Ford E-350 Instrument Issues

Enjoying my time with solo trips in my 2016 2351 PC.  Unfortunately I am having issues with my Ford instruments that began after about 2500 miles and occur from time to time after driving 30 miles, 80 miles 120 miles or so.
What happens is one of a number of things that none actual affects driving, speed of driving, steering or braking, so other than anxiety no apparent driving issue.  I may have the speedometer and RPM gauge go to zero while again speed is maintained, the various warning lights go on either all at same time, or various ones on and off, including other instrument gauges, temperature, check engine, brake, all the concerning ones, and then all goes back to normal.  This issue may re-occur and did yesterday for about 80 miles, quite a light show.
The first time this occurred I was traveling about 65 mph down I-35 South of Austin when speedometer and RPM gauges where at zero and a good portion if not all of the warning lights were on and I exited quickly to a Shell station.  Shutting off the engine I called Ford Roadside Assistance as I opened up the hood expecting to find disaster though I found no apparent problems (no smells, no overheating, all vessels full).  Ford Roadside Assistance technician had never heard of a similar report and suggested that I might go on to my campsite and then take it to a Ford Truck dealer since there was no apparent evidence of problems other than the instruments.
In that instance I had to use the white toggle switch to get power and once started all the instrument went back to normal for a while.
I did take it to a Ford Truck dealer who indicated that it could not find any problem with a diagnostic search of the computer or with test driving for about 50 miles.  During the next three of four short up to 100 miles trips, no other light shows occurred and all was happy with RV travel.
Yesterday traveling from an overnight stay at somewhat remote Colorado Bend State Park in Texas (about 116 from home), after traveling maybe 10 miles of the return trip home, included slow travel over rough road, I pulled over to close the water fill door and to do a walk around to see if anything else needed attended.  I had turned off the engine, but the ghost had returned and the chassis battery seemed to be dead and all warning lights on.  With the chassis battery down, though it had not been remotely a problem, I was able to toggle power after starting the generator, but from that point to home I had the issue of the instruments intermittently on and off all together or a few intermittently without any affect to the running and driving of my PC. 
I have a couple of options for other Ford Truck dealers check out my PC next week to see if they can find the problem and I will report any updates.
Anybody else had this problem?
John

We have not had that problem with the Phoenix but I had a similar problem with a Volkswagon Rabbit many, many years back. It eventually was recalled and fixed free. The problem was the seal on the antenna did not prevent water intrusion. Water tracked down the antenna wires and ran into my fuse panel. Fuses and connectors rusted. After many trips to the dealer with the "nothing wrong that we can see" response, one VW dealer found the damage and swapped out the fuses. This was a short term fix since the entire fuse box assembly was rusted so they eventually replaced it all and replaced the flange thing that was supposed to seal the antenna. I don't know if your problem could be something similar or not but the water made connections randomly then the rust broke connections randomly. It all came to a head on a dark and rainy morning flying down the highway when I lost my radio (huh), then my headlights (whoa), then my windshield wipers (oh, sh*t)... by then I had pulled to the side of the road before anything else quit and had a chance to take me out.

I suggest a close look at the front and back of your electrical panels to see if water gremlins have gotten in there and wreaked havoc. You don't want your power steering, brakes, or other critical control systems to give out while you're driving. Those little computer analysis ports are cool and can diagnose a lot of things but NOT everything. My little Rabbit was pretty mechanical so not too much was going through those fuses but the newer vehicles have some major components that rely on the electrical connections.

I hope you find the solution quickly.

I haven't had that problem with the cruiser but have exactly those problems with a dodge p/u.  Searching the Internet, it appeared to be a fairly common occurrence.  Suggested fixes was the speed sensor in the rear end pumpkin.  I did isolate my problem to a problematic ignition.  I cleaned it well and so far no regular occurrences.  My symptoms were no speedo, abs light, check engine and neither the electric windows nor blower/fan would work.  By wiggling the ignition switch with key will also correct the situation.  Try that next time and it will tell you if the problem is in ignition switch.  In my instance battery power was never an issue.

Hi John--Glad you are enjoying your PC.  Bummer about the electrical gremlin, though.  I had nearly the same thing happen to me three months into my travels.  The rig was off while I was away for a bit and when I returned I found lights blinking, radio going on/off, all sorts of crazy stuff.  Long story short it was, like 2 Frazzled suggests above, the circuit board.  Ford took care of the issue under warranty.  Although they did not find anything to definitively prove that was the issue.  But they tried testing other stuff and apparently when you don't get your answers elsewhere, you replace the circuit board.  Must have been the problem, since that fixed it just fine.  Good luck!

Well, I doubt this is it because my Ford truck is older, but I'll chime in.  A similar thing happened to me when I had a faulty spark plug wire last year... pretty unnerving when you're dragging a loaded horse trailer.  Doesn't seem like the plugs would cause it, sounds more like circuits, but never happened again after I replaced them.   I am reading and learning a lot on the forum as I consider my PC purchase... it's invaluable.  Thanks all. 

Just curious John, did you get your issue resolved and what was the fix?

Swiftboart,
I took it to a Ford Truck dealer south of Austin, TX and they were unable to duplicate any of the warning problems and the computer did not show a history of the problem .
On several short trips since on non-jarring roads, the problem has not re-occurred.   I going on a 9-day trip to San Angelo St Park, Palo Duro Canyon St Park, Cap Rock St Park and home for approx. 1046 miles with home leg about 430 miles.  I will have my camera ready to take pictures should the issue begin again, hopefully not, but will be at least armed with evidence.  I will re-post after my trip, Thanks,  John

Swiftboart,
I took it to a Ford Truck dealer south of Austin, TX and they were unable to duplicate any of the warning problems and the computer did not show a history of the problem .
On several short trips since on non-jarring roads, the problem has not re-occurred.   I going on a 9-day trip to San Angelo St Park, Palo Duro Canyon St Park, Cap Rock St Park and home for approx. 1046 miles with home leg about 430 miles.  I will have my camera ready to take pictures should the issue begin again, hopefully not, but will be at least armed with evidence.  I will re-post after my trip, Thanks,  John

I have had things like that in thr past, in every case, it was either the ignition switch wiring plug or the plug into the ECM.  It is obvious (to me) something loose as you say.. rough roads tebd to cause it.

Update -  Good news so far, after the 9-day trip no issue with the Instruments/gauges malfunctioning.  I now have 4200 miles.  Still a puzzle but did not take away from the wonderful trip to Palo Duro Canyon and Cap Rock Canyon Texas State Parks, maybe more so if you like a variety of trails and views.