96 XLT possible gem issues

[retnuh]

Well first off I just want to say I'm a long time reader of this forum but first time poster. Most all the information I was ever looking for on this forum has been easily found and is extremely helpful. So thanks a million for that.

But recently I believe the GEM on my 96 Explorer XLT v6 has finally bit the dust. The issues first started with intermittent windows, 4x4 lights blink 6 times, occasional ABS light would come and intermittent wipers. So up until now I've just kind of let the whole situation ride because nothing was too much of a problem for me. But just recently the windshield wipers and windows have stopped working completely so I'm afraid it's time to actually replace that gem.

I came to that conclusion by going through the ropes of relays and fuses as to be expected. Then I decided to just replace the windshield wiper motor. Partly because it was an easy solution to try and partly because I had some points on the website I order parts from so it was super cheap. But that didn't work and in the back of my head I knew it probably wouldn't.

So my question is this. If I do get a GEM from a salvage yard that would match mine does it need to be programmed? The only reason I ask is because I am reading mixed responses throughout the forum.

Also for the life of me I cannot figure out what a Hall sensor is. I have googled and googled but alas my google-fu has failed me. When I try and look that part up I get various O2 sensors and speed sensors. So I guess my question is there another nomenclature those little things go by or could someone link me one? The reason I'm hunting those down is because some of the posts indicate that the 4x4 6 blinks coupled with the occasional ABS light could be an indication of hall sensors. So I figured since I'm replacing the GEM I might as well try and eliminate that possible failure as well.

Of course if anyone is reading this and has another idea or something I should try in lieu of all this I'm always open for suggestions.


Thanks in advance!

 

[albi1cnobi1]

Well first off I just want to say I'm a long time reader of this forum but first time poster. Most all the information I was ever looking for on this forum has been easily found and is extremely helpful. So thanks a million for that.

But recently I believe the GEM on my 96 Explorer XLT v6 has finally bit the dust. The issues first started with intermittent windows, 4x4 lights blink 6 times, occasional ABS light would come and intermittent wipers. So up until now I've just kind of let the whole situation ride because nothing was too much of a problem for me. But just recently the windshield wipers and windows have stopped working completely so I'm afraid it's time to actually replace that gem.

I came to that conclusion by going through the ropes of relays and fuses as to be expected. Then I decided to just replace the windshield wiper motor. Partly because it was an easy solution to try and partly because I had some points on the website I order parts from so it was super cheap. But that didn't work and in the back of my head I knew it probably wouldn't.

So my question is this. If I do get a GEM from a salvage yard that would match mine does it need to be programmed? The only reason I ask is because I am reading mixed responses throughout the forum.

Also for the life of me I cannot figure out what a Hall sensor is. I have googled and googled but alas my google-fu has failed me. When I try and look that part up I get various O2 sensors and speed sensors. So I guess my question is there another nomenclature those little things go by or could someone link me one? The reason I'm hunting those down is because some of the posts indicate that the 4x4 6 blinks coupled with the occasional ABS light could be an indication of hall sensors. So I figured since I'm replacing the GEM I might as well try and eliminate that possible failure as well.

Of course if anyone is reading this and has another idea or something I should try in lieu of all this I'm always open for suggestions.


Thanks in advance!

For the GEM, you just need the same year and drive train. So if you find a GEM from a 96 with the V6 you're good. No programming involved. The reason you need to match the years is that from year to year Ford changed the pin out on the connectors slightly. And the GEM helps control the 4wd functions as well, and the V8 GEM doesn't have those controls so it won't work on the V6 truck.

A hall effect sensor is just the type of speed sensor used by Ford on the front and rear outputs of the transfer case. A hall effect sensor measures the current produced by spinning magnetic field passing through it. The sensor measures the current produced by the spinning output shafts and converts that to a speed signal that the GEM and ABS module use to determine if there is any difference between the front and rear wheel speeds. That bit is just info, you don't need any of that to find them. They're called front and rear transfer case speed sensors.

 

[retnuh]

Fantastic! That answers pretty much all my questions and being of the curious nature it's always nice to know what the part is actually doing as opposed to just changing them. I'll report back this weekend and let you know how this all goes.

 

[toypaseo]

I recently pulled a GEM from a junkyard for my 96, thinking it might solve an issue I was having.

Not 100% sure, but thought it was best to get one with matching part numbers. Out of 15-20 Explorers, only one had matching for mine.

 

[retnuh]

Well I replaced the GEM this weekend and no luck on fixing the wipers. So far I've replaced the GEM, wiper motor, fuses for the gem and wipers and the wiper relays. So now I'm officially stumped. Think the only culprit left is a broken wire(s) and or the multi-function switch. I'll go junk yard hopping again this weekend because for some reason the junkyards we have around here are only open til 5. So lets hope that it doesn't rain at all haha.

 

[JusTheUsual]

Last week my 4wdhi and lo lights blinked 6 times. I disconnected the battery and hasn't come back since. That happens sometimes.

 

[retnuh]

Ok so I did a little poking around last night just to see if I could find maybe a faulty ground or something. I was in the middle of checking my braided ground cable when my buddy texted me and said you should just check every single fuse because he had a ford tempo that the fuses didn't seem to match the book. So I started checking all the fuses and low and behold number 20 is blown! According to the book it's suppose to be a fuse for radio/power antenna/gem/anti theft/cell phone. I change it, put my negative battery cable back on and turn the key. The fuse immediately blew. So as I sit there wondering why this is happening I notice that my wipers are still in the high position so I turn them off and repeat the replacement process of the fuse. So this time I turn the key on without the wipers already actuated and the fuse holds. I then decide to test the waters by turning them on and number 20 blows again! So now I'm super confused as according to my manual this fuse has nothing to do with the wipers at all.

So now I'm wondering if this is a common thing to have these fuses protect things that aren't listed on the diagram or am I just dealing with some serious weird electrical issues. Also would it be possible that I have a short to ground inside the multi function switch that would cause this to blow. Also I'm finding conflicting information of the manual I have for the vehicle and what is showing online. My manual says I need to put a 7.5 in there but it had a 10 in there from the previous owner and online it says to use a 10. I should also note that I did put a 25 amp in just to see if it would let me run the wipers and it did and held(I know how potentially dangerous this is and it was only for one second to verify I'm on the right track) ..... I'll stop right here as it's getting difficult for even myself to follow haha.

 

[D.R.Ball]

Test and check the multifunction switch. Autozone.com should have some trouble shooting information. Do you know where the ground for the instrument panel is ? It's not in the engine bay. Check under the dash board driver and passenger sides. Do you have the Ford EVTM , Body and Chassis manual ? If not buy them there is way more information than Chilton's etc. have... As for using a 20 amp fuse, (NO) find the short to ground in that circuit....It sounds like the multifunction switch. The old Datsun 240's had similar problems. Yes I know its a+ 40 year old car but OHM's laws is older still.

 

[SoNic67]

The MFS is hard to test fully. It's a mess of sliding contacts, springs, isolating parts... and they are wearing out eventually.
Better to replace it, the JY or Chinese ones (on eBay) are not that expensive.
A Ford one is only like $70.

 

[koda2000]

Well, you definitely have a wiper/MFS related short. Could be a pinched wire or the MFS itself. If you have tilt wheel, wires can become pinched or broken from moving the steering wheel up and down over time. Try the steering wheel in a different position and see if the fuse holds. That would verify that you have a pinched wire.