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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 07:58 PM
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electrical nightmare

I have a 99f250 7.3. I was attempting to fix a 3 severed wires from my overdrive switch when I was done and turned the key on wierd things started happening. The windshield wipers came on for 1 swipe the gauges on the instrument cluster arn't working and every time you turn it on the auto door locks go up and down rapidly. The locks continue to do this while driving unless you have your foot on the accelerator then they stop until you take your foot off. My suspision is the GEM module but I don't know if this could cause the gauges not to work. If any one could help I would appreciate any input. thanks
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:11 PM
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I don't know, but this is strange tonight with the new posters and the problems they are having.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:14 PM
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swaybar
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when my overdrive wires chaffed they blew a fuse "can't tell you the fuse #" but when the fuse blew i lost all gauges.
fixed the wires, changed the fuse, all's good.
don't know if this helps you other than checkin to see if you changed your fuse after the wire repair?
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:14 PM
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I concur, Rick. I dont know whats goin on, but welcome to FTE!
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:18 PM
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Welcome to the FTE!!

The door locks going up and down is odd have you checked your fuse for the instrument cluster? Check fuse #16 I think it is.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:23 PM
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Also check fuse #2 I think it is tied into the cluster as well that and the KAM.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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I'm not quite sure how you did this either. Did you disconnect the batteries for any reason before this started happening? If so, double check the connections. I agree with checking the fuses for the instrument cluster, but don't have any clue on the locks acting crazy.

If fixing the OD wires was the last thing you did, then after checking the fuses, I'd unplug those wires to make sure they're not doing anything funny. If you follow the wires from the shift lever onto the column, there's a little plug you can disconnect to rule out your OD issues. Driving with this unplugged will just cause you to lose your OD off function.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:41 PM
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I have checked all fuses under the dash as well as under the hood. I also disconnected the overdrive quick connect and the problems stilled ocurred. I disconnected the batteries touched the + and - together to get rid of stray voltage and had the charging system all tested as well as computer codes, all was good. While doing the original repair I did arc a wire on the steering column and when I was finished my batteries were dead ( maybe a result of the locks going crazy).
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:51 PM
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Arcing a wire should have blown a fuse or possibly relay do you happen to know what wire and what it was feeding?
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 09:00 PM
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It was one of the three overdrive control wires but the overdrive light worked after the arc. Do you know if there is a way to test relays I have a dc meter/continuity tester?
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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Disconnect your batteries for an hour or so. This will allow the system to "die" and "relearn itself" If this doent' do it then I'm wondering if when the wires shorted out if it sent a spike to the GEM
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 09:22 PM
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how did you "fix 3 severed wires from your overdrive switch". i mean as far as connecting them back together??
i no those wires are "very" thin.
is it possible there not connected to the right ones?????
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 09:22 PM
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I already tried disconnecting the batteries for over an hour it did not change anything. Have you ever heard of the GEM affecting the gauges? Is a GEM either bad or good? I priced them out at the dealer for $495 do you know of a better source? Is there a way to test the GEM? Thanks to everyone for their input.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 09:26 PM
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I just wire nutted the overdrive wires together for now, they are three different colors so I know they are right. I am still trying to figure out how to repair them permenantly because when I put the housing back on there is not room for the wire nuts and there is no slack in the wires.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 09:29 PM
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As far as I know the Gem is either good or it is bad I don't know of a way to test it. The best way to fix the wires is to solder them back together and use heat shrink on them.
 
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