Electrical gremlins

[brawls43]

Hi guys, I'm new here. I just bought a 2001 Expedition XLT a couple months ago to use for towing, and was going to drive in todays winter storm, but I've run into an electrical issue.

So last night (Mon), I went to move the truck into the garage as the rain was due to turn to ice then snow, and the battery was stone dead. I had just driven it on Sunday, because I had fixed a burned through hose to my DPFE sensor, and driven it O'Reilly's to clear the code. Then ran some errands. Prior to that, it sat for about two weeks, but had run fine when I drove it then. Prior that it had sat for about 3 weeks, no problems other then the DPFE code.

I pulled the battery, and charged it, since it wouldn't jump, and after a couple hours on the charger it started right up. But I noticed the heater fan would stay on even when I shut the key off. It was late, I was perplexed, so I turned the fan to off, and came here to search. Found some stuff about windshield leaks getting water on the fuse box. So I went back out tonight, and the battery was almost dead, and wouldn't turn the engine over. Not a big surprise. But now I could hear a relay clicking in the engine compartment. It sounds like it coming from whatever relay is right underneath the air cleaner.

So can you guys tell me what relay that is, and what fuse controls it? If its a fuse under the dash, then it adds to the leaking windshield thing. I looked, but couldn't see any moisture in that fuse box tonight. Then again its 20 deg out, and frozen by now. Any other recommendations?

 

[Jackmldog]

More than likely it's the windshield leaking... You wouldn't necessarily see moisture on the fuse box because the cpu is piggy backed on it and thats what the water runs off the fire wall onto.

 

[ssbroly]

I had/have the same issue with 2000 EB. When I first got it, during any hardcore rain storms, the blower would kick on when the car was off. I had the windshield pressure tested by 2 different companies, neither one found a leak. BUT, I had rust on my fuse box. It still does it every now and then during a bad rain, but I just reach under the dash and pull the fuse block for the blower motor. The rust hasn't gotten any worse.
There was a couple other people on this site that have had the same issue and none of us have been able to correct it. Honestly, mine has gone away. It hasn't done it in about a year and a half. Until the other day it was raining, it did it for a few seconds. I pulled the fuse block and fumbled with it for a second and it went back off. Put the fuse back in and it stayed off.
One morning I was on my way to work at 3am, and I could hear somebody playing really loud music, they were listening to a local radio station. I shut the garage and the music was coming from my expy. Doors were locked, windows up, radio was on full blast. Keys were in my hand, and the ignition was off. Did it once and never did it again.
I wish I could be of more help to you, but I still haven't found my answer.

 

[fteac70]

Me Too Only Worse But Fixed

Doors unlocking/locking, starter turning, lights intermittent, and others with keys in my hand.....

That was the three days after taking it home from the dealership in 2000. Took them a week to swap out the GEM Module and fix the leak from the windshield. No issues in 10 years except for the starter going out within that year.

I would think it would be cheaper to replace the window gasket before the GEM.

 

[Jackmldog]

Doors unlocking/locking, starter turning, lights intermittent, and others with keys in my hand.....

That was the three days after taking it home from the dealership in 2000. Took them a week to swap out the GEM Module and fix the leak from the windshield. No issues in 10 years except for the starter going out within that year.

I would think it would be cheaper to replace the window gasket before the GEM.

I agree with this guy.. All I did was unplug my battery and take out the fuse box to look at the gem module piggy backed to it. Mine wasn't rusted or anything so I had them replace the window gasket. Hasn't leaked or done anything 'demonic' since. Haha

 

[siredzo]

i have that issue and i replaced the GEM and mins still didnt work but i have rust going down my A-frame, from the winshield. and when i removed all the modling i seen the rust under there. so do you think i have to change the fuse box as well seeing that was not changed? Oh i did smell burning before i lost wipers, running boards,interior lights and windows, on my 97 eddie, and i was getting the same as fteac70 is getting now.

 

[V-Metalworx]

Mine to

Hi Guy's I'm new to your site we are having the
same issue with my wifes 01 EB
it first happened a couple monthes ago
It had been setting all night I can't rember if it had
rained or not
I walked by it a couple times that morning then
I walked by it and the blower motor was running
talk about wierd pulled the fuse in the power dis box then put it back in
and was ok.
till new years eve got a ton of rain got home shut key off with the heater
off and the blower motor came on full blast had to pull the fuse again
drove it yesterday and the same thing evertime I shut it off the blower motor comes on
Our's does have a moon roof I read someware about the drains for them getting blocked so where do I find them?
and if the fuse box is getting wet I'm guessing the wind shield is leaking
and running down the A pillar any sugestions for a fix ?
also what is this GEM and it's located on top the fuse box
I don't have a manual for this we have owned it about 4yrs and never had a problem
guess I'm going to have to get one now!

 

[V-Metalworx]

Maybe Fixed

Ok went out yesterday I still had the fuse out of the box for the blower motor, went to unlock the doors with the key fob and dead as a door nail
opened the door and heard the clicking and such of relays
so I unhooked the battery and put it on the charger for a couple hours
then fired right up put the fuse back in for the heater then I shut it off
guess what yep it come on full blast
pulled it over to the barn and took out the fuse box and GEM
it did have a drop of water in it but all the connections looked good.
no corrosion yet so I took the GEM off the fusee box and took the board out of it put them both under the heater in the shop to dry them out
put some dielectric greese in a syringe and put it in all the connections for the fuse box and GEM
then I brought the Fuse box and GEM in the house to set overnight.
sprayed the GEM board with some moisture resistant spray and reassembled
put it back in the Expy and bingo it works
so I took the sun visor's out pulled the a plier trim and sunroof trim and
the sheet metal was all wet go figure I found the drains to the sun roof
and blew them out with compressed air I also noticed that the hose on the Drivers side was smashed shut it was caught in between the headliner and
wiring harness so I fixed that
pulled the front of the headliner down and didn't notice any moisture around the windshield seal
I think it is just the sunroof
I cleaned the rubber seal around the sun roof and the sheet metal
and put some Vaseline on it It leaked when we got it but right down in the drivers seat put Vaseline on it then and it fixed it.
hopefully this works If not I'm just going to disconnect the stupid sun roof and seal it shut ya I know Re-neck but I don't care if it opens or not

 

[gehlmauer]

I’m experiencing serious electrical issues. Occasionally all of the gauge needles and cluster lights will go crazy for a second or two. The passenger window will then no longer operate from the driver’s side control and “one-press” up and down stops working.

 

[V-Metalworx]

I’m experiencing serious electrical issues. Occasionally all of the gauge needles and cluster lights will go crazy for a second or two. The passenger window will then no longer operate from the driver’s side control and “one-press” up and down stops working.

Yes Ours started to do that the day I went to take it apart
turn on the key and all the gauge needles would dance around a little bit.
It's been back together for a couple of days now and no issues
sounds like you have the same problem it really wasn't to bad to get to,
and now that I have done it once and figured out where all the screws and
clips are that hold the lower part of the dash together.
it wouldn't be bad to take apart again.

 

[Ex0r]

Is the starting system also controlled by the GEM? I am having the same problems as everyone else (With the blower motor coming on, and the automatic climate control center in the dash coming on and off intermittently with the key out of the ignition), but the starter also keeps trying to engage with the car running. (Doesn't do it with the car off or the key out, only when it's in 'run'). Was considering pulling out fusebox and GEM, drying them out nicely, and than sealing them up so water can't get into them.