Electrical gremlin, trying to identify if GEM or not.

[BriceRanger]

I have a lovely low miles '97 4L 4x4 that has intermittently functioning wipers/washer. I've replaced the multifunction switch to no avail. What I've noticed is that the wipers and washer either both work or neither. I also noticed that when I sit in the truck unbuckled, the dash seatbelt warning doesn't always come on, when it does, the wipers work and vice versa.
I pulled the gem out and inspected it, I didn't notice any obvious corrosion or damage. Any ideas?

 

[Brain75]

I read another thread somewhere on here that bad ground on GEM had a lot of those same symptoms...

 

[BriceRanger]

I read another thread somewhere on here that bad ground on GEM had a lot of those same symptoms...

I'll take a look at that next then. I haven't found a good diagram for the GEM on one of these, so if anyone could point me to one, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BriceRanger]

After carefully examining the GEM, I'm not seeing an obvious ground. Any ideas or photos that could point me towards that connection? Thank you!

 

[Brain75]

One of the pins on the GEM goes to a ground nearby, so the wire joins the harness and then leaves it after 6" (that 6" is a guess, I have a 2nd gen not a 3rd gen and haven't really dug behind the radio area in a 3rd gen)... look for the wire that is completely black, no stripe just plain black - that is typically ground everywhere.

I found this diagram for a '97 explorer... I think the 94-97 explorer is the same as the 93-97 ranger ... pin 14 and the shell of the connector:

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/attachments/gemb1997-jpg.83442/

and if I read it right that is black/white stripe not solid black....

 

[SenorNoob]

An EVTM would be best, but you might look at this:
Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

 

[BriceRanger]

An EVTM would be best, but you might look at this:
Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Thank you for this, I have been looking for something like this for awhile now.

One of the pins on the GEM goes to a ground nearby, so the wire joins the harness and then leaves it after 6" (that 6" is a guess, I have a 2nd gen not a 3rd gen and haven't really dug behind the radio area in a 3rd gen)... look for the wire that is completely black, no stripe just plain black - that is typically ground everywhere.

I found this diagram for a '97 explorer... I think the 94-97 explorer is the same as the 93-97 ranger ... pin 14 and the shell of the connector:

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/attachments/gemb1997-jpg.83442/

and if I read it right that is black/white stripe not solid black....

I think I ID'd the correct wires based on this.

In any case, I reseated all the connections for a second time, and the machine seems to be working perfectly now, with no more issues observed. Thank you all for all of your help!

 

[SenorNoob]

Congrats on getting it fixed. I know exactly how aggravating an intermittent electrical issue is.