04 F-250 Dash Power Goes Out

[Tio Pancho]

Coming back home from camping this weekend the power to all the gauges went out momentarily. Truck didn’t die. No other symptoms. Just scary seeing the needles sweep all the way down and back up. Stereo went dark and started back up also.
Was busy today with no time to google.
Putting this here to see what comes from the brain trust until I can look into it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[catmandu]

My 2003 did the same thing, mine turned out to be bad connection at the plug in the alternator. Also check and make sure neg battery connections are clean and tight.

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

My 2003 did the same thing, mine turned out to be bad connection at the plug in the alternator. Also check and make sure neg battery connections are clean and tight.

Same thing on my '03.
Bad connection.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Also, I have seen temperamental connections at the tilt column to dash area. Usually on trucks that have more than one driver though. It's easy to check though, with key on, move the column up and down and see if gages get goofy.

 

[Mototrig]

Check for loose relays under the dash and listen if any of them chatter when keyed on engine off.
Has it rained recently? Your windshield seal could be leaking water onto the GEM module. Pretty common in the 99-03 models, maybe 04 as well??
Good luck

 

[Ghit]

Same. For me it was the tie cable between batteries turning to powder.

-Upgraded to an LN alternator.
-Extended the ground from driver side battery to engine. Created ground from alt to body even though LN drawing says not a ground.
-Kept the stock fused link and added a larger cable with bigger fuse from alt to passenger battery.

Took some doing, the work was based off this guy's video,

There are kits to buy also if you don't want to really get into this much. Either way marine grade cables.

Also just check your braided grounds, there are 3 IIRC. I've got a few years and a few thousand miles since I did this change so it seems to have fixed something.

 

[Tio Pancho]

I replaced the alternator connector a few months ago. May need to check it. Grounds had also crossed my mind. Thanks as always. Any more ideas, please keep ‘em coming

 

[HNL2LHC]

My buddy has a F-250. His dash would go out and would affect other things. He commented that it was the dash itself adn needed to be rebuilt to resolve the issue. I just bought a GMC to keep from having the issue myself. Although I will have a dozen more issues with GM’s product. LOL

 

[Shlbyntro]

I replaced the alternator connector a few months ago. May need to check it. Grounds had also crossed my mind. Thanks as always. Any more ideas, please keep ‘em coming

similar. My Excursion did this once 2 start cycles before the alternator let all the magic smoke out. I swear if I could find a way to can that shit I would be a rich man

 

[Tio Pancho]

similar. My Excursion did this once 2 start cycles before the alternator let all the magic smoke out. I swear if I could find a way to can that shit I would be a rich man

You let the smoke out?!
Everyone knows you don’t let the smoke out.
Here’s an old trick I was taught – if you kink the wire like you would a garden hose, it stops the smoke from coming out.
You can thank me later.

 

[Hightyme]

My 06 did it a couple times then went off completely as well as windows and stereo was the plug on the back of the cluster it’s a common thing from what I read online I had to buy a replacement and worked great and pretty easy to install

 

[fishing fool]

05 on start no power to AC or fan controls. On line search said to shut motor off turn head lights on and off restart. It has happened to me a dozen times and this works everytime.

 

[SBMech]

I have found many occasions of the main power lead from the battery to the main fuse link loose and arcing. Open the cover and look.