'97 F150 Scab 4.6 auto 2WD
Check me out on this: factory radio plays & key-in chime sounds with ignition switch off & key removed. This results in dead battery in a few days time. I’ve had it in, previous to the phantom radio/door chime occurrence, to the only pro mechanic that I trust and he pulled down the GEM and it was uncorroded and dry. He said that it looked good to him since he has seen bad ones before.
Question: shouldn’t I throw $20 Ignition switch at it (versus $200+ GEM cost) to cure this 2 yr dead battery PITA?

Thanks for your help.

 

I'd say it's a no-brainer to try the switch first unless you have some better evidence that the GEM is at fault.

 

First of all - Joe thanks for your reply. Do you know if the start circuit goes through the GEM? I haven't replaced the switch yet - so I'm still wondering if it is the real culprit and not the GEM. Its just I see so many posts about bad GEM problems and none about a bad switch. Maybe this problem of no power to starter circuit would isolate it to one or the other.

What do you think?

 

The starter circuit does not go through the GEM.


I'd suspect the I/P fuse box. The switch is easy to test...

 

Turns out there was 2 problems: no power to starter was bad firewall solenoid & spooky radio/key-in chime was a bad GEM. Solenoid would only click and failed during the GEM - I/P fuse block trouble shoot. Replaced GEM with one from '98 and no problems with it this last week.

Thanks for the help.