General Electronic Module (GEM)

[sken52]

1999 XLT, AWD V-8 I kept getting a dead battery so took to local repair shop. They said the GEM (General Electronic Module) was causing the problem. Ford hasn't made the part (XU7Z14B205AA) for years and the local Ford dealer says they don't have a substitute. I found that part number module on E-Bay, supposedly new old stock from a closed Ford dealership. The repair shop says that when they try to program it, it comes up as belonging to a 4X4, not an AWD. They say this part has to be VIN number specific. This is the same exact part number that was in my truck from the factory. How can it not be the correct part? I don't understand how the same part number can work or not work depending on the VIN. Could they just not be programming it correctly? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome. All Ford parts have a general part number, plus an engineering number. The basic part number uses a suffix at the end to define which models(trim and option levels) the part is for. So your AWD doesn't need the 4WD version of the GEM. The GEM modules on these are not programmable, they need nothing done to them, you can plug it in after installing it.

Your part ends in "AA" which by your post suggests it is from a 4WD model. There were only two GEM's made for the 1999-2000 Explorers, so you had a 50/50 chance to get the right one. The 4WD version has the small 4WD circuitry in it, you don't need that but it might cause some odd issue. I would try it, because your AWD truck does not have all of the wires in the dash for the 4WD, the power wires specifically. It may work perfectly, I'd try it.

BTW, the GEM is located under the dash, most people can find it quickly, and R&R it.

The GEM is full of electronics, it is likely to cause issues like you have given the age. Expect other issues for any vehicle with such electronics, of great age. That means radios, trip computers, compass, AC controllers etc, common items older than say 15-20 years of age.

 

[410Fortune]

I have a 99 v8 awd outside I can sell you the gem for like $20
Plus ship

The one you found on eBay will likely work
What you want is a gem from similar year with similar functions

The only difference between a 99 v8 gem and a v6 gem will be the 4x4 shift controls inside. In your awd v8 the 4wd control portion of the gem would just be idle/ ignored
Most important is that your new gem comes from a 4 door and is a 99-01 explorer

The gem Module has the controls for the battery saver relay inside it. This relay is known to drain batteries when it fails. Before replacing the gem I would replace that relay

The battery saver relay is located in aux relay box 1, which is next to the gas pedal way under the dash, it’s a black box about 3”x7” and it’s to the north and east of the gas pedal

 

[Turdle]

Possible a 2wd V6 and awd V8 will be same, long as options/ years match.

 

[sken52]

I have a 99 v8 awd outside I can sell you the gem for like $20
Plus ship

The one you found on eBay will likely work
What you want is a gem from similar year with similar functions

The only difference between a 99 v8 gem and a v6 gem will be the 4x4 shift controls inside. In your awd v8 the 4wd control portion of the gem would just be idle/ ignored
Most important is that your new gem comes from a 4 door and is a 99-01 explorer

The gem Module has the controls for the battery saver relay inside it. This relay is known to drain batteries when it fails. Before replacing the gem I would replace that relay

The battery saver relay is located in aux relay box 1, which is next to the gas pedal way under the dash, it’s a black box about 3”x7” and it’s to the north and east of the gas pedal

Turns out that the part number the garage gave me is not the same part that's in my truck. That part number they gave me is for a 4X4 Explorer, not my AWD. The part that's in my Explorer now, and came from the factory is XL2T-14B-205BB. Below the scan code it reads "Sport Utility 4X2." The incorrect one I ordered, says "Sport Utility Automatic 4X4." Thanks.

 

[410Fortune]

The one you ordered will probably still work fine as long as it is from the same year and 4 doors

 

[sken52]

The one you ordered will probably still work fine as long as it is from the same year and 4 doors

Thank you!

 

[97Sandbox]

Possible a 2wd V6 and awd V8 will be same, long as options/ years match.

I just went through a similar situation with my '99 Mounty (5.0/AWD). Battery saver was freaking out, cutting power to windows and dome lights. I grabbed a GEM from a 2000 Explorer (4.0 OHV/RWD) and all my issues went away when I swapped that in.

What's funny is when I tried a GEM from a '98 5.0/AWD truck, I had all sorts of wires crossed. So RWD vs. AWD doesn't matter, but the year definitely does!

 

[sken52]

I just went through a similar situation with my '99 Mounty (5.0/AWD). Battery saver was freaking out, cutting power to windows and dome lights. I grabbed a GEM from a 2000 Explorer (4.0 OHV/RWD) and all my issues went away when I swapped that in.

What's funny is when I tried a GEM from a '98 5.0/AWD truck, I had all sorts of wires crossed. So RWD vs. AWD doesn't matter, but the year definitely does!

Thank you!

 

[DintDobbs]

See, Sandbox's problem helped solve sken52's. This community rules. And now this information is preserved for posterity.

 

[CDW6212R]

The 98 model year was a big change year for most Fords. You have to be sure to match the parts you get with the compatible year models.

The 1999-2001 Explorer didn't have a lot of major changes, things like the GEM swap among them. The 98 was the first to get the green dash lighting, before that Ford liked blue interior lights. In the Mustangs, the 98's were unique in almost every way electrical. Avoid those odd year parts so in the future you can find compatible stuff easier.

 

[Blandy]

I replaced my 95 5:spd RWD GEM and several electrical issues were resolved.However, shortly thereafter my new battery started discharging rather quickly. Is this "battery saver relay" something you can just disconnect if it is the cause?