Ok Guys and Gals… I am new to this forum but I have been desperately seeking a solution to my electrical problem woes. I have the utmost faith that out of the hundreds of people that regularly read this forum someone will be able to give me the information I need so badly…

Let me start with the specs on my truck:

1997 Ford F-150 SuperCab with a 4.6 V8
Power windows and door locks
Very few modifications with the exception of a Borla twin exhaust exiting just behind the passenger side door and a 45w x 4 Panasonic CD Stereo

Now to the good stuff… Here is the problem. Most cool and damp mornings I am unable to get the windshield wipers to work, the dome light will not function, and the power windows will not actuate. All three of these problems happen at the same time and all seem to be connected. Every single time this happens it is all three problems at once.

I have tried replacing all of the fuses (even though these three electrical systems use separate fuses) and I have taken my truck into Ford on 2 separate occasions, all to no avail. Now the second time I took my truck in, one of the mechanics said that there is some kind of computer that all of these electrical systems share but since the problem would not act up for the mechanic he could not justify replacing the computer. (Yes, just like all good electrical problems this one seem to be shy… It hides from the mechanic every time!)

This problem has been going on for over a year now and has been steadily increasing in frequency (now I can almost count on the problem every morning). Just to add to the confusion, sometime the problem happens on a warm and dry day, and in all cases the problem vanishes after about 30min of driving! (I have noticed an audible “click” or “pop” coming from a relay under the dash near my left foot every time the electrical system comes back online.)

If any of you have any information on this problem or have experienced the same phenomenon, please let me know. I am more than willing to replace any component as long as it will fix the problem! Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Ripper-Joe :P

 

Well, this shows how new I am to this forum... After posting I read thru the rest of the forum and noticed that Pauld is haveing the same problem with his '97 F-250! Hopefully someone can help Pauld and myself out. Thanks again!

Ripper-Joe :P

 

There s a GEM (general electric module) located under the dash near where you are hearing the noise and it is the "computer" the mechanic was talking about. It could be possible that there is a bad connection at that point. I would try unpluging it to look for problems and then just plug it back in and see what happens. Replace if it happens again.Or now that it is happening more often maybe another trip to a repair facility would let a tech. see it in action.

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2000 XLT Bright red, Flareside,extended cab,sport,5.4,bedrug,Extang tonneau.

 

Thanks for the reply Nitro... I am going to give that GEM a look. I will post back the the results as soon as I am able to do a bit of testing.

Ripper-Joe

 

Yup. The GEM module... Could also still have the phantoms in the wipers... there was a recall or TSB for wiper troubles. See if the dealer has the record for it... they can pull it up and see if yours was fixed before.
-Joe-


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98 Explorer (Lemon Law Case in Progress)

'00 F-150, X-cab, 4x4, Lariat, Off-road, Trailer Tow, Holandia Sunroof, built 11/99 picked up 10/00!Clear Corners, Manik Stainless Steel 1-piece brush guard, Custom CB wiring, Uniden PC76-XLW CB radio with K-40 Magna-Mount antenna (for now), 1 set of 165 watt KC Daylighters (for now... more on the way) Custom switch mounting plate and overhead console.
List of planned mods: Clear tails, color matched trailer hitch with stainless steel ball, torsion bar tweak, bug deflector, spray in liner, and a tonneau of some sort...

93 Probe GT teal, OE rims painted to match, bone stock drivetrain.

 

Joe my name is Tom and as i sit here now the windows in my 97 f-150 are down and won't go up along with the wipers and the dome light and the 4x4 won't work too. Please e-mail me
at te194@aol.com if you found out the problem. or anyone else. Thank you

 

yo joe have you check out the dome light screws in your truck contacting against the roof of of vechicle and shorting out and could it be possible this all happen after going thur one of the drive thur car wash places where the big heavy washer roller goes across the roof and shorted out the fuses (lol) try shorter screws on the dome light so it doesnt make contact against the roof about a 1/4 in off hope that helps ya joe

 

fordtec2001,

I went through a touchless car wash on friday
and ever since then, my door ajar light comes
on and dome light doesn't shut off. My door
locks are not locking when pressing on the brake
after taking off, and my thermometer on my
overhead console ois all whacked out..

