I have a 2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer. I can turn off ignition, remove key but I see the Climate Control on center console blink off/on erratically. Also, air begins to blow on its own although ignition is not on. Flickering sounds can be heard within dash area. Problem stops when I start engine and all seems normal- climate control will work fine. Turn engine off and remove key and problem resumes. Only other symptom is that my seat heater now does not function with ignition on or off. Any ideas what to check / replace?

 

Welcome Cousteau! I sound like it could be the GEM module, most electrical gremlins originate here. Try earching this forum for 'GEM' and see what it turns up. Typically, the problems are caused by a leak around the windshield.

 

I would also check your ignition switch. Something could have broken/shorted out in there causing the problem.

 

i'd look at the GEM and windshield as well

 

Thanks for the help. Sounds like the GEM box based on the symptoms. It did happen after we had some sleet/snow. Today, no problem (assuming moisture dried). I need to find the fusebox and take a look for corrosion. Will post results later.

 

I just fixed the same problem in my wifes 99 Eddie Bauer, she thought the car was possesed. It started this summer when she went through car washes. She also said the windshield squeaked when driving on a bumpy road. i said yea, sure and thought it was the plastic on the dash or something. Well I took it into the windshield shop to have the windsheild re-sealed and then they gave me a call... It seems that this vintage expy relies on the windshield for structural support. Around the edges of the windshield is a black ceramic coating that the glue/cement adheres to bonding to the frame and in various places around the windshield it had rubbed off and left evidence of where the windshield had leaked. My options were to try and re-seal it with no guarantee or replace the windshield. I opted to replace it. To my surprise the dash no longer squeaked... I guess my wife was right.... And all my electricals turn off when I remove the key. The leaky windshield gets moisture into the GEMs module and if not corrected starts corrosion on the PCB and possible damage to the fuse box.

Your problem sounds similar to many others, especially if it starts to fail during rain or moisture.

Good luck

paul

 

this to the thread i read about the climate control that blows cold air. i added some tap water to the radiators plastic tank and cant believe thats all it was just to add some water! why is this? can anyone answer????

 

The coolant passages for keeping the engine cool are lower than the heater hoses feeding the heater core. So when the coolant level is low, the heater core is the first part of the system to not have coolant circulating through it. Without the coolant, there is nothing to heat up the air passing through the heater core and you get cold air only. This also serves as a warning to the driver or passenger that something is wrong before the engine overheats and gets damaged.

 

You shouldn't add tap water to the cooling system due to the minerals in it, you're only supposed to use distilled water, but tap water's better than no water.