1998 Ranger XLT GEM Failure?

[ranger42WVA]

Having parasitic battery drain; traced to fuse #25 in the interior fuse panel. This is the GEM and instrument cluster fuse. Noting from other postings that the GEM is the likely suspect, is there a definitive test to confirm? As no new GEM is available, only used ($) or remanufactured ($$), I would like to pin down the problem before selecting which option to go with. Would appreciate suggestion on whether to go "used" or "remanufactured;" based on experience of other owners. Could there be any other component I need to identify as the parasitic draw? I have not extracted the GEM yet, but per You Tube video it seems straightforward. I would remove in order to insure proper model/ID.

 

[SenorNoob]

Guessing you're aware that the GEM stays active for some time after ignition off. (I wanna say it's a number of minutes.)

I suppose relevant question would be how much drain do you have?

 

[Mechrick]

This is typically caused by a flaky switch input to the GEM, like the door latch switches, door lock switches or window switches. Also check interior lights, especially illuminated visors/wiring.

 

[ranger42WVA]

Guessing you're aware that the GEM stays active for some time after ignition off. (I wanna say it's a number of minutes.)

I suppose relevant question would be how much drain do you have?

I am confused; not adept at electrical circuitry/diagnosis. Vehicle is running fine; no glitches. A bad GEM, from reading other contributor's posts, usually gives problems in running or instruments acting weird. I get a current draw reading of .027 when multimeter is on the 2A setting. So that means I'm seeing 27 milliamps, right? YouTube videos on this subject says acceptable "sleep" draw is 50 ma or less. If so, and I'm reading 27ma, then it would seem I'm "OK" or the draw is something else (need to do more testing) other than the circuitry that includes the GEM. And the first assessment of showing no draw when interior fuse box fuse #25 was pulled was misleading? Oh, and yes, all testing was done after vehicle was dormant for over three hours.

 

[Mechrick]

27 mA is not excessive. Battery going dead? If so, chances are your parasitic drain is intermittent.

The problem is the GEM is the power manager for quite a few circuits in the vehicle. Typically interior lights, power windows, power door locks, 4x4, power mirrors, etc.

Of the known issues I've seen are:

Illuminated visors

Power door lock switches (Ford used the old switches designed for full current which can have issues driving the input to the GEM)

Power window switches (same as above)

Door latch switches (these fill full of dirt and intermittently keep the dome lamps on)

The radio is the device that causes parasitic drain the most often in my experience.

 

[ranger42WVA]

27 mA is not excessive. Battery going dead? If so, chances are your parasitic drain is intermittent.

The problem is the GEM is the power manager for quite a few circuits in the vehicle. Typically interior lights, power windows, power door locks, 4x4, power mirrors, etc.

Of the known issues I've seen are:

Illuminated visors

Power door lock switches (Ford used the old switches designed for full current which can have issues driving the input to the GEM)

Power window switches (same as above)

Door latch switches (these fill full of dirt and intermittently keep the dome lamps on)

The radio is the device that causes parasitic drain the most often in my experience.

Mine is a 1998 "barebones" XLT ; no illuminated visors, no power locks, no power windows. Mostly, the past 10+ years barely driven; a "garage" queen (<75K miles). So I will have to look at the door latch switch though I "think" it should be quite clean. Can it be cleaned without removing the door card? The radio does have a clock, but I have never noticed it being on when the vehicle is parked/off. Is there anything specific about the radio that comes to mind to suspect? Or just the unit as a whole? Will do some more studying on that. Thanks for taking the time to respond and making helpful suggestions.