My headlights have been turning off when i hit my turn signal or after I come out of a turn.
You know how when you pull the turn signal lever IN your low beams turn off and the high beams flash? well, whats happening is when i hit the turn signal lever it moves in JUST BARELY and the lights go out. Theres a small window in between low and high beam where neither lights are on. well the switch usually ends up in this positions and the lights go out. Any idea on how to fix that? The lever has to be pushed out as far as it can go without actually going into high beams only. its really frustrating because sometimes they go out even if i just hit a bump.

 

Could be the MFS is just worn out from the PO misusing it.

You can remove it and try cleaning it, but from what you describe, is sound like the contacts are a bit worn, causing the symptoms.

 

sorry I'm not very savvy in these things. What is the MSF? Also, I hear a lot of talk about something called a GEM. What is that as well (off topic but I figured I'd ask)

 

Sorry, MFS is MultiFunction Switch, or as you posted, the Turn signal lever.

It is called MultiFunction due to it being for the turn signals, high / lo beam switch and the wiper / washers.

The GEM is the Generic Electronic Module. This controls quite a few things in the 97-03 MY F-150s.
Prior to this, there were individual modules ( WCP = Wiper Control Module, LCM = Lighting Control Module are 2 I can think of off the top of my head ).

Starting in 1997, these individual modules were grouped into a single module ( the GEM ). The thing that remained separate was the RAP ( Remote Anti-theft Personality ) module. This was what the RKE fobs communicated with, as well as the door keypad. The function and pin out changed a bit in late 00 to a CSM ( Central Security Module ), but this was just the 2nd revision of the same thing.

 

so take apart and clean/check out the MFS and potentially replace it for my headlight problem.
and for my (unmentioned) malfunctioning power windows, power mirrors, and left door lock, potentially the GEM. alright! lol

 

If only it was that easy ( no moving parts in the GEM )

Driver's door, with that list I'd think broken wire, but that is just a huge SWAG.

Did you have a chance to test the power window motor solo ?

The power window motor has a pigtail on it that you can test to.


If you need directions on getting the door panel off, Muth signal mirrors has some good directions on their web site. www.kwmuth.com Enter your truck info, and on the products page are the PDF for download.
Once you have the door panel off, you can reach in through the speaker and apply power to the power window motor pigtail.

Next would be to test for power at the switch, depending on the results of that test.

The test chart for the MFS.

 

first off, thank you for all the help. much appreciated!

i assumed it might be the GEM because both power windows are out. The switches draw power because when you hit the switch if the dome light is on it will dim a little like it does when anything draws power.

I'm going to tear into this weekend and see where that leads me. That link will def come in handy.

 

That sounds like the motor is held up ( almost rotor locked ) which would be the problem in this thread.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/el...dow-motor.html