1999 Ford Ranger 3.0L 5 speed Electrical issues
#1
1999 Ford Ranger 3.0L 5 speed Electrical issues
Hey everyone. Lookin for some insight on the issue i am having. My ranger's abs light comes on and off, and the speedometer will spike up and down when driving. Then it almost "bucks" like its dying out for a split second then comes back on. I put a new wheel speed sensor on a while ago, so im not sure where to start.
#2
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
1999 Ranger has an ABS sensor on the rear axle differential, is this the one you changed?
From 1998 to 2000 Ford used this ABS sensor for the speedometer and computer speed signal
Its 2 wires run to ABS module but are spliced into and run to the GEM module behind the radio
The GEM module converts the ABS sensor signal to a speedometer signal, and then it goes out to the speedometer, computer and cruise, if so equipped
The Rear ABS sensor was a common failure in these years
And if its failing ABS light will come on and speedometer will be erratic
From 1998 to 2000 Ford used this ABS sensor for the speedometer and computer speed signal
Its 2 wires run to ABS module but are spliced into and run to the GEM module behind the radio
The GEM module converts the ABS sensor signal to a speedometer signal, and then it goes out to the speedometer, computer and cruise, if so equipped
The Rear ABS sensor was a common failure in these years
And if its failing ABS light will come on and speedometer will be erratic
#3
1999 Ranger has an ABS sensor on the rear axle differential, is this the one you changed?
From 1998 to 2000 Ford used this ABS sensor for the speedometer and computer speed signal
Its 2 wires run to ABS module but are spliced into and run to the GEM module behind the radio
The GEM module converts the ABS sensor signal to a speedometer signal, and then it goes out to the speedometer, computer and cruise, if so equipped
The Rear ABS sensor was a common failure in these years
And if its failing ABS light will come on and speedometer will be erratic
From 1998 to 2000 Ford used this ABS sensor for the speedometer and computer speed signal
Its 2 wires run to ABS module but are spliced into and run to the GEM module behind the radio
The GEM module converts the ABS sensor signal to a speedometer signal, and then it goes out to the speedometer, computer and cruise, if so equipped
The Rear ABS sensor was a common failure in these years
And if its failing ABS light will come on and speedometer will be erratic
#4
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Yes, you had a short at the GEM module, behind the radio, you will have to pull out radio and have a look
This was probably draining the battery.
But a low or weak battery wouldn't be the cause, it would be the result of a short.
My guess is that the GEM module will be damaged, as said the Rear ABS sensor wires are connected to both the ABS Module and the GEM
These 2 wires would have to be shorted at/in the GEM for it to effect ABS module
This shouldn't effect the engine though, GEM or ABS has nothing to do with engine "bucking", so there is more to this electrical issue
This was probably draining the battery.
But a low or weak battery wouldn't be the cause, it would be the result of a short.
My guess is that the GEM module will be damaged, as said the Rear ABS sensor wires are connected to both the ABS Module and the GEM
These 2 wires would have to be shorted at/in the GEM for it to effect ABS module
This shouldn't effect the engine though, GEM or ABS has nothing to do with engine "bucking", so there is more to this electrical issue
#5
Yes, you had a short at the GEM module, behind the radio, you will have to pull out radio and have a look
This was probably draining the battery.
But a low or weak battery wouldn't be the cause, it would be the result of a short.
My guess is that the GEM module will be damaged, as said the Rear ABS sensor wires are connected to both the ABS Module and the GEM
These 2 wires would have to be shorted at/in the GEM for it to effect ABS module
This shouldn't effect the engine though, GEM or ABS has nothing to do with engine "bucking", so there is more to this electrical issue
This was probably draining the battery.
But a low or weak battery wouldn't be the cause, it would be the result of a short.
