Yesterday I noticed the door adjar light going on and off with the interior lights while driving. I got home and cleaned all the door latches too no avail. I then hooked up the laptop and it said that it was the rear liftgate. I pulled the trim panel and cleaned the latch and switch again but still no help. I then disconnected the switch connector and the lights still stayed on. I took it for a little drive and I noticed that when I hit the bake pedal the door adjar light and the dome lights go off but as soon as I let go of the brake the door adjar light comes back on with the warning chime and the dome lights come back on. I also noticed that the LEFT turn signal makes the warning chime go nuts but the right signal is fine. Also the rear wiper dose not work when the door adjar light is on but if I hit the brake pedal making the door adjar light go out the wiper works. Does this sound like a GEM problem or something else?
Electrical issues
- Thread starter robbieg
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
Thermo
technical advisor
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
- Posts
- 1,404
- Reaction score
- 65
it is sounding more like a multifunction stalk issue. That may be causing all that you are seeing. It may be another issue, but I am pretty sure part of you problem is the multi-function stalk.
Thanks Thermo I appreciate the info, I replaced the stalk several years ago but it may be time for another. I knew that the stalk had the turn and brake lights running through it but does the dome light/door ajar circuits go through it too?
Thermo
technical advisor
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
- Posts
- 1,404
- Reaction score
- 65
Robbie, no, the dome lights do not go through it, but at the same time, if the stalk is back feeding power some how (affecting a lot of other things), it may be getting to the dome light some how.
Your year truck, the turn signals and whatnot have nothing to do with the GEM module. That is why this is interesting. I would say just to make sure, check the floor at the driver's feet to see if it is wet. If you notice that this is much worse after it rains or you wash the truck, then I would be looking at the GEM module. Granted, need to be looking at fixing the windshield first.
Your year truck, the turn signals and whatnot have nothing to do with the GEM module. That is why this is interesting. I would say just to make sure, check the floor at the driver's feet to see if it is wet. If you notice that this is much worse after it rains or you wash the truck, then I would be looking at the GEM module. Granted, need to be looking at fixing the windshield first.
I actually had the windshield replaced about 8 months ago because of a water leak. Everything went nuts, blower, relay, etc. I pulled the fuse block and GEM back then and dried everything good. Everything had been working fine up until yesterday. When the new issues started yesterday I checked for water and felt up in the dash but everything was dry.
Robbeig,
Sorry to high jack your thread but I'm curious about your "I Hooked up my laptop" comment. What is required to do that? Can you do it with a Mac? Do you have a pin out for the cable? I got a '99 Eddie Bauer yesterday and it threw a check engine light on the way to sign over the title. The guy had just reterminated the battery connection so I figured it was related to disconnecting the battery. It had no light during previous test drives and seems to run great.
Sorry to high jack your thread but I'm curious about your "I Hooked up my laptop" comment. What is required to do that? Can you do it with a Mac? Do you have a pin out for the cable? I got a '99 Eddie Bauer yesterday and it threw a check engine light on the way to sign over the title. The guy had just reterminated the battery connection so I figured it was related to disconnecting the battery. It had no light during previous test drives and seems to run great.
THIS is what I use. You have to get the software and the cable. It's about as close as you can get to what the dealer /Ford uses without spending $1000's.
Thermo
technical advisor
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
- Posts
- 1,404
- Reaction score
- 65
Tacsat117, look on Ebay. There are tons of units that allow you to connect a OBD-II reader to the truck and then via a USB port, connect it to your laptop. As for which one will work with your Apple laptop, you would have to read the description and see if they include the Apple software.
Another option is if you have a Bluetooth port on your laptop or on your cell phone, they also make Bluetooth code readers that you would then plug into your truck. From there, you install some software on your phone and you read everything through your phone. You can get real time data displays using either method.
Another option is if you have a Bluetooth port on your laptop or on your cell phone, they also make Bluetooth code readers that you would then plug into your truck. From there, you install some software on your phone and you read everything through your phone. You can get real time data displays using either method.
madmawler
New Member
I have a problem very similar to that with my 2002 4.6 expedition
madmawler
New Member
2002 electrical problem
I had a problem very similar to that with my 2002 4.6 expedition.I replaced the rotors and pads on my rear disc brakesyesterday.then all of a sudden my door locks were starting to go up and down, the flashing lights were flashing, the interior lights were going on and off, and the door chime was ringing. I looked underneath the dashboardand when I wiggle the wiring harness going to the brake light switch, all the problems with suddenly stopped. could a failed brake light switch cause all those problems?
