Persistent electrical issues following body damage.

[biggestjosh]

OK @RangerBill and @airline tech this is all so helpful, I'm planning on sharing all your thoughts with the shop (I've got a torn rotator cuff and can't crawl around to test these ideas myself). The only challenge I think is that the issue comes and goes. I just took the truck for a drive this morning to see if anything's changed, and now none of the issues are present (they just seem to come and go...). So hopefully there will be visual evidence of a short or something, because otherwise we can't be certain that a lack of issues means we've fixed it...

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[biggestjosh]

Actually, I realized it's not uncomfortable for me to take off the tail light. I removed the right rear tail light and @airline tech I think your theory was spot on. The connector to the BLIS module was soaked in water and has some fresh looking blue goo corrosion, which confirms to me your hunch that when the body shop removed the tail light, they stored it in such a way that caused the moisture in the tail light assembly to pool around the module and its connector. Pics here.

 

[airline tech]

That will cause the issues, unfortunately I cannot confirm the actual (Pinout) for that connector as its internal to the light assembly - so I do not have a diagram showing which pins are actually showing corrosion - in the meantime - temporary fix - dry out the connectors and clean the corrosion off, it may allow for normal operation until you locate a Light Assembly & BLIS Module the replacement module must be programed to the truck

The BLIS or SOD Module is the same part number for both sides, however the (As-Built) data sets its position (Installed) Left or Right and the As-Built data also has the VIN# as this is one of the modules on the truck that has the VIN# embedded into the module programming.

So before removing the old module - make a back-up of the current installed module or take a picture of the data and then install the new module and load the existing data (saved file) or manually input the data (Line by Line) and write it (Via Forscan)

A new module will be blank - a used module will have the (off) trucks data programed to it, so you have to overwrite that data to match yours (more specific) the VIN#

Anything (OEM) will be expensive, but there have been aftermarket options released in the last couple of years that are cheaper, some notes on replacements
Keep in mind that we have 2 options (Standard and LED) and with the LED you need to ensure that the BLIS module is included, actually the BLIS module MAY be fine and it's just the connector issue causing the problems, I would recommend replace the light assembly (Root Cause - Cracked) and replace the BLIS module with it, less chance of issues returning if only replacing the Light Assembly.

 

[biggestjosh]

@airline tech and @RangerBill a bit of closure to this story for you both. I shared those photos of the corroded connector with the body shop and left my Ranger with them again a few days ago. They looked at it as well and saw even more corrosion all around inside the tail light, and were actually able to get insurance to cover a full replacement of the entire tail light as well as a new BLIS module. Just got the truck back yesterday, seems like everything's in the clear now. Thank you both for your help diagnosing the issue, I imagine I'd still be trying to get this figured out without you guys.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Actually, I realized it's not uncomfortable for me to take off the tail light. I removed the right rear tail light and @airline tech I think your theory was spot on. The connector to the BLIS module was soaked in water and has some fresh looking blue goo corrosion, which confirms to me your hunch that when the body shop removed the tail light, they stored it in such a way that caused the moisture in the tail light assembly to pool around the module and its connector. Pics here.

Ch-ch-ch Chia pet

 

[airline tech]

Awesome news - glad it was covered

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