Stuck again in the mighty 7.3, this time in Cheyenne since last Thursday. Long story, much work done at Patriot Diesel here but cant be driven without the GEM module replaced.
They've been looking all week and nothing until today when they found a used one four days out for $1200 in Missouri? Is this for real so I canceled that plan and we found one at a junk yard, same exact truck, in Cheyenne, for $75 but they say the "numbers" aren't matching and don't want to damage the truck further. But will discuss with somebody tomorrow. Meanwhile we need to return home to Texas asap. I don't know WTF to do really and sitting in an expensive RV park here with no vehicle!!! Feel like giving up on my Old Betsy after 300k and 24 yrs together all over the continent.
So, can anyone on here advise me on all this because I am about to lose it!!!! My mechanic back in TX said it still has nearly factory compression but they install only certified Motorcraft so he
wouldnt be able to help on this because Ford no longer produces this part!

 

Wouldn't a 2002 require a VSM and not a GEM?

Also, don't quote me on this, but the truck may run with the non-numbers matching module, but some customer features like power door locks may not function properly.

If it were me and in your situation, I would give the quick access one a shot. I don't think "module experts" has any, but you could check them out to be sure.

I was stuck in Cheyenne a couple years ago due to a blizzard that closed I-80 West in late May. Could be worse, but it isn't home, that is for sure.

 

I have been through Cheyenne two or three times, back in the '70s.

I don't remember it being much more than about 2 square miles, and few restaurants for fast food?

I would compare it to my home here in Oologah,
a Sonic, a donut shop, a pecan shop, one grocery store, one convenience store and a Ph66 gas station.
Two dentists, one APRN for primary care.

 

Sir, ‘02s & ‘03s don’t have a GEM module but a VSM (vehicle security module). I have an ‘02 CC Lariat and have pulled fuse #10, I think, and the truck runs fine. However the radio, door locks & key fob all do not function as normal.
Just my personal experience.
You can look into this forums Tech Support library and find this info/experiences from other owners.

 

Thanks for the reply. I hope to see more. I am not privy to the specifics of the electronic problems but Ive had alot of them and all of a sudden during this trip.
Previously we broke down in Ogallala where we waited a week for Poppi's Diesel to replace the power module and the fuel transfer pump at great cost. Still no 4x4.
We are again spending thousands at Patriot Diesel in Cheyenne but they are unable to complete the job without the proper GEM module. So we remain stuck and soon insolvent as well. I pray to Almighty God and my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for a solution to this issue. Sadly, I think my RV traveling days are over once I finally make it home.

 

If you have a 2002 model year, and if Patriot Diesel in Cheyenne states that you need a "GEM", then you may have a problem on your hands that stems far beyond your truck. The 2002 model year does not use a GEM, and was never manufactured with a GEM.

If the shop is using the wrong terminology for the part being sought, then how confident can you be that the such a part is even needed, if the truck was never built with it?

If you are "not privy to the specifics of the electronic problems" of YOUR vehicle, then how can you prevent from becoming "insolvent" by "spending thousands" with shops "who are unable to complete the job" without installing a part that never existed on your truck? This is a certain recipe for being ripped off royally.

This isn't said to come down on you. Rather it is said to warn you. Your spidey sense is working. You stopped the shop from ordering a part for $1,200 from several states away, when you found the same part for $75 in the same town that you are stuck in. Regardless of whether or not that part is even needed, something told you not to take the shop's word for what they could only find in Missouri.

Your path out of Misery is to BECOME PRIVY to the specifics of your truck. It is your truck, and your money, and no one else on this planet deserves to be more privy than you.... so get real privy, real quick.

In your shoes, the first thing I would do is disconnect both batteries, remove the Edge Evolution Tuner to restore the OEM calibration of your PCM, and then check the connection integrity of all power and ground circuits.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes are often interpreted as "causes", when in fact, they only point to how the PCM is effected by causes. This is a subtle cognitive distinction, but it is critically important when thinking about tossing $1,200 parts at a problem just because the trouble code identified a module. That doesn't mean that the module is messed up. It just mean that the PCM's reception of a response from that module was a value not expected. That boils down to a symptom... as the root cause for that could unexpected data response could be something else entirely.

Yes, we always pull codes. But no, we don't always pull modules identified by those codes.

I'll give you a real life example from this past week:

I was having all kinds of electrical related troubles... starting with difficult starting... then progressing to impossible acceleration. The engine wouldn't die... it would just drop to idle. This was a real problem when going over mountain passes with narrow bridges that have no shoulder or emergency lane. Forging uphill, under load, across the bridge, and suddenly the engine drops to idle. Mash the accelerator pedal, with impatient semi trucks rowing gears filling the rear view mirror... while being able to do nothing to get out of their way. Not fun.

