Automotive Forums

Within a year had problems with the rear windshield wipers not working. Just recently found out they work if I preset the wiper to the up position before i turn the wipers to the on position. The truck has already had the sun (moon) roof replaced along with the track it operated on.  Gillispe Ford here in san antonio did a poor job and the experience i had there will be unforgetable.  Needless to say the mechanic who initially started the job got fired so they say. So after getting a new interior roof liner and T.V. due to their uncarelessly way of doing things, i was just glad to get my SUV back after 2 months of hagelling with them.  Even today I'm experiencing some water leaks when running it throught the car wash but I don't want to deal with that dealership right now. I'm currently experiencing electrical problems with the speedometer flashing on and off.  The blinkers work at times and sometimes not at all.  My radio station/timer light is out.  It might come on at times but fades away.  Is there anyone out there that has same problems and has any suggestions?
                          Help in San Antonio  

I have a little information for you, but it won't make you feel any better.  I also have a 2000 EB Expedtion with crazy electrical problems - and we are not the only ones.  There is a defect  with the installation of the windshild that causes water in enter the cab.  Upon entry, the water goes into the GEM Mod and Fuse panel of the SUV.  This shorts the system - at one point you may encounter the heater turning on without the key in the ignition.  Here is a special notice sent by ford in 2002 regarding this problem: *FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM WATER INTRUSION INTO THE GEM/CJB
SOME 1997-2002 EXPEDITION AND 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT
VARIOUS UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FRONT OR REAR BLOWER OR EATC STAYING ON WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, RADIO STAYING ON AFTER DOORS OPENED AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WIPER CIRCUIT FAILURE CODES, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH 'SHORT TO POWER' OR 'LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE' DTCS. THESE SYMPTOMS MOST OFTEN OCCUR AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW.
THIS MAY BE DUE TO GEM/CJB WATER INTRUSION RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE GEM AND CJB FROM THE VEHICLE, SEPARATE THEM AND INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION. IF FOUND IN EITHER COMPONENT, REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS AND COMPLETELY RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/05/2002

I have been going round and round with dealerships in town, the warranty company and Ford - no one will take care of this which means I will be out $800 if I want to drive my SUV in the rain.  There is no recall - only a special notice!

Be careful - I have found reports that the SUV can lose power while in operation which is very dangerous.  

I have confirmed this letter with the dealerships in town and Ford's 800 number.  I have also confirmed this problem with Ford Tech's.  They all know about it, but until Ford decides to fix it - we are out of luck.

As for the warranty and insurance company's, they say that this is not covered because it is water leaking in - and that it is a defect.  Yeah, I am confused too.  

Best of luck - and let me know if you make any moves forward.  

I am currently feeling your pain.  I just barely, we're talking about an hour ago, dropped my 1998 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition off at a service center, to hopefully get it fixed sometime this week.  It's been having electrical issues for awhile, and just recently the alternator had to be replaced.  Since then the lovely electrical issues have snowballed.  Driving down the road, my locks start locking and unlocking themselves.  Then the warning lights start going off (airbag, theft device, ABS, battery). Then it starts to shake and I press the gas pedal, and nothing happen except it rolls forward slowly, like i'm idling through the light.  I made it to the 7-11 parking lot just before it died. I've got no idea what is wrong, only that I'm either the owner of a very large paperweight, or my truck is possessed.  

I can not stress this point more to all persons having problems of this and any kind with any vehicle. Please do the following.

Immediately go to your vehicle manufacturers site and find thier contact information and call thier customer service number and make a registerd complaint. This complaint will require you to know and provide the VIN to the manufacturer and they will create a case file and even send you a letter showing that you have made this complaint. This will, after enough claim/complaints require them to take action.

Complaining only on the blogs or websites will not cause action. Please accept my advice and if just read this and intend on replying to this log stating that you dont want to do it and that it will take too much time to do this, than you have just wasted more time telling me this than it will take you to make the claim.

Its almost like a civil responsability fgor you to make this complaint to the manufacturer. Please do.  

I too own a 2000 EB Expedition.  Same issues !!   I have complained on the Ford Website...  also filed a claim with NHTSA.  Mine not only has the wipers, lights, defroster issues...  Tonight - It was trying to start.  Yes, like someone was turning the key, - but no key in the ignition.  The only way to stop these things from happening is to remove a battery cable.  (This ONLY happens when it's raining)         UGH !!!     Anyone else out there have any ideas?  

WHAT IS THE GEM AND THE CJB AND HOW TO REMOVE IT  

the GEM is a generic elctronic module, with relays and diodes,(like the EEC only smaller), the CJB is the compartment juction box(fuse panel) the GEM is behinde the fuse panel. you have to remove the fuse panel to get to the GEM.  

I have had numerous times when the blower for the defroster will continue to run after the ignition is turned off.  How do you know if replacing the GEM will solve the problem?  Is removing the fuse box difficult?  

I've heard on several sites that this is water leaking into the GEM or CJB.  can anyone explain where these are located or possibly how to remove them to clean them up or dry them off or whatever?  if i'm correct it's the little fusebox under the dash on the driver's side.  does removing them require removing the entire dash or is there a way to dry them off without removing them or drill a hole to release the water?  i'm just trying not to spend a fortune on a used vehicle that ended up as a lawn ornament 3 months after i bought it.  i'd also like to be able to travel in the rain.  thanks in advance.  this is driving me nuts!  

No need to remove the dash to remove the CJB or the GEM.  

Thanks for the post. My 2000 expedition was acting like it was pocessed.lol.I am checking gem/cjb as I type this.I will also have winshield resealed as well.I hope this will fix the problem. My heater/headlights were staying on even with the key off.when I unhooked battery,heater went out, but to my amazement my headlights kept flicking on and off.Other then this problem everything else is fine.  

Right before GUSTAV EVACUATION: my 2000 Expedition started acting possessed it started with a jump in the oil gauge...2 days later it went crazy then died...there is a crack in the windshield which i have noticed on several ford models (i also have an explorer with crack in same general area of windshield) Is this a typical? It starts on the left side of the vehicle if you were facing the windshield...I have read what you all have to say...IT IS TIME FOR ACTION HOW DO WE GET THIS FORD COMPANY TO CLAIM THERE MISTAKE AND FIX WHAT IS THEIR FAULT? THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM.... I dont know if you all have a "news on your side " program in your area but this is definately something the media should be involved in...please let me know! I have several government and legal connections co have there been any deaths due to this problem???? Obviously this is not an isolated problem. I can be reached at italiandish_01@yahoo.com.  I have had 3 fords in my life do they not vaalue my consumership?  

You do have to remove some parts. I just spent a few hours taking it apart and finally pulled out the fuse box. i believe that the gem is piggy backed to it. It works perfectly when it is dry and I can't see any corrosion. so I might just replace them for good measure and reseal the windshield. If it only happens when it rains then resealing the ws should fix the problem. the metal around it is rusted but i don't know if it is because of the leak or just the bare sheet metal getting wet from humidity. any ideas?  

Well I've got a 2003 F150 and have the same problem. I've replaced the GEM and Fuse box. Now I'm trying to find the water leak. I've taken it to 3 different Glass shops and they're telling me it's not my windshield. They have water tested the windshield and said it was fine. Now they're telling me it's somewhere on the firewall. I have no idea what to do and I can't find anyone that will try to find the leak.