Electrical issues on '98 Windstar

[debian4life]

I have a '98 Windstar with 3.8 engine. I am currently having the following issues and I am not sure if they are related and I need help on how to troubleshoot this.

1. Power window on passenger door does not go down
2. Dome light stays on intermitanly
3. Power locks do not open with remote and I have to push the lock buttons on the door to get all locks to open/lock
4. Rear windows do not open or close periodically

I could use some advice on how to troubleshoot these issues. Thank you!

[tripletdaddy]

Did these problems happen all at once or one by one? Do all of the other interior lights come on with the dome light that normally would be on with a door open? This could be your GEM (generic electronic module) or a wiring switch problem. The more I look at the diagrams, the more I think you should look at the GEM, as it is connected to all of those things. It also controls the wipers, any problems there? It is also called a "FEM(Front Electronic Module). It is located to the left of the brake pedal. It has 3 wiring connections on the bottom. It is against the firewall." From what I've read, the dealer can test it and access fault codes in it. I expect it to be expensive to test and replace. A junker part may be worth trying.

If not that, then the switches and wiring are at issue. The power AND the ground for ALL of the windows that are controlled on the driver's door go through the window/door switch assembly in the driver's door and then to the the right window switch on the right door. So, I'd start with the driver's door. Clean all the switch contacts with electrical/electronic/brake cleaner and then apply a dieletric or petroleum grease on them. Verify power or continuity through the switches when operated. Verify the ground is good too, as this may be all that is not good. Hopefully you can pull up the wiring diagram at Autozone.com or someone here has it you can borrow, but even without it, you can clean everything good and verify they're working. According to my Haynes manual, for what it's worth, all of the window and door lock switch ground wires are black.

[debian4life]

The dome light issue happened first, then about 10 days later the passenger window stopped working, and a month or two later the locks and windows in back acted up. There is a black set of wires under the drivers seat that looked cut. I am not sure what they do. Is it possible for me to take a picture of that and post it here? Are we allowed to post pictures?

[mundy5]

we feel for you debian4life. most people upload photos to sites like flikr or goodtimes and then put in the link to the pictures here. by all means, please take the photo so that we can see. if they are cut, then you definitely need to fix those first b/4 diagnosing anything else.

[tomj76]

Make sure the ground connections to the GEM are good. While the module could be the culprit, it sounds like an electrical "noise" issue to me. I agree that the common thread in all these symptoms is the GEM. I'm assuming from the description that all these symptoms occur at the same time, but not necessarily simultaneously. In other words, one time it could be the windows, another time it could be the lights, another time it's the locks, and now any of these can occur at any random time.

It would be a reasonable idea to check the battery connections (both positive and negative) to make sure they are good a clean as well. If the battery connections are not in good order, then the voltage from the alternator/generator will vary too much. I believe (but have not personally seen it) this variation can be enough to upset the electronics in the GEM.

[fdunford]

Sounds similar to the problems I had and the GEM module was the problem. I got mine from a junk yard ($40) and found it via www.car-parts.com. They call it a 'Computer Box Not Engine' on the selection list box. You then have to select Multifunction, which is the GEM module. There are 2 types, depending on if you have rear ride control.

The site above is great when searching for used parts as it is a global data base for all participating junk yards. No need calling them on the phone - let your fingers do the walking. Good luck and post your solution as you may help others.

[debian4life]

Thanks everyone so far. Here is the link to the pic of the broken wires under the drivers seat. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27883081@N03/2599609782/. Hope this might be the issue for everything!

[debian4life]

Update:

Fixed cut wire under seat. Still have same issue. Checked switches on driver side window. Everything tested ok. Now I took notice that this is affecting the windows and locks on passenger side only. I am thinking to test GEM module but Ford wants $231.56. I dont want to spend that much, in case it turns out to be a ground issue. If it was a ground problem, wouldn't everything not work? Any advice would be appreciated.

Brian

[tripletdaddy]

FWIW. Looking at my Haynes wiring diagrams, if you can get your driver side and rear windows to operate, then the front gem is not likely the problem as they ALL get their power the same way involving the gem. Another words, if one is getting power, then they all are, than it becomes a matter of switches, motors and grounds. In addition, no matter how you supply power to the right window motor, the motor ground alternately uses one or the other wire that power is not. You are simply changing polarity to the motor based on switch position. Whether you use the driver's switch or the passenger's switch to operate the right window, the ground will be sent through one of the two wires going back to the driver's master switch control, where the connection to ground is made. The pass. switch gets power seperately via a LT BLUE/Black wire. This wire also supplies power to the driver's master switch control. You didn't say if the window doesn't operated with either switch or just one, so I assume both don't work. To eliminate possibilities, you need to open up the pass side switch to test for power and ground and to clean the contacts real good. Normally, two sides of the switch will be grounded and the third hot at all times. The two grounded wires will change polarity when you use the master switch, but when using the pass door switch, the two ground wires from the master will each only serve as ground for one direction.

This would also be a good time to try to hot wire the motor to be sure it is working.

You didn't say if you can hear it hum when trying it. With it dark and the interior lights on, does activating the window switch cause the lights to dim? If so, then you more likely have a stuck window, regulator or motor. The motor may be bad.

Based on all of this, I really suspect your switches, connection to the motor, the motor, and the ground connections all the way to the master switch to body ground.

These questions will help rule out the front gem:
Does the driver's window one touch down work normally?
Do the interior lights turn off on a time delay after closing all doors?
When the doors are set to lock, does the sliding door lock automatically when closed?
If after around 45 minutes you leave an interior light on, the light will be automatically be turned off, even if you left a door open?

Just for kicks, I don't know if this would work, but you could try disconnecting the battery for awhile and see if it resets the gem or anything else that may be causing this.

[tripletdaddy]

Would ground issue affect everything? Not necessarily as that could be a connection issue anywhere or just at a switch. The window door lock "motor" could be bad and checked by jumping hot and ground to it, but as with the window motor, I highly recommend disconnecting them from the wiring harness so not to back feed any power to anything and cause damage.

I traced out the door lock circuits in my Haynes, FWIW, and just on the locking loop from the driver's door, the gem is not involved. All doors should lock from it. Check to see if the liftgate lock is locking from the driver's switch. Likewise the sliding door. Also try the lock switch at the liftgate.

For both the windows and doorlocks, find all of the relays and pull them out and put them back. See if you can feel each operate when used. I know the four door lock relays are all with the inside fuse panel. Two door unlock relays, a driver's unlock relay, and a memory lock relay. The windows have a battery saver relay, a delayed accessory relay and a one touch relay. Do you have a remote entry? That could give trouble at the receiver mocule, but I have no idea how to check that. Let's hope it's not an issue. Most if not all of these components either are controlled or monitored by the gem, but like the unlock circuit, the gem couldn't keep individual components from working.

Lastly, you may simply have wires broken at the door hinges from the door opening and closing. One test is to move around the wire bundle, tug on it to see if things work.

Good luck. I've probably given you too much to try and think about. Electrical stuff is just that way. Sorry.