CRAZY electrical (maybe alarm) problem, please help me...

[dondiesel444]

I did a search but I found nothing. Here's the problem:

We were coming home in my P/U just now and noticed the interior light on in the X. I got out of my truck and locked the doors of the X with the FOB and started walking inside, then I looked back and the interior light was on and the doors unlocked. I sat in the X, and the doors kept unlocking, even if they were unlocked, they would still try and unlock. It's like someone with another FOB kept pushing the unlock button at no specific intervals. So I locked all the doors and sat inside and waited. After like 1 minute, the interior lights came on, then the doors unlocked. Also I don't see the theft light working at all. I am not sure if the problem is the alarm, the door lock, I am going nuts here. WTF is going on?? I removed the fuses for the locks and the interior lights so my battery wont drain tonight. Please help, what should I do here??

 

[dondiesel444]

any ideas??

 

[dondiesel444]

OK I was searching for hours last night and found only 1 post where the guy had the exact same thing going on as me. But the thread ended before he posted how he fixed this problem.

Today I checked the relays, I believe they are working, I swtched the lock/unlock relays around, thinking that if the relay was bad, my problem would turn from the doors unlocking by themself to locking by themself. I also checked the anti theft relay under the dash. IT is still doing this. I have tried everything I can think of. I think my problem is anti-theft related, but I have no idea, I am at a dead end.

Please doesn't anybody have any ideas or suggestions for me??

 

[dogfriend]

In the 95 and up explorers the GEM (generic electronic module) controls the courtesy lights and door locks (and other things too). It sounds like you may have a problem with the GEM.

I don't have any troubleshooting experience with the GEM, I will see if I can find anything useful.

The GEM is located inside the dash, behind and to the right of the radio.

 

[X24]

Did you throw a post up in that other thread you found?

 

[dondiesel444]

I just posted in the thread I found, but it is almost 3 years old, I don't think that guy is around anymore.

I had my radio out this morning looking for the relays, I found them under the dash above the gas pedal. Is there any way to check the GEM??

Thanks.

 

[dondiesel444]

OK seems like everyone is pointing towards the GEM, but how do I test it??

I just called a Ford dealer, the service manager told me that there are "switches" that stick around the door handles, he said to spry WD-40 all in up in there. I am gonna do that now, but I don't think that is my problem, he said he has seen it before, but I don't really trust those dealership guys they only wanna make a buck.

I'll let you guys know what happens...

 

[dogfriend]

I looked on my factory manual CD, Dead Link Removed

There is some info on how to troubleshoot problems with the GEM, but the long and short of it is that you probably need a NGS (new generation star) scan tool or equivalent scan tool to be able to read the GEM diagnostic codes.

From what I read, the RAP (anti theft) module and the courtesy lights are related to each other by the GEM. If the GEM recieves a " request" from the anti theft module, then it will turn the courtesy lights on. It is possible that the problem lies with the anti theft module which is located in the left (drivers) side rear quarter panel behind the plastic piece in the cargo area.

If you are going to troubleshoot it yourself, I recommend getting the CD discussed in the link above. It shows the schematics, DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) and describes the operation of the GEM and the anti theft module.

 

[dondiesel444]

thanks for the info. What I did last night was un-hook the RAP module. It is a temperary fix, my doors aren't unlocking by themslves anymore, but now the alram isn't functional and we can't use the key-fab, no big deal. I'm not sure if the RAP itself is bad, of if it is something else, a sensor or switch maybe, that is at fault and telling the RAP to unlock the doors. After Christmas I will try the junkyards and find another RAP, if I install a new RAP and the problem doesn't come back, then I guess my RAP was the problem, but if I install another RAP and the problem still exists, then I guss I'll have to keep searching. At least now my doors aren't unlocking anymore. Thank you for all your help, I really apprecitate it!!

Merry Christmas!!