Power windows & interior lights intermittent...

[explorerkatz]

I have been chasing this problem for awhile now & can't seem to get a handle on it. My power windows & interior lights will sometimes not work, both at the same time.

If I open the door & I have no interior lights, rest assured the windows will not work either. I have sprayed the door latches so I know I don't have a sticky situation there.

When they intermittently don't work, I can turn the key to the acc, run, & start the vech. (running) & I get no power to them in all three situations.

I am leaning towards a faulty ignition switch. Any ideas on that?

Thanks!

 

[budwich]

check your battery saver or accessory delay relay.... lots of posts with similar symptoms.

 

[explorerkatz]

I've been pouring through other threads which talk about this problem & similar, but I am unable to locate said relays. Are these the ones that are located inside the vech., up above the gas pedal in that black box?

If so, which replay specifically? When I had this problem a couple of months ago, I traced a clicking sound to one of those relays while testing for a batt. drain issue, but I forget which relay it was.

Tried looking at an online diagram for my explorer, but it was confusing - it showed the relay as being under the hood?

 

[explorerkatz]

Sent the explorer to the mechanic, as I don't have a good area to really work on it at this time, nor a scan tool. He replaced the relay(s), no change. However, when he scanned it the GEM had a laundry list of codes as long as your arm.

He is suspecting a defective GEM as being the culprit for the several issues plaguing the vehicle; such as, the aforementioned power window problems, interior lights...

Also, the power mirrors won't work, the OD light flashes occasionally, and the 4WD hi/lo light will blink at times, and when they do I have no 4WD. When they blinked previously, I turned the engine off/back on & then had 4WD.

Anyone else vote for a defective GEM?

Now my prob. is I can only get a used one from a wrecking yard - how can I know if I am getting a good one, especially if I have to buy online?

Ford no longer makes the part, but may be able to locate a new one for me at a dealer across the country...

Welcome any & all comments/suggestions...

 

[budwich]

BUT just replacing relays isn't always the best trouble shooting method.... a meter works a lots better. My "suggestion" was to "look" at the relays(as mentioned)... to see if indeed that are operating as they should and when they should. IF not, further investigation may be needed into wiring. Yes the GEM does a "lot of things" BUT it can't do them if there are wiring issues. Anyways, getting at the GEM will likely help you "magically" solve your problems as you are likely to "disturb" the wiring going to the relay module which is close by.

 

[explorerkatz]

Update - Had a chance to do some work on this; I pulled the GEM & cleaned all the contacts/connectors & also all the connectors I could find behind the radio & in that general area.

Put everything back together & what do you know - everything is working again! It's only been a day so far, but I have a good feeling about it. With a little luck, all it needed was a good contact cleaning.

Power mirrors still don't work, but I don't believe the are controlled by the GEM - I believe I read that in a thread somewhere. Didn't have a chance to look at the wiring for it yet to confirm...

OD light still blinking occasionally, but that is another issue...