GEM Module Questions - F-Series & SuperDuty Diesel Forums

Chewman · 05-30-2009, 03:13 PM

Ok guys, My Ex is starting to get on my nerves.

A few months back I was told that my GEM was going south when I asked how to diagnose the truck not responding to the keyfob. I havent gotten to replacing it because I have had other fires to put out and I can use the key.

This week new electrical issues have surfaced.

Now my airbag warning light comes one, my cruise stopped working and so has my horn.

Fuses are all good.

Are these all on the GEM or do I have more gremlins to trace?

IF more gremlins where do I start?

Thanks for the advice!

J_F250 · 05-30-2009, 08:18 PM

My truck did the same thing. Sounds like a clock spring in the steering wheel. I replaced it and it all worked again. The GEM is another issue that I hope I will not have to deal with.
Good luck.

Chewman · 06-01-2009, 05:39 PM

The clock spring has input into the cruise, horn, and airbag?

J_F250 · 06-01-2009, 07:41 PM

Yes if you have cruise control buttons on the steering wheel.
Tell me does it light up at night when you have the lights on? If not I would almost guarantee that is the problem. The cruise does not work, does not light up, the airbag light is on, and the horn doesn't work. The exact same symptoms that were fixed by my clockspring R&R.

Chewman · 06-06-2009, 04:26 PM

THat's what I have going on to a "T"!

What's involved with RnR'n a clock spring? Any special tools needed?

THanks for the advice!

J_F250 · 06-06-2009, 08:13 PM

Don't really know...took mine to the dealership...I didn't want to mess with the airbag.

Bolt · 06-07-2009, 11:57 PM

I posted a clock spring r&r question last week, never got any answers. I don't think it's too hard, I plan on doing it myself. I THINK you need some regular tools plus torx sockets, and a steering wheel puller (can borrow from autozone, etc.) Don't see too many problems with it, but don't pull the locking tab out until you are done, or it will unwind on you.

Unhook battery, and wait. Remove ignition and steering column covers. Unbolt airbag from rear of steering wheel. Remove wheel. Remove clock spring, follow wires. Reinstall wires and clock spring, reassemble column and airbag. Hook up battery.

Note I have not done this, plan on doing it soon, so I don't know how accurate it is yet....

Potentialbuyer · 06-17-2009, 04:43 PM

You are correct. The clockspring is not hard to replace (Clockspring is a Chrysler term, sliding contact is the Ford term). The only thing you forgot in your proceedure is that you must make sure that the steering wheel is centered and the wheels are pointed straight ahead during your installation. Your new sliding contact will come with a tab that keeps it centered as you install it. If the wheel is not straight, you will break the wires inside the sliding contact the first time you turn the steering wheel all the way to one side. Good luck, Gil

05-30-2009, 03:13 PM	#1
Chewman SDD Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GEM Module Questions Ok guys, My Ex is starting to get on my nerves. A few months back I was told that my GEM was going south when I asked how to diagnose the truck not responding to the keyfob. I havent gotten to replacing it because I have had other fires to put out and I can use the key. This week new electrical issues have surfaced. Now my airbag warning light comes one, my cruise stopped working and so has my horn. Fuses are all good. Are these all on the GEM or do I have more gremlins to trace? IF more gremlins where do I start? Thanks for the advice! __________________ Chewman 2001 Excursion, 7.3 PSD

05-30-2009, 08:18 PM	#2
J_F250 SDD Burger Flipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Monteagle, TN Posts: 209 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts View Photos By: J_F250	My truck did the same thing. Sounds like a clock spring in the steering wheel. I replaced it and it all worked again. The GEM is another issue that I hope I will not have to deal with. Good luck. __________________ 2000 F250 SC SB Lariat 4X4, aFe Stage 2 PG7, MBRP duals w/muffler delete, Dipricol gauges, ITP CCV mod, Dieslesite's 203* T-stat, billet housing, max a/c assist, and Coolant filter, Zoodad, ITP pre-pump kit, "The Cure", 6.0 Intercooler, Custom rear bumper, AIH delete, '07 Harley Lights with 5K retro solutions HIDs

06-01-2009, 05:39 PM	#3
Chewman SDD Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The clock spring has input into the cruise, horn, and airbag? __________________ Chewman 2001 Excursion, 7.3 PSD

06-01-2009, 07:41 PM	#4
J_F250 SDD Burger Flipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Monteagle, TN Posts: 209 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts View Photos By: J_F250	Yes if you have cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. Tell me does it light up at night when you have the lights on? If not I would almost guarantee that is the problem. The cruise does not work, does not light up, the airbag light is on, and the horn doesn't work. The exact same symptoms that were fixed by my clockspring R&R. __________________ 2000 F250 SC SB Lariat 4X4, aFe Stage 2 PG7, MBRP duals w/muffler delete, Dipricol gauges, ITP CCV mod, Dieslesite's 203* T-stat, billet housing, max a/c assist, and Coolant filter, Zoodad, ITP pre-pump kit, "The Cure", 6.0 Intercooler, Custom rear bumper, AIH delete, '07 Harley Lights with 5K retro solutions HIDs

06-06-2009, 04:26 PM	#5
Chewman SDD Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	THat's what I have going on to a "T"! What's involved with RnR'n a clock spring? Any special tools needed? THanks for the advice! __________________ Chewman 2001 Excursion, 7.3 PSD

06-06-2009, 08:13 PM	#6
J_F250 SDD Burger Flipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Monteagle, TN Posts: 209 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts View Photos By: J_F250	Don't really know...took mine to the dealership...I didn't want to mess with the airbag. __________________ 2000 F250 SC SB Lariat 4X4, aFe Stage 2 PG7, MBRP duals w/muffler delete, Dipricol gauges, ITP CCV mod, Dieslesite's 203* T-stat, billet housing, max a/c assist, and Coolant filter, Zoodad, ITP pre-pump kit, "The Cure", 6.0 Intercooler, Custom rear bumper, AIH delete, '07 Harley Lights with 5K retro solutions HIDs

06-07-2009, 11:57 PM	#7
Bolt SDD Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Plainview, Texas Posts: 228 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	I posted a clock spring r&r question last week, never got any answers. I don't think it's too hard, I plan on doing it myself. I THINK you need some regular tools plus torx sockets, and a steering wheel puller (can borrow from autozone, etc.) Don't see too many problems with it, but don't pull the locking tab out until you are done, or it will unwind on you. Unhook battery, and wait. Remove ignition and steering column covers. Unbolt airbag from rear of steering wheel. Remove wheel. Remove clock spring, follow wires. Reinstall wires and clock spring, reassemble column and airbag. Hook up battery. Note I have not done this, plan on doing it soon, so I don't know how accurate it is yet.... __________________ 2005 F250 XLT CC SB Red 6.0 PSD, Torqshift, 4x4 285/70/17 Michelin A/T2's Turbo Back MBRP Innovative SCT X3 Isspro Gauges Diesel Site Coolant Filter

06-17-2009, 04:43 PM	#8
Potentialbuyer SDD Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cazenovia/NY Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	You are correct. The clockspring is not hard to replace (Clockspring is a Chrysler term, sliding contact is the Ford term). The only thing you forgot in your proceedure is that you must make sure that the steering wheel is centered and the wheels are pointed straight ahead during your installation. Your new sliding contact will come with a tab that keeps it centered as you install it. If the wheel is not straight, you will break the wires inside the sliding contact the first time you turn the steering wheel all the way to one side. Good luck, Gil

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