I figured you guys might know more than the average bear about my problem.
Help me! (Sorry for the cross-post)

POST WHORE :p
well anyways I would check your battery connection like PA said....
can't think of anything else right now...
wait I can must get another beer

If post-whorin' is wrong I don't wanna be right!
I think Pollo and Hector will back me on that!

The problem is fixed. Thanks!

Hey I haven't been whoring that bad.....this week. Thanks for the info. I am doing so much to the car, and since it is easier to disconnect the battery than pull fuses my terminals should always be tight.

I replaced my factory terminals with some big hunks o'gold plated brass. They have the allen head set screw terminals, and one of them came loose, hence the problem.

Having a similar problem. Just got my car back after the whole "warped dash" repair.
It took a month for them to get it all sorted out but I got a loaner so it was ok. When I finally got the car back from the dealer (Sat.) the dome light and the radio lights were barely visible. I turned the lights on and the dash display and the radio were blank. Yes I checked the brightness dial. This afternoon my wife loaded both kids up and the car turned over and, her words, "made a funny sound" then it died. Running lights are dim, headlights are fine. Radio volume is fine. Display is not. All wires that connect to the battery are snug and in place. The wipers come on as well when you try to crank the engine.
They did have to change out the fuse box on the replacement and now it is some kind of flip down box in the same place as the old fuse box cover, but there is no door to open so it sits behind the dash and flips down. No clue where to go now.

One more thing, they disconnected the speedometer and the odometer and not I can't tell how fast and far I'm going. I love Ford quality.

Call Ford. Tell them that you have no working instruments in your cluster. Just inform them that between now and the time they get your car back to proper working order, they are responsible for any speeding violations or anything caused by their blunder. You will be in very quickly.

What about the "not working" problem? I'll be getting no speeding tickets with it sitting in the garage. They are towing it back to the dealership today sometime.
All I know is that it worked when I gave it to them.

Crapity crap crap! What do ya know! I go outside today, and the car clicks and clicks (sounded like a loud relay opening repeatedly), then stops clicking and the wipers come on! (sound familiar?) The OTHER wire (I'm guessing main ignition) mysteriously came loose overnight.
Looks like I'm going shopping for some battery terminals. I'd like the Lightning Audio ones with the sharp teeth that just clamp onto the wire, but they're a bit pricy for batt. terminals.

We'll see what I find.

ROTFLMAO

Does your speedo move too? I hit 130 with the engine off when my battery died.

I didn't notice the speedo move. Wasn't looking at it, and that may have contributed to me not seeing it. I suppose it's like that sign at Hooter's. You know...the one that says, "This sign is in Spanish when you're not looking." I hate that sign...I always leave hooters with a sore neck btwn. craning it at the ladies and whipping it around to try catching the sign off guard. :p

P.S. Run-on sentences ownz you all!!

Mine hits 130 with the engine running.

Sounds like maybe the fuel pump is not getting power T-Red. When I lengthened the wires when putting in my Optima (opposite sides) I had the black/yellow wire (I believe it is the fuel pump) loose and my car did the same thing. Just a suggestion.