Intermittant GEM problem, I think.

[billytour]

Hello everyone from Minnesota!

The wipers, power windows, and some interior lights on my 2000 Mountaineer will sometimes lose power for a while and then after a few hours come back on. I've checked all the fuses and relays and they are fine. I have a V8 so it's not covered by the SB which repairs the GEM under a service recall because of a condition known as GEM lockup. I'm ready to try replacing the GEM myself, but I'm not sure where it's located. I think it's behind the radio. Can anyone confirm that for me?

Thanks,

 

[Dopler174]

Welcome to the forum! I'm not sure where it would be...I would think it would be behind the steering column...But I'm sure I'm wrong.

 

[gijoecam]

The GEM is to the driver's side of the stereo opening, behind the stereo and beside the dash vent plenum:

To get to it, remove the stereo and HVAC surround (2 screws above the heater controls), remove the stereo, remove the AC vent plenum, then unplug the two connectors on the front, remove the bolt, pick the GEM up and off the two hooks, drop it down, and unplug the third connector on the top. All together, replacement should take about 20 minutes.

-Joe

 

[billytour]

Thanks GI JOE

I was able to get the old one out and found a used one at a boneyard for $35 with a 90 day warranty. So far everything is working great. Appreciate the help and the picture you posted. Hope this helps others as well. It would have cost $550 parts and labor at local ford dealer to put new one in, or at minimum $175 for me to put a new one in. Quite the mark up! Again , Thanks a lot.

 

[gijoecam]

$375 in LABOR?!!?! That's highway robbery at its finest!! $375 for a 20 minute job?!?!?! I'd have words with the service manager over that price....

Oh, I guess they may actually connect an NGS tester to it and go through and reprogram all the options so everything works properly... but that's hardly worth that kind of money!!