1995 Ford Ranger My truck is haunted.

Tiny
WAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD RANGER
Electrical problem
1995 Ford Ranger 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 108k miles

After my truck reached 75k miles the following problems began and I have no idea what's causing it:
1) I would be normally driving and for no reason, the wipers would suddendly some on (on high) and the wiper fluid would spray until tank was empty. I would have to pull over, turn the truck off and restart to be able get it to return to normal operation.
2) I would be normally driving and for no reason, my dome-light would come on and the door-chime with the key-in-igition alarm would continuously sound. Nothing would stop this including:
- Stopping the engine.
- Removing the key from ignition.
- Opening and shutting the doors.

It would do this until the battery would be completely drained. It stranded me several times. My only solution would be to pop-the-hood and pull the neg-battery cable.

I have asked two mechanics and neither had any idea what was causing this. They guessed it was some computer or electrical problem.

Please help, I am ata aloss!
Wage
Monday, March 22nd, 2010 AT 4:55 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
It is definitly electrical.I would start by closely inspecting the wiring at the steering column. If the key warning buzzer and wipers (All column mounted accessories) are going crazy, you may have short in the column area that is causing this. Or it could be the GEM module, which controls almost everything electrical in the vehicle and are prone to issues like this. Check wiring first, but it may just be the GEM module
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
WAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I will follow your advice and see what I come up with.
Any idea where I might find a new GEM module?
I don't think autozone or the ikes will stock something like that. Would they?

Thanks again!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
I dont think so, usually a dealer item.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 12:55 PM
Tiny
WAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks again for your help.
I have stumble upon hundred of sites with people having the same-exact problem!
Replacing the GEM module and spraying-the-heck out of the door latch with WD40 seems to be the common fix.

Ford should have recalled this with the intermitten wiper issue.

It's been a nice truck besides it being posessed by this demon! Reminds me of that movie Christine!
LOL
Thanks again!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
WAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
BTW I called the local dealership and that part runs about $250 and they can order it and have it in pretty-much next day!

Just in case anyone else is looking up this problem!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If it were Toyota it would be all over the news. LOL there are soooo many issues with domestic vehicles the public never learns about
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
WAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yeah I agree about the Toyota bandwagon.

Shakespeare said it best in Hamlet.
"The Lady doth protest too much!"
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
2 LINSEY
  • MECHANIC
  • 287 POSTS
Thank you for using 2CarPros. Com. We appreciate your donation and look forward to helping you in the future.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 1:58 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links