this morning i went out and started the truck...2000 f150...when i turned on the headlights, i had no dash lights (1) both turn sig indicators were on (2) as well as high beam indicator (3) after checking it out, if i turn the a/c switch off, or the lights off, the turn sigs go out (4) if i turn on those things, sigs go back on with high beam indicator (5) when the key is out and i open the door, there is a crazy clicking sound (6) and the flashers flash very very quickly (7) (i found that in the fuze box under the dash, the first/top relay thing is clicking away like crazy (i took the single cover off and saw this) the dome light burned out (8) if i switch on the a/c, it turns on the flashers steady and wont blow air, but make a strange whining sound (9) this is not from the blower but the dash. dudes i am begging for something anything to help me get in the right direction........please and thank you!

 

has it been raining?

do a search for GEM

 

It sounds like the GEM is shorted out from water intrusion in the fuse box. Water leaks in from the windshield and drips onto the GEM. It is attached to the back of the fuse panel inside the cab. As good scan tool thet can read the GEM DTC's could confirm this.

JMC

 

hey i searched for gem? no matches....what is a gem? or dtc? sorry for the dumb questions. it hasnt rained in weeks....

 

With this new version of the forum you can't do searches for words with less than 4 letters.

 

fordarmyof1,

The forum software gave the error message prior to the last upgrade, it is a 4 character min, as Tical84 posted.

Use the term GEM* to make the 4 charater limit.

GEM is the abreviation for the module that controls a few things in the truck, like auto down windows, etc. I want to say it is General Electronics Module ?? took a SWAG at that, I could be wrong, been some time since I actually read the whole name outloud, to recall.

The DTC is the engine code ( Diagnostic Trouble Code ) that is assigned to an error condition, the "message waiting" light for this is the CEL or MIL ( Check Engine Light or Malfunction indicator Light ) on the dash. A scanner is what is used to obtain the number(s) of the DTC, and then a good service manual will point in the direction of things to check. Some revisions of the manual are better then others in terms of getting the check list correct. Few around here have that art more then science knowledge base that is useful still in the process of repairs.

As for a good scan tool to get GEM DTCs, I don't think you are going to get this at AutoZone, I think they still use the Actron one, which is very light on deep scanning processes.
I have not tried my new version of Autotap to know if it does this or not, so I cannot say there, if it works better or not. Start out with taking a look up behind the GEM ( after you do the search noted above ) to see if there is any noticable signs of water damage, this could be a long term item, that is just now coming to roost.
The sight diagnoses of this, is iffy at best, but you could see some obvious signs, to point to it ( green fuzzys back there, if you are brave enough, seperating the fuse panel and the GEM, to look between them, not exactly a fun job ).
No stupid questions, if youare new to this, it could be a bit scarry to read, but it is really old school still, see what is broken.
I have seen posts, where this is about 700 to 900 to fix at the dealer, don't know if this included removing re-caulking the windshield, and reinstall. This is something you could do on your own if you are careful with it, else any windshield place could do it.

 

Fordarmyof1,

Before we go any further, do you have any aftermarket electrical accessories? Like a remote start or an alarm? Audio equipment or the likes? Driving lights?

JMC

 

Good point, I guess problem diagnoses 101 is still in effect here :o

Steve

 

yes i had a radio and speakers put in. but its been fine until now. i noticed yesterday that the dome light is burned out. but the strange thing is as you look at the fuze box, there are 2 (relays?) in 2 black plastic covers. the top one is the one that was clicking away like mad, you could see it gong crasy. i pulled the fuze a couple rows down and the clicking stopped. but im not sure what the fuze or the relay did. this morning while i was pulling into the parking lot, all of a sudden i got all dash lights back and signals worked as norm. then suddenly away they all went again. so im still stumped. the radio was put in by the guys at best buy so they should know what they are doing. car runs fine except for this. and i guess i could live with it....but I DONT WANT TO I WANT IT BACK TO GOOD! thanks guys......

 

The relay you are refering to is the Interior Lamp Relay. It is controlled by the head light switch and the GEM. Please explain what youi mean by i got all dash lights back.

JMC

 

for a few seconds the dash lights came back on....4 seconds maybe then off again. my friend said to replace the interior bulb cuz its blown. so i am off to do that now. he said to replace the relay as well, will post when i get back.

 

What dash lights is what I need to know? The illumination bulbs? The ones that allow you to see the guages at night?

JMC

 

LOL....Sorry, but the Best Buy guys would be my first major concern

 

yes the illumination lights. they are out. i put in a new interior bulb and nothing. it doesnt work. so there is a problem there. and the relay that is going crazy is #1 (audio). the fuze that stops it is #14. but turn on the light switch and what i get is....no illumination, both turn sigs on steady, high beam indicator on steady, no interior light, and no a/c.....still looking anybody got the manual on digital to spare?

 

Did you have the radio work done recently? There is a least one circuit in the radio harness that this problem could be attributed to...If the deck and speakers were installed recently, I would definately start there...