2002 Ford F-150: windshield wiper failure

Filed Dec 24, 2016 · Electrical · 162,473 miles · TX

I have been experiencing electrical problems periodically over the past two with my vehicle(originally thought to be the battery), ranging from highlight and flashers intermittently coming on when the vehicle is locked and turned off. The radio and blower motor having issues and the interior dome light coming on ans staying on. I have also noticed more and more that the windshield is leaking on the drivers side of the vehicle. I have also experienced the wipers and head lights lights shut off once whilst driving on the highway at highway speeds during heavy rain.. The most recent occurrence was on the 12/23/2016 at my place of work (ntb), one of my co workers noticed my headlights fading in and out the radio coming on and going off. Went over to the truck to make sure it was turned off and not left on by mistake but the engine was off. So I brought the truck into the work shop to have a look over the vehicle and did some diagnostics on it and discovered multiple defect codes that all connect through the gem(general electrical module) on the interior fuse panel. Upon further inspection I also noticed both the gem and fuse panel box have got water ingestion and green/brown stains coming out the bottom. I have done research online about these's issues and its a common problem over models from ford from 98-03. The fix is to replace the gem and fuse box and to reseal/replace the windshield. Now I believe that is safety issue and should be addressed by ford them self's regardless of the age of the vehicles affected by this. Http://www.f150forum.com/f12/leaky-windshield-gem-module-problem-twist-98192/ http://www.f150forum.com/f6/gem-answer-all-my-issues-43475/

Filed May 11, 2015 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · MI

The problem started with the vehicle not starting and the battery appearing to be dead. Battery was replaced and now the electrical issues are widespread and out of control. The radio, wipers, dome lights and dash lights go off and on and the starter tries to start the truck after it is running. I have been locked out of the truck due to the locks engaging on their own and I had to pull over in a severe rainstorm due to the wipers that all of a sudden stopped working. It has been root caused to be water intrusion into the vehicle from the windshield getting into the fuse box and the gem module is now bad. I have researched this and it very frustrating to know that this particular vehicle year is well known for this issue. I have read literally a thousand comments of people having the exact same issue with no resolution from ford. No recall was issued and we have to spend a large sum of money to fix a known issue with this and similar vehicles. Now the ford dealer is telling me the gem module has been on back order for months as they are resourcing the product, so I can't even get the parts to fix it. I am fortunate this did not result in a severe accident or fire.

Filed May 5, 2011 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NY

My husband purchased a used 2002 f150 ford truck back in 2004. In the past 3 years, the truck has major electrical issues every time it rains for more than 2 days straight. It starts with the radio shutting off while driving. Next the wipers will not work then the power windows wont open. Each time he gets in and out of his car, another electrical feature will not work. Finally, when he gets in to start his car and it won't turn over. In april 2009, he has the electrical sensor in the gem model replaced. On april 28th 2010, he had to have the multifunctional fuse box replaced. In march 2011, he had a new battery installed. Today he is waiting for aaa to jump his car as it won't start. I called the dealer who informed me that their are no known recalls for this issue. We were told by another dealer that it sounds like water is getting into the fuse box module due to the front window not being properly sealed .

Filed Feb 7, 2010 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · IN

2002 ford f150. 4x4. 5.4 l v8. Drivers side leaky windshield. Leak causes corrosion of electrical components under dash. The gem module; which controls most all electronics on the dash; radion, 4x4, wipers, headlights controls, heating and air conditioning controls. Due to the corrosion or the gem module and fuse box on drivers side of vehicle the starter will randomly engage itself as well. Many of the relays under the dash are under abnormal conditions. During the malfunction of the above two items the relays will "chatter" constantly. All of the above conditions will happen with the keys out of the ignition. With no keys in the ignition the fan blower will still run, headlights stay on ( in auto position). Numerous other electrical problems. There are numerous postings or identical troubles on the internet. Countless ford mechanics will tell of same troubles.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Airbags, Electrical · 88,000 miles · VA

2002 ford f-150 windshield leaks causing damage to electrical system (fuse box and electrical module). Many issue happening including windshield wipers not working and shorting out the airbag deactivation switch. Windshield repair facility states this was a known issue with the priming of the windshields at installation in manufacturing. Also states it might cause a potential for the windshield to eject itself during a rollover reducing structural integrity of the cab. Dealer who identified the problem stated it was not a known issue but research states otherwise as well as a letter from ford to the dealerships explaining the issue - #15773.

