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Old May 20, 2009 | 07:09 AM
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Rain and dome light

Whenever the Bronco is out in a heavy rain, the dome light, light at bottom of door skin and exterior cargo, back-up light comes on. Will go back out after a good drying in the sun. Sounds like moisture and a short somewhere. Where do you suggest I begin tracking this problem down? Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. Trying to avoid taking it into a shop. Thanks !!
 
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Old May 20, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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Try to find were the leak is. Usually the later trucks have this problem because of a windshield leak that runs down the firewall and gets the fuse box and GEM module wet. These are located usually at your feet under the dash.
 
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Old May 21, 2009 | 02:13 AM
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Franklin 2:

Thanks for the quick reply. Disconnected the negative terminal on battery and Bronco has been sitting in my garage for a couple of days drying out. Re-connected terminal and interior lights still come on. Does it just need more drying time or do you think the GEM module will need replaced. Thanks again.
 
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Old May 21, 2009 | 09:01 AM
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I would find the GEM and see if it looks like it has damage. I am not quite sure if your model has one. Some years did, some didn't.
 
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Old May 21, 2009 | 12:40 PM
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Franklin 2:

Definitely feel that I have a leak around the windshield, so having a guy come out to the house on Monday to re-seal. Strictly a mobile service. Recommended by one of the Ford dealers in town that I am comfortable with. They don't get into that type of thing. Going to see what I can find out regarding the GEM module. Have been looking around under the dash, but not quite sure what it looks like. Could you give me a rough description of what I should be looking for. Thanks again
 
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Old May 21, 2009 | 06:59 PM
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A black box with lots of wires coming out. I don't have very good diagrams for your model year.
 
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Old May 23, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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Franklin2:

Lights are no longer on and all back to normal. Bronco has been sitting in garage since Tuesday. Took longer to dry out than I originally thought. Had time to analyze and am thinking that I do not have a windshield leak, but rather water got on the contacts on the door on/off buttons. Reason I am know thinking this is all other electric functions worked fine during this period with the exception of the lights that are controlled by the door buttons. The exact lights that were on constantly are the same ones that turn on when the door is opened after the drying period. Does that make sense? If so, how can I prevent moisture from getting into button switch on each door? Appreciate all the help and direction as I am working my way through this problem. Thanks !!
 
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Old May 24, 2009 | 12:13 PM
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You might want to pull the door panel and see what the factory tried to do to keep the switches dry. I have seen a tar like paper on some vehicles, and heavy plastic with caulk on others.

I thought your model had the old pin switches in the door jamb, but maybe it has the switches in the latch like the later models? Anyway the later models have problems like this all the time with the latch type switches, and people spray wd40 in the latch and the problem goes away. Wd40 does displace moisture and gives a thin layer of protection on the parts. It's used all the time on distributor caps.
 
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Old May 25, 2009 | 04:43 AM
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Franklin 2:

The door pins (on/off dome lights,exterior cargo light) are on the door jam as you mentioned. Can I simply spray them with WD-40 or do I need to remove the locking nut that secures them to the door jam and spray behind. Thank you for all your help. It has saved me a lot of money.
 
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Old May 25, 2009 | 11:00 AM
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You MAY have to replace one or more of the switches..... you could TRY the WD40 first, but my gut feeling is a pin switch is shorting out when it gets wet. You also need to find out why it is and repair that problem too.
 
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Old May 26, 2009 | 03:11 AM
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BPof MD: Thanks for the reply. Have sprayed the door jam pins with WD-40 and see what happens. Now that we have isolated the problem, we can go on from there. Thanks to both You and Franklin 2 for all the guidance and advice. It is appreciated.
 
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Old May 26, 2009 | 10:37 AM
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As you are kinda new here.... if you look to the upper right of each post, there are two red thingies....when someone does something to help you it is customary to click the one on the LEFT and get that someone an attaboy!! Glad we could help...good luck.
 
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Old May 26, 2009 | 06:45 PM
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BPofMD: Thanks for the tip. Had not payed any attention to the two little red things in the upper right. Both You and Franklin 2 deserve "attaboys". Thanks again.
 
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