Alright, this morning I got an email from my wife. She claims that this morning when she fired up her 2000 Expy, she had some type of electrical irregularity.
She claims that when she dropped it in drive or reverse, the radio would quit. Also, when she got to work, she said that when she shut the vehicle off, the blower for the heater and AC kept running. Anybody seen or heard of such a problem? I haven't looked at it, but I'll take a look this evening. Sounds a little fishy to me. Personally it sounds like nothing major. But I guess I'll find out....
Thanks,
JEV

 

Little update. My wife called me a little bit ago and said that the battery was dead on it now. Well, that to me explains the little quirks she was having. But, I just replaced the battery last year. So, my next guess is the alternator. I'll have to check that out this evening....
JEV

 

I did a little researching........

Sounds like a common problem. We've just had a pretty good rain and I'm guessing a leaking windshield and a wet GEMs module. I'll have to pull it out tonight and check it out.....
JEV

 

Did it just recently rain where your Expedition is or was it just washed? If so this is a common issue amongst Expedition owners. I already experienced it on my 1998. Its related to the GEM module getting wet and causing many abnormal electrical issues. Mine started with the Heater controls operating after the car was turned off and key removed and expanded to my Airbag sensors and I had other small electrical issues along the way. The only cure was to have your windshield resealed or replaced. I had mine replaced due to many small nicks and this issue resolved itself just days after the windshield was replaced. I didnt really believe this when I first heard about it but I researched thie forum and found this to be a common issue. Our local Ford dealer is also aware of this common issue and cures it by installing and programming a new GEM module and repairing the seal of the windshield (ie. $800+). Hope this info. helps.....

 

JEV, you posted while I was replying to your post. Personally I wouldnt pull the GEM... first off its not an easy task. I would get the windshield issue resolved and your issue may resolve and mine did

 

Well, I pulled the fuse block with the Gem last night. Sure enough, there was moisture in the fuse block. I didn't actually open up the fuse block, but other then the moisture I found, the contacts all looked really good. I pulled the Gem off, and blew clean dry air into the fuse block till it was dry. Reinstalled everything, and all seems well again. Hopefully I caught it in time. Next step will be to make an appointment to have the windshield resealed.
Thanks,
JEV

 

Had the very same problem. Had the windsheid pulled and resealed. The problems went away. Don't go to ford dealer with this problem. I did first time and all they did was replaced fuse box and tried to reseal window$$$$$$$ later I still had the problems.

 

OK.... where exactly is the GEM spot..... laugh... no really where is it?


99 EB Expy 4x4 LLS 5.4

 

The GEM is located on top of the fuse block panel. You can't really see it until you pull the fuse block out from under the dash. It's a bit of a bear to get it out. The first time was a bugger, but it goes easier once you've had it out and get an idea of how it goes back together....

 

Would this electrical problem make the windshield wipers go on by themselves when the switch is off??

 

Perhaps not. My 99 had that problem from brand new. Issues with the intermittent wiper switch located on the steering column stalk. Seemed to be a common problem and replaced under warranty. Does the wiper come on suddenly, wipe once as if it was set to the longest time interval, and stop or are there other symptoms?

 

That is exactly what is does swipes once or twice and then goes off. (of course without me touching the wiper switch) I wanted to make sure it wasn't some type of electrical problem that I should really be worried about. The 99 is not under warranty anymore, bought it used 3 years ago and love it. Is it something that I should get fixed??

 

The multifunction switch (turn signal and wiper switch) has to be replaced with a later version.

 

Thanks I will ask my mechanic.