Electrical problems with 98 Expedition - please help me

[MikeSpector]

I have an interesting problem that I need help pinning down. First, I have had a problem with my interior lights for about 3 weeks. They come on as usual when I get in the truck but they stay on continuosly until about 1/2 hours after I shut the truck off. This problem has happened for the last several years, about once a winter, during a cold snap. It usually only lasts a day or two but this year it hasn't stopped.

The big problem though started last night. Everything was fine on Thursday when I used the truck. Last night, when I got in the truck I could hear a fan blowing. I didn't even have the key in the ignition yet so it took a few minutes to figure out that the defroster fan was blowing air even thought the truck wasn't running on the key turned to accessory.

Then I started the truck and noticed that the air bag light was on. As I started driving I noticed the speedometer wasn't working either. Then the check engine light came on and stayed on. I also noticed that the running board lights had quit working. As a final problem, the automatic transmission wasn't shifting properly. It would rev the engine about 1,000 rpm beyond the normal shift points and then slam into the next gear. Reminded me of my old hot rod with a shift kit. It also downshifted just as harshly.

I checked the truck this moring and the running board lights have come back on and the air bag light now flashes on and off instead of staying lit all the time. Other symptoms remain.

Can anyone offer any help or suggestions as why all these seemingly seperate systems would go haywire all of a sudden and at the same time?

Thanks in advance.

[bearcat329]

you may have some water in the fuse box thats located in the engine compartment, thiers 2 of them, have you tried spraying wd-40 into the door lock mechanisms? do it on all of them,
multiple system failures at the same time could indicate a short in the fuse block due to water, i've read of this happening , try blowing the blocks out with compressed air
hth
Rick, Ore