This 1997 Ford F150 needs the GEM module changed due to multiple conditions. To see testing that lead to this repair please click here. The GEM module is located at the rear of the interior fuse box.
The first step is to remove the trim panel that covers the gap between the upper side of the steering column and the dash. It just unsnaps from the dash. It makes it a little easier to remove if you move the shifter all the way down to drive 1.
With that out of the way the lower dash cover can now be removed. Most of the screws have 7 mm heads but there are two that have 8 mm heads.
Those two are at the lower edge of the fuse box.
One wiring harness needs to be disconnected from the panel.
Now the screws for the fuse box can be removed.
The wiring harnesses can be removed from the back of the fuse box. Two 10 mm headed bolts at the center of each connector.
Next remove the tube brace from around the bottom of the steering column. Four fasteners with 13 mm heads.
Now wiggle, pry and twist the fuse box and GEM module assembly down.
After the assembly is down far enough unplug the remaining harness connectors from the GEM module.
Almost there.
The assembly is now free of the vehicle.
The GEM module is held to the back of the fuse box by three phillips headed screws.
Easy to remove Now.
With the three screws removed the GEM unplugs from the back of the fuse box.
I put it all back together and checked my repair for power to the driver’s power window switch.
If you are sure they are bad, you should certainly replace them. It would likely help the dome light issue. Might help the wiper problem but I would not get overly hopeful on that issue.
Sparky
I just now discovered that my interior lights relay and my battery saver relay are bad, i think that they were starting to go bad and that was why i was having the problem…. would this be the cause of my problem?
Ryan
The odds would be with a GEM issue. Depends on how deep you want to get into tools and education as to what you should do to properly diagnose the problem.
Sparky
I have a 97 ford f150 and my dome lights, and windshield wipers won’t work but if i go underneath to the interior fuse box and pull out fuse #16 and put it back in i will here a click and it will start working and then stop an hour or two later, or if i go and disconnect the battery and then reconnect it, it will start to work again and then stop working an hour or two later. I know that this could be the GEM, but i’ve also heard that it could be a loss of ground or a messed up wire somewhere. is this true? Please help.
Ryan
Sparky just an FYI. I looked at all your comments on the GEM I even emailed you a while back about the GEM in my 97 F150. So I decided I would remove it look for broken solder joints with my magnifier seeing nothing I removed all the solder with a solder sucker and re-soldered all the joints I could (some you can’t re-installed it and have’t had a issue since, it has been 3 months now. just thought I let you know
Jimmienitro