I have a 97 Explorer Sport 4.0 SOHC. Both of my problems seem to have started at the same time. Last week a friend at work called to tell me my dome light was on. I went out to check and they would not turn off unless I started my truck and then they would stay on longer than normal. I ended up taking all the dome lights out and went back to work. I came and searched the forums here and found something about the door switches being dirty so I went out and soaked them and put the dome lights back in. I noticed that if I locked the door with the button on the door the dome light would stay on but if I lock it with the key fob they would go out. This is where it gets wierd. Sometimes the dome light flashes once quick and goes out, other times it goes right out, and still other times it stays on and I have to press the lock button on the fob again to hear the truck beep and the dome light goes out.
Also, twice since this started the fob wouldn't unlock the doors and I had to use the key to unlock. I am half suspecting a battery issue on that one and am replacing that tomorrow. I am suspecting my problems of either being the module in the rear quarter that I cant remember the name right now that controls door locks and alarm system. (no problems with the alarm by the way) Or suspecting door lock relay that I have no idea where it is and help on a location would be great! I am planning a trip to the local pull a part this weekend. I have to leave for work at 4am and a dead battery at that time of day would be horrible. Thanks in advance for any help. I have become addicted to these forums and am always looking here at different problems and ways to improve my ex.

 

For the dome light to stay on 2 relays -battery saver & interior lamp- have to be closed.

Both of these are controlled by the GEM & it looks like the GEM has gone stupid on you.

What I would try is removing interior fuse 25, thats the main battery feed to the GEM.

If you're lucky, that will reset the GEM & these problems will go away.

 

thank you.... What is a GEM? Sorry

 

You gotta love this. The GEM is the "central timer module/generic electronic module.

Makes me glad I have an 87, not a 97.

When you open a door a switch closes & grounds a pin on the GEM. The GEM then grounds the pins for the battery saver relay & the interior lamp relay and turns on the dome light.

 

Thank you, I have pulled the fuse 25 as you said, left it out for 10 seconds and the dome lights didn't work while it was out. I put it back in and the dome lights came on until I closed the door and they went out. Everything seems ok right now. If it comes down to having to change the GEM where would I find it. Thanks again for the fast reply.

 

Glad I could help and hopefully your problem is solved & doesnt come back.

The GEM is behind the center section of the dash above the radio. You'd have to pull the dash panel to get to it.

 

A side note here. I found out that my battery was slowly dying. I had it tested at autozone and just the test killed it to where it wouldn't turn over the engine. I don't know if it had any effects on this problem but I replaced it and zero problems since.