Water+gem=gremlins!
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Water+gem=gremlins!
Thanks to everyone on this site! I was able to diagnose and solve several problems simply by searching previous posts...I never had to post a question!
While my daughter was driving our 97 Expedition, a severe thunderstorm dumped a huge amount of rain which found its way through the sunroof and soaked her (not so bad) and the dash (very bad!). That night the vehicle came alive on its own...the climate control ran the fan...the radio and air-suspension came on and off...the door locks went berserk...until the battery completely drained. All this while we were sleeping...the vehicle should have been too, as the keys were in the house!
I learned that water migrates through the driver side pillar and directly into the fuse block and Generic Electronic Module, causing mayhem and possibly destruction of the aforementioned items.
My problem was not caused by a windshield leak as some have experienced, but rather an un-seated sunroof combined with completely clogged drain hoses which could not evacuate the water leaking in.
After pulling some trim pieces and loosening the headliner, I was able to attach an air compressor line to the hoses which I had removed at the forward corners of the sunroof. I could not blow through them with lung pressure until after the compressed air blew big plugs of debris out the bottom of the hoses. It looks like insects had been storing food (other insects) for nesting.
The next step was removing the fuse bock and GEM to inspect for water and corrosion. I found plenty of water, but no significant corrosion. I cleaned all the connections with electronic contact cleaner and reassembled.
All anomalies disappeared with the exception of a 5-2 code from the airbag light. That's when it all came back to me and I remembered the airbag light coming on after a rainstorm six years ago when the sunroof was left wide open (yes the battery drained then too). That event cost me $170.00 at the dealer to "fix".
I learned here, that the system needs to go through many (over two hundred) self tests after experiencing the low voltage (5-2 flashing code). It performs one every time the ignition is turned...eventually resetting itself, which it did!
We took the vehicle, with six people and a dog, to Michigan from St.Louis, less than a week after the event. I thought we were going to have to rent a vehicle. You saved our vacation and the budget!
Thanks again,
Kevin
While my daughter was driving our 97 Expedition, a severe thunderstorm dumped a huge amount of rain which found its way through the sunroof and soaked her (not so bad) and the dash (very bad!). That night the vehicle came alive on its own...the climate control ran the fan...the radio and air-suspension came on and off...the door locks went berserk...until the battery completely drained. All this while we were sleeping...the vehicle should have been too, as the keys were in the house!
I learned that water migrates through the driver side pillar and directly into the fuse block and Generic Electronic Module, causing mayhem and possibly destruction of the aforementioned items.
My problem was not caused by a windshield leak as some have experienced, but rather an un-seated sunroof combined with completely clogged drain hoses which could not evacuate the water leaking in.
After pulling some trim pieces and loosening the headliner, I was able to attach an air compressor line to the hoses which I had removed at the forward corners of the sunroof. I could not blow through them with lung pressure until after the compressed air blew big plugs of debris out the bottom of the hoses. It looks like insects had been storing food (other insects) for nesting.
The next step was removing the fuse bock and GEM to inspect for water and corrosion. I found plenty of water, but no significant corrosion. I cleaned all the connections with electronic contact cleaner and reassembled.
All anomalies disappeared with the exception of a 5-2 code from the airbag light. That's when it all came back to me and I remembered the airbag light coming on after a rainstorm six years ago when the sunroof was left wide open (yes the battery drained then too). That event cost me $170.00 at the dealer to "fix".
I learned here, that the system needs to go through many (over two hundred) self tests after experiencing the low voltage (5-2 flashing code). It performs one every time the ignition is turned...eventually resetting itself, which it did!
We took the vehicle, with six people and a dog, to Michigan from St.Louis, less than a week after the event. I thought we were going to have to rent a vehicle. You saved our vacation and the budget!
Thanks again,
Kevin
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 133
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From: MN
I tried taking the fuse box and GEM out of my expy last weekend, but could not get it out as there was not enough room behind with a couple wire harnesses. Anybody have any insight on how to make that easy? My GEM is almost certainly corroded as some of my electrical devices work intermittently.
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Remove the two harness connectors which attach to the back of the fuse block. There is a bolt centered on each plug assembly...as you loosen the fastener the plugs will back out.
Once they are removed you can remove the fuse block and GEM. There are tabs on the fuse block. Study how those are oriented so you can see how to slip it out. It is tight, but it will clear everything.
I searched the archives under "remove the GEM" and found details. If you can't find the info...I'll try to dig it up over the weekend.
Good Luck.
Once they are removed you can remove the fuse block and GEM. There are tabs on the fuse block. Study how those are oriented so you can see how to slip it out. It is tight, but it will clear everything.
I searched the archives under "remove the GEM" and found details. If you can't find the info...I'll try to dig it up over the weekend.
Good Luck.
