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 the power windows also continue to work with the key off and the door open the accessory delay relay is either physically stuck or the GEM is keeping it turned on. You will need to have a deep understanding of these systems and testing tools to accurately diagnose your problem.
I see that many people have issues with their car radios staying on while the key is not in the ignition. I am having the same issue and now after taking the battery out to have it tested (it’s at 71% according to the people at AutoZone who recharged it) my radio still stays on when the key is out of the ignition plus my 1998 Ford Expedition will not start at all. I checked the fuses with the fuse testing tool I purchased at AuotZone and they are working. Can you tell me what I should be checking next? I think my next step is checking the GEM, but honestly I wouldn’t know what to look for. Should I check the relays? Anyways…any guidance you could provide would be helpful.
I have a 1998 Ford F150 4×4 4.6l 5speed. one day my truck just quit running. took it to a shop, they told me it was my crank sensor, then my PCM, then my cam sensor, $1100 later i told them they were stupid and took my truck home to fix my self. none of stuff they replaced was bad, yet i still had to pay for it. I am not getting any spark. ive got power going to the ignition coils, but nothing coming out. I also had problems with my dome light staying on, lights on the dash not working. warning lights not coming on. 4×4 light not coming on. but i have the XL model, so i dont have power windows or locks or mirrors. does this sound like a GEM Problem?
Zach
A body control module and GEM are the same thing. Ford uses the term GEM and most of the rest of the world uses BCM. There is some gray area with programming the GEMs however. Ford states they need to be programmed but my experience has been that they will work out of the box. If you have factory anti theft feature on your truck it will not start until every code is cleared out of every computer unit on your truck. Used GEMs can be a little tricky, in that all options have to match between donor and recipient vehicles.
I have a 1998 F150 Lariat which I bought new. Recently, the drivers side window began rolling down unexpectedly. Sometimes it would not roll down at all. The last few weeks it has stopped working altogether ( although today for the first time it rolled down on tis own again for the first time in several weeks). My mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty body control module. Is this the same thing as a GEM? He also said I would need to go to a Ford dealer to have a new one programmed. I cannot tell from the posts if the junkyard versions are working. Thanks again.