Pulled codes... as expected P0221 TP (B) Range / Perf. In English, that is the Throttle Position B side circuit, which suggests a fault with the Accelerator Pedal Position switch and/or sensor. At that point, many mechanics would just order a new accelerator pedal assembly. But is this code the cause, or merely a symptom of something else gone wrong?

Also pulled P1670... Electric Feedback Signal Not Detected from the Injector Driver Module (IDM). So does this mean the IDM module went bad? Is this a cause? Or just another symptom.

Plenty of folks see the modules identified by trouble codes, and simply assume that replacing the module will fix the problem. Plenty of forums and threads on the 7.3L describe replacing the IDM and the APP assembly... which seems to corroborate the failure prone nature of these devices. But are these devices actually failing? Or are they being replace simply because the Diagnostic Trouble Codes identified these modules when the codes were pulled?

I don't replace stuff. I want every dollar's worth of value that I already paid for when I bought the truck. So I kept looking at the truck itself, not just the codes.

And I found the CAUSE of the problem. I'll do a write up on the cause later, as it is beyond the scope of your interest in resolving your problem. But I can tell you this, it was a wiring issue, plain and simple. I fixed the wiring issue, and all the electrical problems I was having were instantly gone, without changing ANY modules.

Get busy getting privy.

 

If it’s SOTF there’s a separate 4x4 module on the passenger side of the truck behind the glove box that is part of the 4x4 system. There’s also relays and a transfer case motor. There is no GEM on these trucks as stated before. If you don’t need 4x4 right now I’d grab the truck and find a different shop that knows the difference between a GEM and a VSM.

 

Have you tried pulling the VSM fuse like AubieTN suggested? This is a free test. If this could get you home that would be wonderful.

 

Yes thanks guys for replying. We just gave up yesterday and they disconnected the brand new front axle they installed to make the truck 2 wheel drive to tow on home.
We will continue this quest at home in Texas. Meanwhile upon returning to the campground I have 2 guys come over wanting to buy the truck. Ive frankly kind of had it with Betsy so I spoke to them a few minutes. These trucks have so much value apparently even when disabled!

 

I wonder if the 2 guys are affiliated with the repair shop. Disable a truck then buy it due to the owner being far from home and frustrated.
This shop has thrown some red flags.

 

They installed a brand new front axle?

 

I am sorry you have been having trouble while on the road. Definitely impacts the enjoyment of a trip. Get the girl home and do some reading. Those shops sound like ones that shouldn’t be working on your truck.

a whole front axle? That sounds a lot like someone trying to separate you from your hard earned $$$$.

as mentioned, you will have an opportunity to decide your future. Learn about these trucks and how to work on them, find a trust worthy shop, or consider a new ride. Good luck either way

 

You can just remove the electronic 4x4 actuator on the t-case and turn the shaft to 2wd by hand with an 11/16 wrench.

If 4x4 is the issue, sounds like your module up under the dash above the glovebox may be dead.
My 02 is this way, I ended up running manual linkage setup on the t-case and gave up on electronics

 

100% everything Y2K said i agree with. I don't even know everything and feel like i have a pretty good understanding of these trucks, and reading this i just found out 02-03 7.3's don't have a GEM. I have an 02 and just assumed. I am glad i read this so i at least am informed now. Very good learning lesson here to make sure you are always going onto the forums and reading stuff. You never know what you might learn from somebody else's misfortune.

But I have read a lot of bad things about that specific shop you went to on the internet over the years. So now that you are back home, get it somewhere reputable, or, if you can afford the downtime, get a scanner, and start trouble shooting and posting about it in a forum here. There are a lot of people on this forum that have probably gone through your exact issue, or enough issues on these trucks that you will get some useful guidance on the process of what to do. Just be patient with them as these people are doing this for free on their time. This is why i have a spare vehicle. I have a 25 year old truck that i want to keep forever, and i am committed to it. I am also cheap, and don't want to take my truck to anybody ever. So having a spare vehicle to drive while you figure out and then fix something yourself is awesome.

 

Wow, thanks for the replies. Back home in Texas now and going asap over to Bubbas Diesel in Sante Fe. Need the 4x4 for tree work now. Yes I got ripped off and again at previous breakdown in Ogallala to Poppees Diesel. Charged for a new junction box and fuel transfer pump 2400 but you are broke down you don't have any choice. Both of these places mainly work on semi trucks and acted like they were doing me a favor.
Possibly they were. Poppees did get the truck moving again with the electronics. They couldn't even speculate as to the cause. Patriot said the front axle shattered and it sure sounded like it. they also "fixed" the parking brake at great cost which still doesnt work. Travelers are taken advantage of all the time now, an indication of the direction our society has taken I guess. Integrity in general is extremely hard to find anymore.