Elecrical gremlin

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Jim Basinger

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The other day, I had several things on my 2000 Expedition stop working all at the same time. Power windows, Auto door locks, Rear air, and Radio all quit at once. Are these all controlled by one relay (or the GEM module)? I can’t find any blown fuses, and I don’t see any relays that would control all of those systems. This one has me stymied. Anybody have a suggestion? Thx!
 

1955moose

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Sounds like your gem is wet. Mine does the same when it rains. I've sealed the crap out of my windshield, but somehow moisture is sneaking in. Mine dries out in a day or so. If you haven't sealed your windshield, do it now. 3 window sealant in the long tube works well. Use it in a caulking gun. Runs anywhere from $16.00 to $22.00.

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Jim Basinger

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Well, Here in “drought-town USA”, it hasn’t rained in months. The problem happened before I last washed it, so I doubt that it’s a moisture problem. Perhaps it’s just a GEM gone bonkers. I’ll try replacing it.

Thanks for steering me in that direction. I’ll post the results. Thx again!
 

1955moose

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Well, Here in “drought-town USA”, it hasn’t rained in months. The problem happened before I last washed it, so I doubt that it’s a moisture problem. Perhaps it’s just a GEM gone bonkers. I’ll try replacing it.

Thanks for steering me in that direction. I’ll post the results. Thx again!
They do go bad. Especially if water got in there . Another of Fords better ideas! I can see the light bulb in their commercials now. Well at least we don't have exploding fuel tanks like the Pinto.

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djewing

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I had an issue with my transmission acting odd. Shifting weird and so forth. Felt more electronic than mechanical.
The solution was to unbolt the GEM harness. Clean the heck out of the contact pins etc with good quality electronics contact cleaner and reassemble. Solved the problem. I believe a lot of issues are due to dirt and grime getting into connectors. Or fuses with corroded or dirty legs etc.
try cleaning before replacing. May solve the issue without costing much at all. Good luck.

Btw-just curious where drought town USA is. I’m in California’s Central Valley and we’re pretty dry too.

*edit* forgot to state- don’t forget to disconnect battery first.
 
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Bedrck47

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You may be correct in that you don't see any relays that would control all of those systems.
However they do have one connection that is common to those systems.

Before you replace the GEM have you checked the ground connections??

Check the connections that are in the passenger side behind the kick panel. Make sure they are clean and tight
 

uscgmac

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All my interior lights and my running board lights and fear defroster stopped working recently. I replaced two relays and now everything works as it should again. I feel your pain with these electrical gremblins.

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