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2002 F250 with 7.3 electrical problem

Dickjr.

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
1,484
Location
Kentucky
My service truck has an electrical problem of some sort. When you turn it off and open the door the radio keeps playing. No other functions work. I checked the door switch it seems ok. I have read there are 2 different modules that can cause this. I was hoping to get a little insight here before I take it to a shop. The other day I noticed it was making a buzzing noise , opened the hood and the windshield washer pump was pulsing. I wouldn't mind taking it to a shop if I knew they wouldn't start changing parts and run a big bill up over a 100$ module. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
 

Delmer

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
8,887
Location
WI
I don't know anything about those modules, but my first guess is a bad ground somewhere.

Two different malfunctions, one caused by another third function operating, that sounds like a ground wire backfeeding to me.

UNLESS you can find better advice specific to that ford module, that's what I'd check first, follow your harness and examine every little black wire that comes out to a ground screw, the chassis to engine ground, and the negative battery cables.
 

JNB

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Messages
823
Location
North Texas
Occupation
Flyin' low and rollin' slow...
I have had a lot of those where the GEM module starts doing weird stuff. Caused by the windshield leaking on to the GEM module.
This was a problem on my oldie but goodie '99. The seal looked fine, but was leaking.
 

DARO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2014
Messages
178
Location
Duluth MN USA
Occupation
Mechanic
And if i remebering rite... the windshild washer and wiper are controled by the gem module? I could be off its been a few years.
 

Dickjr.

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
1,484
Location
Kentucky
I have read about the gem module , from what I can tell its on the back of the fuse block. You can hear a clicking noise under the dash. This truck has served me well with only 165k miles on it. But these things are aggravating to no end.
 

Dickjr.

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
1,484
Location
Kentucky
I went out and took a look at it again. Its been raining here 5 days a week for a month and sure enough there is moisture by the parking brake peddle. I removed the fuse panel cover and it smelled of burnt electrical. Looked on ebay and found a GEM for 145$ with 6 month warranty. I'll roll the dice on this one , the guy I called that does auto electronics for a living said he had no idea and would have to tear into it. Which to me means grab your a$$. These forums continue to be the most helpful.
 

kenh

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2010
Messages
264
Location
bonners ferry,id
Per 2001 Manual, wipers, windows controlled by GEM. Windows also go through Central Junction Box.
can look up various circuits but manual has no pin out of GEM,
 

PJ The Kid

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
230
Location
KC
Occupation
Mechanic
I have had a lot of those where the GEM module starts doing weird stuff. Caused by the windshield leaking on to the GEM module.

I was about to type this same thing, either GEM module got water in it or I have seen a couple ignition switches and tumblers wear just to a certain point that this will happen. Sometimes if you're lucky, you can bull the module apart and clean it up and it will work fine. If you pull it apart and it is nasty and coroded, get you windshield resealed while you try cleaning it up.
 

dieseldog5.9

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2014
Messages
614
Location
New Hampshire
I have a fuse box on my desk from an F550 that the hole in the roof for CB or strobe light leaked down the A-pillar and soaked the panel and module corroding the whole unit, nice thing about these trucks ther were a lot of them out there so used parts are available.

Also be paying attention when looking up wiring schematics, each year was very different even with the same engine combination.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,557
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
Sounds like a bad module ground or radio ground when the dome lamp grounding switch engages it backfeeds to turn the radio on.
 

Edward Porter

Active Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2017
Messages
29
Location
Meeteetse, Wyoming
Had a 99 Expedition . Water leaking on fuse box causing shorts and back feeding electric. Found the leak after fiddling for hours and sealed it with silicone and dum dum. Cleaned the fuse panel and dialectic greased the connections. Finally works after many years hassle All kinds of strange happenings till it was fixed right.
 

murfdog

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
53
Location
montana
I parted out my '02 7.3, Let me know if I can help out with anything. I don't have the ECM, gave that to a guy in need
 

Bls repair

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
1,612
Location
S E Pa
Occupation
Equipment operator,mechanic
If you want to fix it cheap turn off the radio off manually.
 

Dickjr.

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
1,484
Location
Kentucky
I removed the cover and the fuse panel cover. The fuse panel cover had a little water in it. I started the truck turned the heat up , let the windows down about 1" each. So far it seems ok. Got to stop that leak. Its either the windshield or the safety light that I broke off. Thanks for the replies. I wonder what a shop would have charged me for this.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,557
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
My '99 has not developed any cab leaks as yet and YES I am knocking on all wooden surfaces including my head right now. Get it located and fixed before it eats it up worse.
 
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