, but when I pulled it into reverse, the radio turned off and the clock went blank and looked like it does when the engine is off. I drove on to school because that's where I was headed.

After class when I got in to go home the air would still come with the engine turned off. When I started it and pulled into reverse the radio went off again.

This went on for about 2 days and then stopped happening.

Then today a couple weeks later after a good rain it had problems starting when I got in. When I got to school I turned it off and tried to start it again but it wouldn't start. I noticed when the key was turned off the digital odometer displayed dashes, but it read normally when the key was in the on position. The theft light was also flashing.

When I got out of class it wouldn't start for a while and then all of a sudden after sitting with the key in the off position the odometer went blank like it should be and when I tried to start it it started right up.

What's the deal?

[chuckkenney]

I'm not sure of the '03's but I had a similar prob on my 97 f150. There is a buss bar connector at the end of your steering column under the dash. When you turn you key to the on position a long rod mechanically moves the buss bar to apply batt. voltage out to the relays, when you turn the key to "start" it moves it over one more space to engage the starter relay. Sounds like moisture is getting across this buss bar and allowing 12v to distribute just like you would have the key on. check to see if you have leak around your dash/firewall area. If you can get to the buss connector without taking the dash apart, you may try spraying WD-40 or other moisture displacing product on it. Just a first guess.