Hi,

I recently picked up a 97F150 and it had two electrical symptoms:

Drivers side pwr window only worked in N and P. It quit in drive. I checked the switch and it was sending a 12volt signal to the GEM but the GEM failed to put the window down.

The other problem is minor. When I shift, a few seconds after, the 4x4 hi and low lights cycle on and off once.

I thought the two might be related, so I purchased a Gem on ebay. After replacing the Gem, I still have the exact same issues. I suppose it is possible that I purchased a gem with the same fault. But I doubt it.

After tinkering with the who thing some more I realized that when I shift in any drive gears, the gem is acting like I just turned the key on... hence the 4x4 high and low lights cycling. Somehow I think shifting is causing the Gem to lose power. Does this ring any bells for anyone? Is this normal by some chance. I just assumed it wasn't. Do any of your 4x4 lights cycle when you shift gears?

 

Check the ignition switch, it could wearing to the point that it's cutting out some power ups to certain stages of the GEM. that would be where I'd start....simply start the truck and lightly wiggle the key in a twisting motion, see what happens.

 

Maybe delay relay is acting up affecting the doors & check all 4 fuses 2 in power box and 2 in distribution box, look for corrosion in it then look at DRL module.

 

Can any of you verify that your 4x4 lights do NOT cycle on and off when you shift? Also, can you try something for me? Shift into drive and immediately try to roll down a window. Is there a delay of about 5 seconds before you can operate the window?

 

Fuse box is good from what I can tell. No corrosion on the terminals. On little green spot on the plastic inside the connector but I don't think that is an issue. Ignition switch is fine. Fuses are all good. This problem is really consistent.

When I shift into drive (or other gears):
The interior lights go out (normal I think)
The power windows won't work (normal I think).

After 4 seconds:
Several relays engage, including the acc relay and delay relay
The interior lights come back on
All the windows work except the drivers side
The 4x4 lights come on and then turn off.

Does anyone have a diagram with all the power and ground distributions to the Gem? I am wondering if it doesn't have power to one wire and it can operate fine without it until it looses power when I shift, of something strange like that.

Also, I would still like to know:
Can any of you verify that your 4x4 lights do NOT cycle on and off when you shift? Also, can you try something for me? Shift into drive and immediately try to roll down a window. Is there a delay of about 5 seconds before you can operate the window?