I had a problem very similar to that with my 2002 4.6 expedition.I replaced the rotors and pads on my rear disc brakesyesterday.then all of a sudden my door locks were starting to go up and down, the flashing lights were flashing, the interior lights were going on and off, and the door chime was ringing. I looked underneath the dashboardand when I wiggle the wiring harness going to the brake light switch, all the problems with suddenly stopped. could a failed brake light switch cause all those problems?
Bedrck47
Full Access Members
madmawler
explain your problem in detail you posted before my reply
Could be a short in the wiring I would check the wiring going to the gem and also to the security module which is mounted above the gem
grabbing the wire harness to the brake switch my have resulted in other wires being moved
Could also be a ground connection. Check the ground connections behind the drivers side kick panel
explain your problem in detail you posted before my reply
Could be a short in the wiring I would check the wiring going to the gem and also to the security module which is mounted above the gem
grabbing the wire harness to the brake switch my have resulted in other wires being moved
Could also be a ground connection. Check the ground connections behind the drivers side kick panel
Last edited:
madmawler
New Member
try the simple repairs first
After replacing the rotors and pads on my rear wheel disc brakes, I experienced those same electrical malfunctions that everyone else on this thread was talking about. The next day without having performed barely any diagnostic procedures, I saw a Ford dealer on the way to work. So I went out on a limb and bought a new brake pedal switch before I actually had any clue about was causing all those problems. It only cost me about $28., so no great loss if that wasn't what I needed. When I got home I spent about 5 minutes of my time, and no tools, and everything was back to normal. Apparently when I squeezed the caliper pistons back in to make room for the new rotors and pads, it pushed the brake pedal back just a tiny bit which was enough to misalign the switch where it mounts to the top of the pedal. It's not the old school type brake light switch where one wire goes through a momentary switch, which closes the circuit, making the brake lamp illuminate. I think the ground for all those lights and buzzers and door locks and chimes is in the harness that goes to that switch, and once the switch malfunctioned, all those other systems went wacko. Strange electrical problems like that can often be traced back to a bad ground somewhere in the electrical system. Good luck.
After replacing the rotors and pads on my rear wheel disc brakes, I experienced those same electrical malfunctions that everyone else on this thread was talking about. The next day without having performed barely any diagnostic procedures, I saw a Ford dealer on the way to work. So I went out on a limb and bought a new brake pedal switch before I actually had any clue about was causing all those problems. It only cost me about $28., so no great loss if that wasn't what I needed. When I got home I spent about 5 minutes of my time, and no tools, and everything was back to normal. Apparently when I squeezed the caliper pistons back in to make room for the new rotors and pads, it pushed the brake pedal back just a tiny bit which was enough to misalign the switch where it mounts to the top of the pedal. It's not the old school type brake light switch where one wire goes through a momentary switch, which closes the circuit, making the brake lamp illuminate. I think the ground for all those lights and buzzers and door locks and chimes is in the harness that goes to that switch, and once the switch malfunctioned, all those other systems went wacko. Strange electrical problems like that can often be traced back to a bad ground somewhere in the electrical system. Good luck.
AWD EXPY
Full Access Members
Same issue as I have now this week. I haven't checked the rear wiper though. Hopefully I'll get it figured out.
american steel
Full Access Members
my 2002 did this a couple of times. then it stopped. never did that again. same symptoms you described too. I never looked into it just let it go figuring oh well. my first vehicle too.
High Roller
Member
I have some electrical problems too
Here is my problem. My wiper ...the rear window...sometimes it works...sometimes it wont..(short)? My turn signal will blink fast with tilt wheel down.. up...works fine...same with my driver side brake light...up tilt wheel works fine..down ...only running light works if lights are on. So my running light will work when tilt is up or down...brake light drivers side only works wheel up....strange... 2000 expo xlt 5.4
Is this a major problem? My brake light in dash when I park does not come on either unles tilt sterring is up...meanwhile i just been driving with wheel up...not my cup of tea.
Here is my problem. My wiper ...the rear window...sometimes it works...sometimes it wont..(short)? My turn signal will blink fast with tilt wheel down.. up...works fine...same with my driver side brake light...up tilt wheel works fine..down ...only running light works if lights are on. So my running light will work when tilt is up or down...brake light drivers side only works wheel up....strange... 2000 expo xlt 5.4
Is this a major problem? My brake light in dash when I park does not come on either unles tilt sterring is up...meanwhile i just been driving with wheel up...not my cup of tea.
stamp11127
Full Access Members
You should create a new thread in the electrical section then I will delete this post.
Welcome to the site and I will look deeper into your problem after work today.
Welcome to the site and I will look deeper into your problem after work today.
It's your multi function stalk, replacing it should remedy all you problems.
