I have a 2000 F-250 SD 4x4 Super Crew with a V-10 and I tried to install a remote start/security system with limited success. All the components of the remote start and security features work properly but now some of the components don't work so I have likely fried something that is going to be expensive to fix.....

The remote/security system is a Skytek Galaxy 5000RS-2W and the installation manual is available online if you need to view it.

After the installation was complete and I test drove the truck I found that the windshield wipers and washer don't work as well as all the power windows, interior dome light (from door open or interior lamp switch), ignition key warning chimes, and the electronic 4x4 selector switch. The security system has a dome light supervision feature so when you disarm the system the doors unlock and the parking lights and dome light come on for 30 seconds. The dome light will work when powered from the security system but not from the other triggers on the vehicle. Occasionally when the door is opened (and the security system disarmed) the dome light and ignition key chimes will work a second or two and then go out.....at other times the dome light will cycle off and on and a minute or two. When the truck is running I can hear what sounds like a strong vibration rattle under the left side of the dash.

I have a wiring diagram of the truck and it looks like all the components that don't work tie back to the body control GEM that is located under the left side of the dash but I've never been in this part of the truck before so I haven't a clue what I'm looking for or what to do once I find it.

Does anyone out there have a test procedure I can do to determine if the GEM is bad? Also, if the GEM is bad is there another test procedure I can do to verify that once a new GEM is installed it won't fry too??

Go ahead and giggle and call me stupid for digging into something I don't know anything about.....I was trying to save some money on a security system that is now probably going to cost a lot more than it saved. Another lesson learned the hard way!

 

Did you check the fuses?

 

Yes.....all fuses are good.

 

Check your main fuses under the hood.

 

All fuses under the hood is good.

I measured the amp draw from the battery with all fuses in place, then pulled one fuse at a time and compared the amp draw. The "hot all time" fuse to the GEM (position 15) changed the amp draw by 5 amps so I'm thinking there has to be a problem in the GEM. I took a blown fuse and checked the amperage across the fuse pins in the cab fuse panel to try to narrow the area of where the 5 amps are going but all checked good (no amperage across a blown fuse). Right now I'm thinking the GEM is the problem but I don't know how to verify that if I replace the GEM the same thing won't happen to the new one......

 

Does anybody know if this truck falls into that catagory where some of the trucks were having problems with water leaking on tho the fuse panel and the connections in the back were corroding out, I remember reading something about that a while back.

 

I had a '99 V-8 F-250 SD before this one and it had the issues with the leaking windshield. I bought this truck in feb '09 and have not had a minutes trouble out of it......at least until I installed the remote start/security system.

 

My '02 Gasser had that problem.

 

x2.

I have a 2009 SuperDuty, and found a windshield leak , inisde the driver's side pillar after 2 weeks of ownership. It was comming from the top side of the windshield, through the seal oif the windshield. I bought some Permatex branded flowable silicone made just for windshield leaks. Since then, no leaks. I had many many heavy rain storms since then , still no leaks. Great product.

I am sure someone will remind me about not using any type of silicone product on windshields , but after watching my father replace his windshield gasket 3 times and the windshield itself on a toyota, it still leaked. He is currently using the same stuff as I did, and no more leaks. Go to Permatex.com. Best $6 I spent in AutoZone.

The easy way out seems to be working for me..

Going back to your GEM problem , check for any sign of water markings or rust stains inside the GEM. If no sign of water entry, then maybe your alarm is causing the problem as mentioned above.

Good luck

 

I completely removed the alarm from the equation and I still have problems with a 5 amp draw from the battery when the truck is not running. If I remove the fuse that feeds power into the gem the amp draw goes down to a couple milli-amps which I'm assuming is the clock on the radio.

No evidence of water leakage anywhere under the dash.....no corroded connections.

I don't know where that 5 amps is going but I'm out of ideas.

I'M TOTALLY LOST AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED!

 

5 amps? That's quite a bit.

Pull the GEM and see if you still have that 5 amp draw. If not, well, you know what to do

 

Installed a used GEM from another truck.......all is good!

 

Could someone tell me where the GEM is. Is it the fuse box under the dash or something in the drivers side engine compartment. If it is the engine compartment do you have a photo??

 

The GEM is plugged into the top (front) of the fuse panel. I do not think it is possible to pull it without removing the fuse panel, but maybe. Removal of fuse panel and GEM is a 10 minute job with a 10mm nut driver.