01-26-2015, 06:42 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Issue: Electrical issues possibly being caused by leaky windshield.
Potential Solutions:
Read the full discussion below to find out what may work for you:
Potential Solutions:
- Re-sealing your windshield
- Replacing your GEM Module
- Replacing your Fuse Box
- Re-sealing your wiring harness near your door panel
Read the full discussion below to find out what may work for you:
The leaky windshield/GEM module problem, with a twist
03-05-2014, 12:46 PM
#11
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motoman1, The fuse block on mine got corroded because of the windshield leak. I had the same experience as you. I had that happen while I was on the highway. I was lucky to move over and come to a stop in the breakdown lane and with the heater on full I was able to get everything to turn back on after a few seconds, but it literally scared the crap out of me. I just find it funny how this is a known issue, but is not considered a manufacture defect even though though it is technically a manufacture defect.
03-05-2014, 12:49 PM
#12
I had the same issues on my 02... Damn thing would try to start with no keys in it...
GEM module and Fuse box, Got both from the junkyard... Good to go
Oh and new windshield
GEM module and Fuse box, Got both from the junkyard... Good to go
Oh and new windshield
03-06-2014, 02:03 AM
#14
Its rough to get them physically in and out. (Tight fit) ... But its not bad just have to get rough with it. It wasn't bad at all. Ford wanted a CRAZY amount to diagnose and fix it.I fixed mine for less than 100 bucks.
Knowing what i know how i could have fixed it cheaper. Just go to the junkyard and buy a fuse box. They will more than likely leave the GEM module on it. If you ask for both, they will sell you both for much bigger price lol..
I bought my GEM module new, because the junkyard wanted more for a used one than i found a new one for on ebay. So i called the junkyard and asked for a fuse box, When i picked it up it had the gem module still attached to it. They usually just cut them out and never seperate them. So i had a spare used one. lol
Knowing what i know how i could have fixed it cheaper. Just go to the junkyard and buy a fuse box. They will more than likely leave the GEM module on it. If you ask for both, they will sell you both for much bigger price lol..
I bought my GEM module new, because the junkyard wanted more for a used one than i found a new one for on ebay. So i called the junkyard and asked for a fuse box, When i picked it up it had the gem module still attached to it. They usually just cut them out and never seperate them. So i had a spare used one. lol
01-02-2016, 06:27 PM
#15
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Don't waste money on GEM module
I had all these symptoms listed above, and when I took it to Ford they told me the same line about some of these trucks having windshield leaks. Also told me that I probably had a bad GEM module. This was bull**** and a way for them rape you for more $$$. In my case and I think most cases... yes water is getting into the electrical system. Not necessarily meaning you have a bad GEM module. Yes the GEM module controls all the things previously listed. However, there are two large electrical connectors that sit below the GEM module with approx 60+ electrical connections total. 30+ per side. This is where water was getting in to mine. Not much at all. Maybe a few drops. Weird. But after completely removing the fuse box with then GEM attached to the back, once I got it out and flipped it over I could see moisture/water droplets in the electrical tab connectors area. Once I dried this out and reinstalled everything worked fine for about 8 months. Keep in mind this was my weekend warrior truck and I was missing all the rain, parked under cover. Then I used it for quick out of town trip in hammering rain. When I got back and pulled int the driveway I shut her off at which time I noticed door or seat belt chime continuing to go off, and the blower for the heater was still blowing. I shut the heater to off and locked up the truck. Left it out overnight still raining. When I woke up the next morning my headlights were on. Once again, I removed the fuse box assembly along with the GEM module. Same thing again. Water droplets around the electrical tabs. So I decided to have the windshield resealed. Actually went ahead and got a whole new windshield for approx $280. Installer quickly pointed out that the windshield was loose on top on drivers side. He could push it out without any tools. Actually the whole top portion of the windshield was barely sealed. This was from factory as I am the original owner of the truck. So I have dried out the fuse box and have a new sealed windshield. I haven't been in any rain yet, but everything working fine.
Last edited by 4johns; 01-02-2016 at 06:29 PM.
07-31-2017, 05:14 PM
#16
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More info please
Seal with what? And is this the wrapped bundle of wires that you see between the door and the door frame of the driver's side door? Thanks
03-10-2019, 11:38 PM
#17
Im having battery drain with my 03 now. Showing a 2 amp draw until i pull the the 5a #15 fuse then drops to about 20 mA.
im not having weird random symptoms.....just battery drain. I had the gem and fuse panel out of it last year with the same symptom. Didnt see any evidence of water damage or leaky windshield then. Put it back in and havent had an issue until now. Weird thing is, i Still have no evidence of water damage anywhere. Im gonna try to pull it back out when i get a chance.
For the time being, im pulling the fuse out when i park the truck.
will a gem/fuse panel from any 97-03 truck work or are they year/vin number specific?
TIA
im not having weird random symptoms.....just battery drain. I had the gem and fuse panel out of it last year with the same symptom. Didnt see any evidence of water damage or leaky windshield then. Put it back in and havent had an issue until now. Weird thing is, i Still have no evidence of water damage anywhere. Im gonna try to pull it back out when i get a chance.
For the time being, im pulling the fuse out when i park the truck.
will a gem/fuse panel from any 97-03 truck work or are they year/vin number specific?
TIA
01-27-2023, 06:17 PM
#20
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Last year, I started having trouble with my lights turning on randomly, then the radio was acting weird, etc. After doing the research, it sure sounded like I had a problem with my GEM module. After I replaced it, all of my problems went away and I thought 'problem solved'.
Well, last week the issues started up again. Lights randomly coming on, etc. I decided that since the last time I didn't get my windshield re-sealed that I likely had the same issue and would go ahead and get the windshield re-sealed this time before I put in another GEM module.
The problem is, the auto glass guy said my windshield was perfectly sealed and there was no reason to replace it. My question is, what else could possibly be causing this problem? Do I maybe have a bad computer? Am I getting a leak from somewhere else? Do I have a bad wire somewhere?
This thing is really confusing the heck out of me, and help would be appreciated. It's a 2000 F150 4x4.
Well, last week the issues started up again. Lights randomly coming on, etc. I decided that since the last time I didn't get my windshield re-sealed that I likely had the same issue and would go ahead and get the windshield re-sealed this time before I put in another GEM module.
The problem is, the auto glass guy said my windshield was perfectly sealed and there was no reason to replace it. My question is, what else could possibly be causing this problem? Do I maybe have a bad computer? Am I getting a leak from somewhere else? Do I have a bad wire somewhere?
This thing is really confusing the heck out of me, and help would be appreciated. It's a 2000 F150 4x4.
windshield guy says no need to replace orig windshield.
water appears left side wall under dash. eventually dries out and then things are fine... go figure
I know it is a common problem but have never seen a final solution in forums.
Last edited by mike190; 01-27-2023 at 06:28 PM.