Filed Aug 7, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 100,000 miles · MO

I have had the 02' f150 since december 07' and have had major problems with the windshield leaking. I have found that this is a common problem with in the 97' to 03' f150 models via ford forums and other internet sites as well as the local ford dealer repair shop who worked on my truck. This leak shorts out the fuse panel in the cab that causes the loss of power to equipment including the windshield wipers which is a safety issue when driving in inclement weather. The leak also tends to short out the instrument panel causing the computer to be unable to read what gear the truck is in. This causes the truck to not start and even shut down while driving which again is a safety issue while driving in any condition. This leak cost me $1500 dollars in repairs due to damage to the starter, relay, alternator, computer, fuse panel, and having to replacing the windshield. I was told by ford that this leak was not a safety issue and have only issued a special service bulletin! I can not understand how the windshield leak is not a safety issue yet a recall can be issued for fading paint?

Filed Apr 19, 2008 · Body, Electrical · 85,000 miles · WI

My vehicle has a water leak that is getting the gem module wet and this has resulted in the wipers failing, the power windows to fail, the heater fan stays on after the key is removed from the ignition, and the engine runs very rough and stalls resulting in me losing the power steering and putting the vehicle in a ditch, the wipers stopped working during a recent heavy rain and I had to pull onto the side of the interstate for over 30 minutes. Ford customer service claims they never heard of the problem but I found out they issued a technical service bulletin 98-9-13 to the dealers about this and also ford special message #15773 for this problem. The dealer wants over $1,100.00 to fix .this problem is in 1997-2002 ford f150 and expeditions. I feel that the loss of wipers and sudden loss of power steering and power brakes is a bigger safety hazard than the current recall on the cruise control.

Filed Mar 28, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 103 miles · MO

I have had the 02' f150 just over one year and have had problems with the windshield leaking into the cab. I have found that this is a common problem in the 97' to 03' f150 model via ford forums and other internet groups. This leak shorts out the fuse panel causing the loss in power in various equipment including the windshield wipers. This short has also caused the instrument panel to fail causing the computer to not read what gear the truck is in which has caused the truck not to start or stop running while the truck is in operation. The only way the fix the problem is to have the windshield removed and resealed as well as replacing the fuse panel replaced. Others as well as I have had to have other repairs made due to the leak including the instrument panel, starter, relay, alternator, and the ignition sensor. I have had to make these repairs out of pocket as no manufacture recall has been issued, only a special service bulletin. Ford has been contacted about this issue but has stated that it is not a safety issue.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Electrical · FL

I have a 2002 ford f-150 supercrew, about 6 months ago my electrical panel started having a mind of its own everytime it rains. My radio, windshield wipers, blinkers, tail lights and interior lights go off and on. I have almost been in several accidents due to this problem not being able to see because of windshield wipers not working and also because of blinkers not working. The problem is getting worse and I believe ford should fix this since it is definitely several large safety issues.

Filed Jan 28, 2007 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · PA

In late summer of 2006, my 2002 ford f-150 began experiencing chassis electrical system malfunctions. Every time there was a rainstorm. Specifically, the windshield wipers ceased to work, the interior dome light would flash on & off, the blower motor for the heater would continue to run after shutting off ignition, the keyless entry system would not work, the ABS warning light would come on. I took the vehicle to ford dealer # 1 who, when I described the symptoms, stated immediately that the problem was due to water leaking past the lower windshield seal and shorting out the gem module and the fuse block mounted on the interior firewall. Dealer stated "this is an expensive repair, you might want to do the work yourself". As I didn't feel I had the ability to repair, I let it go for several weeks. In late november of 2006, I was driving to work before sunrise, in a very heavy rain, when the wipers shut off and the dome light came on making it impossible to see. I told my parents about this & they instructed me to take vehicle to ford dealer # 2 for repair at their expense. Dealer # 2 was aware of the condition as well. The estimate for repair was $553 to repair the electrical components damaged by the moisture, and the vehicle would then have to be taken to a glass shop to have the windshield re-sealed. The work was declined, and I contacted ford customer service explaining that as this was a safety related issue, known to both dealerships, I felt they should absorb some of the expense of making vehicle drivable during any weather condition. Request was denied. My contention is that since driving in a rainstorm without wipers and an erratic electrical system, and since both dealerships were acquainted with the condition, there should have been a voluntary recall, or at the very least, a tsb advising owners of the potential problem.

Filed Jan 23, 2007 · Body, Electrical · 24,490 miles · MI

Water intrusion from leaking windshield caused gem module /fuse block corrosion. Windshield wipers inoperable and electric windows inoperable with no interior lights working.

Filed Nov 16, 2006 · Electrical · 63,000 miles · OR

Wipers and radio work only when in park. Lights remain on even when in off position. Vehicle will sporadically not start. Problem started in the fall of 05 and persisted until summer 06, at which time all symptoms disappeared. Now in the fall of 06, all symptoms have returned.