My guess is that the GEM module will be damaged, as said the Rear ABS sensor wires are connected to both the ABS Module and the GEM
These 2 wires would have to be shorted at/in the GEM for it to effect ABS module
This shouldn't effect the engine though, GEM or ABS has nothing to do with engine "bucking", so there is more to this electrical issue
#6
Update
So it died on me again and i jumped it to get home, abs on and spedo erratic. As im charging it at home i key on, and the pcm relay is buzzing. I leave it alone for a bit, tossed in my new GEM, and then tried for another start. Still dead. So i go to engine start and key on, this time buzzing from the back. I go back and slide under my truck and hear buzzing from the fuel pump... to add on previous owner spliced all of the radio wires for this touch screen kenwood radio... I would greatly appriciate any tips / help.
#7
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Use a Volt meter and test Battery voltage key off
A good battery will show:
12.8v when new
12.5v when 3 years old
12.3v when 5/6 years old
12.2v or lower is a failing battery
Then test battery voltage engine running
14.5v-14.9v at startup
13.5v-13.8v after 5 minutes or longer of engine running
Alternator takes over powering all the vehicle electrics after startup, it also keeps battery charged up for next startup
If its not outputting at least 1volt above battery voltage then engine will die trying to run off battery voltage
Could just be a blown fuse, does the Battery Light come ON when key is turned on?
If it doesn't come on check fuse #15 in cab fuse box, 15amp
This is the ON/OFF switch for alternator
A good battery will show:
12.8v when new
12.5v when 3 years old
12.3v when 5/6 years old
12.2v or lower is a failing battery
Then test battery voltage engine running
14.5v-14.9v at startup
13.5v-13.8v after 5 minutes or longer of engine running
Alternator takes over powering all the vehicle electrics after startup, it also keeps battery charged up for next startup
If its not outputting at least 1volt above battery voltage then engine will die trying to run off battery voltage
Could just be a blown fuse, does the Battery Light come ON when key is turned on?
If it doesn't come on check fuse #15 in cab fuse box, 15amp
This is the ON/OFF switch for alternator
Last edited by RonD; 02-16-2019 at 11:04 AM.
#8
Use a Volt meter and test Battery voltage key off
A good battery will show:
12.8v when new
12.5v when 3 years old
12.3v when 5/6 years old
12.2v or lower is a failing battery
Then test battery voltage engine running
14.5v-14.9v at startup
13.5v-13.8v after 5 minutes or longer of engine running
Alternator takes over powering all the vehicle electrics after startup, it also keeps battery charged up for next startup
If its not outputting at least 1volt above battery voltage then engine will die trying to run off battery voltage
Could just be a blown fuse, does the Battery Light come ON when key is turned on?
If it doesn't come on check fuse #15 in cab fuse box, 15amp
This is the ON/OFF switch for alternator
A good battery will show:
12.8v when new
12.5v when 3 years old
12.3v when 5/6 years old
12.2v or lower is a failing battery
Then test battery voltage engine running
14.5v-14.9v at startup
13.5v-13.8v after 5 minutes or longer of engine running
Alternator takes over powering all the vehicle electrics after startup, it also keeps battery charged up for next startup
If its not outputting at least 1volt above battery voltage then engine will die trying to run off battery voltage
Could just be a blown fuse, does the Battery Light come ON when key is turned on?
If it doesn't come on check fuse #15 in cab fuse box, 15amp
This is the ON/OFF switch for alternator
#9
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Does Battery Light come on with the key and then go off after engine starts?
P0503 is detected by the computer having an erratic signal
And yes the GEM controls ALL cab electrics except headlights and parking lights
But ABS light means ABS module is having a problem as well, speed sensor signal for ABS doesn't come from GEM, its direct to the ABS module
Having P0503 AND ABS light would point at rear axle ABS sensor or wiring issue, not the GEM
P0503 is detected by the computer having an erratic signal
And yes the GEM controls ALL cab electrics except headlights and parking lights
But ABS light means ABS module is having a problem as well, speed sensor signal for ABS doesn't come from GEM, its direct to the ABS module
Having P0503 AND ABS light would point at rear axle ABS sensor or wiring issue, not the GEM
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