2000 Ford F-150: water leaks into the cabin

Filed Mar 14, 2009 · Electrical, Visibility · 121,200 miles · IN

The starter motor was engaging while the engine was running with the key in the run position. I had to disconnect the battery to stop it. The heater blower, parking lights, dash light and gauges, key chime, and radio would turn on and off by themselves without a key in the ignition. According to the ford dealer, this was all caused by water leaking in from the windshield causing the fuse block and gem module to short out. They said it was a common occurrence with windshield leaks on 2000 ford f-150's. They had to remove the windshield and reseal it and replace starter,fuse block, and gem module. This windshield was also resealed 2 weeks after buying this vehicle brand new from the dealer in 2000.

Filed Jan 28, 2008 · Body, Visibility · CA

My window on my ford f150 was leaking. Water leaked into the cab and into the gem and fusebox. First, my fan stayed on after the key was removed. Then a buzzing sound came from around the fusebox. Then a beeping sound started coming from around the fusebox. Lastly I was driving on the freeway and the whole truck began shaking. It was hard to distinguish what the problem was, flat tire, broken axle? I parked the truck, and went to start it again, and the same shuddering came from the engine. This is very dangerous. I began looking on the internet and found that many people with f150's, expeditions, navigators, etc were all having this problem from years 97-03. This should be a recall - this is very hazardous!

Filed Dec 13, 2007 · Body, Visibility · 111,200 miles · OH

When it rains or snows, water leaks from around the windshield onto fuse box causing electrical failure of wipers, damage to relays, battery draining to dead, and failure of other electrical components. The windshield has no chips or cracks !

Filed Jul 13, 2006 · Electrical · 43,930 miles · OH

The vehicle started however, I was unable to shift it into gear. After three calls to a ford dealership, I was advised to shift it into neutral, start it then shift it into drive. I was able to drive it home however, the power windows & windshield wipers were not working. I heard "clicking" noises coming from the fuse box. After placing it into drive, the radio would not work. When I placed it in park, the radio started working. When using the panel/floor defrost, I heard an electrical shorting noise coming from under the hood. On 1/23/05, it would not start; only the lights on the dashboard came on; I was unable to shift it into neutral; the engine did not turn over. The vehicle was towed to krieger ford. Initially, I was told that it needed a new starter. After further testing, I was advised that the fuse box and gem were water-logged due to water leaking into them as the result of a faulty seal in the windshield which is the original factory installed windshield. I found an article ironically titled "quality is the prime imperative with ford". The 1st paragraph states "installing windshields in vehicles has always been a pain. Fixing water leaks is the last thing you want to do in a vehicle assembly plant". The 2nd paragraph states "...has brought the number of windshield leaks significantly under 1 per 20 hours of production..." the 3rd paragraph references the word "defects". I wrote a lengthy letter dated 2/5/05 to the ceo of ford with attachments of the article, online complaints stating the same problems & questioned the september 2004 tie rod inspection procedure mailed to me from ford with regard to premature wearing and separation. I had also spoken to individuals in ford's customer service center on several occasions. I paid krieger ford over $1,000 to replace the starter (their "quick" fix), replace the gem & fuse box & remove & re-seal the windshield. Ford responded to my letter by placing me on their promotional mailing list. Documentation available.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Electrical · AL

2000 ford f150 leaking around driver side windshield wiper area. Water leaks down inside firewall into a relay/control terminal and activates the ignition and security system. Normally this drains the battery and deactivates the ignition until the unit dries out. This only occurs during heavy rain.