2003 F-350 Power Stroke
I posted this problem about a month ago, and received some good insight and advice. But I still cannot figure out what the problem is.
Let me restate the issue- Intermittently and simultaneously the radio, power windows, and map lights do not work.
There is no connection with weather or truck washing, I have replaced the delayed accessory relay (all three go to this relay), disconnected the radio (to see if this effected anything), and checked all fuses. Sometimes slapping the dash will make everything work again ( but this is hit or miss), and if I disconnect/ reconnect the batteries everything will work for a little while. Typically when I first start the truck in the morning everything works, then later say at lunch or to go home things stop working, and like I said before it does not matter hot, cold, wet or dry.
Any advice would be helpful and much appreciated
and thanks for alerting me to the unreadable post earlier
Thank you, Ryno

 

there is a GEM or whatever they call module that controls all of those options , its in the back of the fuse box. did you try to remove fuse box and look in the back of it, maybe you have corrosion there. and good way would be since you loosing power if you have digital multi meter DMM have it in the truck and check 12V on the radio connector when it happens. or at the window switch. this would tell you if you loosing 12v. than if you doo you have to trace te wires. if you trae it back to that ACC relay than check if the relay looses 12v that actuates it, if it does you have to follow where this relay gets its power.
but if i were you i would go after GEM module....or just looked on 2002 and up they call it VSM module.... lots of post on those having problems, not related to beeing wet...
good luck...

 

I tried to check earlier,got nothing. My rig is an 02. I know that when I shut it down the radio and windows will work for about 10 min. and then shut off (timer) maybe look there
or your door switch. Some place to start?

 

Ryno- Sounds like a bad wiring connection or a partial break in a wire.Gonna be tough to find. I had a similar problem in my wifes old blazer. After jiggling on the wiring I finally found where one of the molex plugs had a bad(loose) connection, it would be very intermittant just like what you described. After finding it I wedged a piece of cardboard in next to the plug to tighten it up, but it took me about 2 months to find it and I finally got lucky. Good Luck

 

I guess when I was typing (slow) Pete beat me to it.

 

If you hit the dash and it "fixes" it from time to time. It's probably VSM related. The VSM is located behind the radio towards the rear of the dash.

 

Thank you all for your help, I have heard that the GEM could be the problem. Today while everything was working I disconnected the radio to start trying to isolate the problem, so far everything else has kept working. I will keep posting so others with the same problem might be able to find their electrical gremlin quicker.
All of your input is greatly appreciated, Ryno

 

Quick Question, can some one tell me where the GEM or VSM is located on my truck? What is the process to remove it? Is it behind the fuse box, or up in the back of the dash? How much does a new one cost, and is it a dealer part or would NAPA carry it? 2003 F-350
Thank you again for input,
Ryno

 

I think I have found or at least isolated the problem, as I said earlier I pulled the radio while everything was working. Well so far all the other accessories have been working fine. So I decided to take it a step further, I had a factory radio deck from a '99' so I plugged it in and stuck it in the dash, so far so good, has anyone else had this experience or am I just dealing with more factory junk?
Thanks, Ryno