It stayed like this all weekend, and I sprayed WD40 in the door little arm thingy.
And caked it in there, Finally this morning
all my problems are solved. I beleive like what you said about the dome light in the rear of the truck, it could be that the screws are too long.. I have an apointement
tomorow with the dealership to take a look,
and to replace the daytime running lamp recall
circuit at the same time...
I might not be able to get this problem
fixed if theres no problem for them to troubleshoot.

I'll let you guys know what they find, if they find anything..


Morley

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Sport
5.4L ORP s/c
Power everything
Ravin Z33 3" SI/SO Performance exhaust
Tinted windows
Vent Visors
Bug Deflector
Ford Duraliner
Ford Racing Shoulder Pads
Pant savers
Airforce One FIPK
Ford Duraliner

Next: Superchip, pulleys, TB spacers, Electronic supercharger.
Maybe a lift kit if I can know enough about them

 

Well, It seems that FORD agrees with those of you who pointed to the GEM. My '97 F-150 is now in the dealer shop having the before mentioned GEM replace (at the cost of $136 for the GEM and $160 in labor.

The "Service Advisor" I spoke with said that this is a problem that he (and presumably FORD) knows about. Maybe it is just me but shouldn’t there be a recall on something that is known to disable power windows, dome lights, and windshield wipers? (Especially the later, due to safety concerns)

I am surprised that in two previous trips to the dealer this GEM was overlooked! I just hope this fixes the problem once and for all...

Oh, I am considering writing a letter to FORD about this problem. What do you all think? Do you think I would get anywhere with it or do you think FORD would just blow it off? I love my F-150 but I am concerned for others that have this problem. Let me know what you all think... Thanks again for all the help.

Ripper-Joe

 

wow,
ripper-joe they (the dealership) charge me $175 for the gem and 75 for putting it on there computer to let me know that, yep it the gem module.So with that, maybe you can smile a little bit as you saved some money.

 

I got my truck back today and so far the problem seems to be gone! For everyone else’s benefit here are the specs on the GEM...

Part Number: F85Z-14B205-MA
Made in Canada
Barcode: PB3A3A4447

Size: 2" tall, 5" wide, and 1.25" thick
Color: Black
Connectors: One high density 64pin connector accost the bottom edge (black) - one 18pin connector on face of module (red)

Mounts: 3 screw tabs on the sides and one slide-locking socket on the back of the module.

Here is a summary of the charges applied for my service visit…

Test battery and recharge… $34.00
Test fuses and relays… $68.00
New GEM Module… $159.28
Labor on replacement of GEM… $136.00


Summary of Charges for Invoice:

Parts $159.28
Lab-Mechanical $238.00
Sub-Total $397.28
Tax $11.15
Total Charge $408.43


Well, I hope this helps out the rest of you who are having similar problems… As for me, I think I need to get started on a letter to FORD. Good luck to the rest of you and thanks to all that helped to point me in the right direction.

Ripper-Joe

 

i work at a ford dealer, and i always fix that problem by just replacing the battery saver relay and accessory delay relay. I guess they replaced those by looking at your bill, but it doesnt look like they priced them to you the first time. Makes me think they replaced the GEM module and that didnt fix it, so they put the relays in.

 

There was a TSB on these issues... don't have the number handy, but it was listed on the NHTSA TSB search board... it is a known problem and they have a series of fixes listed to correct it.

-Joe-

 

that nhtsa tsb stuff is pretty weird, we have customers bring in stuff they've printed off that site with tsb's that we have no record of at the dealership. i think they also use their own numbering system too.

 

I am having the same problems but even to the extent where I cant get it to go into gear (automatic) I had it towed to the shop this morning, but I wanted to know the outcome of your porblem and what it might be so I know what to expect