wierd eletrical problem

[acemotorcar]

I have a 2001 exped that is intermittantly giving me some electrical problems when shifting from park to reverse or drive. On occasion the radio will go on and off and sometimes running board lights and overhead console spots as well as vanity mirrors wont work properly. Radio will either go on and off or will blink. Also when holding the cruise on button and pressing the set button the horn will sound. Started happenning after a day of rain and snow. I am thing about a wet gem module or possible ignition switch since these itiems run through switch. Also one time interior lights was flashing on and off. any body got a clue

 

[EXMAN]

Can anyone say... Ghosts!

Sounds like you have some major electrical problems. Hope you get them fixed. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Clyde.Sparrow]

I also have a 2001Expedition that just started experiencing the same characteristic that you are describing. I had the issue where the windshield wipers would only turn on of off if the head lights were on. or all of the sudden the windows stopped going up and down or the radio would go off and on or blink off and on and after the rain was over everything started working again. Then one morning I started the engine and went to put it in reverse and I was locked out and could not get it out of park.

I called a tow truck and sent the Expedition back to the Ford dealer, and told them there is an electrical issue fix it. I got a call a couple of days ago and the Ford repair shop told I have a leaking windshield and some water got in the fuse box and fried it.

The funny thing is that I did not smell any wires burning or the carpets were not wet if it was leaking or anything like that. And everything stopped after I got home one evening from work. However, when I was driving home there was no rain that night or the next morning.

At this time I am still waiting for Ford to tell me that my car is fixed.

 

[acemotorcar]

good news I resolved the problem today. I suspected the GEM module which is located on e rear of the fuse box..Upon removal of Gem and openning the module It looked clean..no evidence of water. Uon inspection of the fuse box I noticed some contamination on connector pins on one of the 2 coections points for main harnesses( rear of fuse box). Although there supposably is a way to split open fuse box and repair internal contacts I had no luck in openning it up and I am very mechanical. I relplaced box with a new one which cost me $109. and reusedd old GEM whih csts about $170. I discovered that the harness running from the outside of the cowl had dislodged itself and the sealing boot waws not sealing the hole that the harness runs through thus allowing water to enter through the cowl and leak on to the fuse box. Evidence of a rusty parking brake assembly is your first clue. Some other owners will get the same problem from a leaky windshield on the left side causing water to leak straight down onto the box and GEM. The whole job should take you about 1 hour to fix. The GEM controls eadio running board lights spot lampsrear wiper and many more electrical items. The damaged pins on my fuse box were the imput voltage pins that fed the GEM Module. Pull your cars out of Ford and repair it yourself if you are out of warrantee cause tey will get you for about 3 hours and probably sell you a GEM and fuse box at list and will probably get you for $700. Good luck

 

[julesinmn]

New windshield fixed my 2000 Exp rain/electrical problems

I too noticed that my electrical problems (first just the radio resetting, then worse, eventually leading to drained batteries) always accompanied hard rains or melting snow.

A little internet research found lots of posts on other forums blaming a windshield leak allowing moisture in the General Electrical Module GEM or the Central Junction Box CJB or both. I was unthrilled by the prospect of getting those replaced, so after some dry weather, I got a new windshield installed.

I have never had a problem since, and a $200 windshield was a lot cheaper than replacing those other units AND getting a new windshield to keep them dry. I'd recommend, if you notice this rain/electrical pattern, get a new windshield right away before the damage to the GEM and CJB is beyond what a little drying out will take care of.

 

[xbid]

possible on an 05?

Having some electrical nonsense like your describing on my wife's 05. They have moved the fuse panel from the driver side to the passenger side but I wonder if it's still getting water in there because this happened during rain / puddle driving.

 

[Katfish1989]

Headlights (DRL) staying on, radio, GEM

I experience this problem also(1997). My headlights were staying on along with the radio. I suspected the Ignition switch but these problems still occered with switch removed?? that was crazy. So then I finally found this thread and some others on the truck forum pointing to the GEM. I took the GEM and fiuse box out, did not notice any moisture, water or corrosion in or on the GEM, Nothing on the fuse box either until I opened it up and found some water between two of the 5 plates. As acemotorcar said, this thing is very difficult to open, I think it was designed to not be serviceable. I had to use a dremmel tool with cutting wheel and cut the plastic arround the two bolts careful to not cut the electrical stampings inside. I dried it off and reassembled it all with the same GEM and it worked. I calked around the driver side window a bit, not sure if the leak is stopped. I never noticed any water dripping on the floor or anything.
I do not reccomend taking the fuse box apart, I just gave it a try because it likely would have been days to get a new one, plus the dealership was already closed that day.
I hope someone may find this useful. These forums are much help, the owners and haynes manuals are no help for this type of complex problem.

 

[frshirley]

I have a 2003 and the cluster, interior lights, radio, windows, and cruise control all stopped working. Could this be the GEM?

 

[alexhozee]

good thing to check with strange electrical problems is the battery, below, for instance 10.5V some systems can stop functioning.
The ground of your system must be good also.