I am trying to remove the fuse panel to check for moisture or corrosion on the GEM unit on my 97 Expidition. I have removed all but one wire harness from the panel. I removed the bolt that attached the harness to the panel but it will not release from the panel the other came right off after I loosened the holding bolt. Any ideas?

 

Did you completely remove the bolt or just loosen it? The bolt is supposed to lift the connector off as you're loosening it. If the bolt came out without the connector, then it could be because the connector is frozen in place. In that case, you're just going to have to put some more muscle into it.

 

The bolt came out completely! I ended up breaking the outer cover for the connector and had to pry the connector out with a small screwdriver. The GEM unit looked ok (no corrosion) but the fuse panel shows signs of water on the lower spades for the wire connectors. I cleaned off the spades and dried out the fuse panel and reconnected everything back the way it was. The engine will crank over but it won't fire up! Any suggestions?

 

Either you don't have something connected, connected properly, or one or more of those fuse box spade connectors is not making contact.

 

Thank you Alloro! I rechecked the spade connectors on the back of the fuse panel. One was not seated 100%, retightened the bolt and tried to start the truck again, fired right up. All the electrical gremlins are now gone! While I had the fuse panel out of the truck I took the advise of other members with the same electrical problems and drilled some small drainage holes in the bottom of the fuse panel. I still need to reseal the windshield but that will have to wait for another day. The wife wants her truck back and I have taken enough time off of work to fix her Expidition! I will seal the windshield this weekend. Thanks again!

 

Is this a hard job? I have crazy dash lights