GEM problems
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
GEM problems
My Wife's 98 Expedition has been having problems lately, rear whipper/front whippers/power locks/ power windows working when they feel like it. The blower motor would also stay on. The other night there was clicking from under the dash board from what sounded like to the right of the fuse box. The next morning awd 4wd low washer and another light in that cluster kept just going on and off randomly. I read up on the boards today and it seems like this behavior would point towards a water damaged GEM. I just spent the last hour and a half pulling the GEM and it looks fine to me. No corrosion, contacts all clean. I opened the case containing what I believe to be the GEM and it was clean as a whistle as well. I did go through the fuses and found 2 blown ones but I was receiving the above symptoms before they just stopped working today. So my question is can the GEM be damaged and show no signs? Or is my problem elsewhere?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I know I have a volt meter, not sure if it's digital or not. I used it for when I was trouble shooting some switches on a bike I was building. I'm not an expert when it comes to electrical.... Definitely my weak point. I will assume that what you said wasn't rude because it seemed it.
Buzzard: I will check out the terminal cables and follow them to the firewall and see if I notice and problems.
Buzzard: I will check out the terminal cables and follow them to the firewall and see if I notice and problems.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
The "Voltage Drop" method of troubleshooting should be helpful for you. As you move from point to point along and electrical conductor there should NOT be a voltage drop unless you encounter a load(device using electricity such as a lamp or motor or electronic module). If there is a voltage drop that's a problem. It's a sign of poor connections caused by corrosion or loose or damaged terminal or connectors. You have to locate them and repair them. Poor grounds have the same effect. They have to be clean and tight too or they can cause a voltage drop. These electronic modules need 5Vdc not 4.7. That's why a digital meter is important. A analog meter can't read with that kind of accuracy.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I had the same prob w my GEM - it looked fine (couldnt see any corrosiion etc) but it was NOT.... I know its a lot of dough to replace it - but your problems seem to be exactly like mine..... They wont solve themselves either. You should re seal your window too, thats where mine was leaking... GOOD LUCK this prob sucks!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Funny thing happened on Saturday...... a 98 Expedition eddie baurer 5.4 followed me home. I saw it while working and couldn't resist it for the price. So now this gives me more time to trouble shoot the XLT as I can take it apart and leave it apart instead of putting it back together for the next morning.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DJ_troz
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
0
Jul 22, 2011 11:36 PM
