when installing a radio my wipers and power windows stopped working...I read other posts checked all my fuzes and just replaced my GEM module 20 minutes ago and my power windows and wipers still don't work! What am I missing? I fried something but cannot figure it out. Could it be the GEM still, and the one I got off of ebay is bad? how do I test my GEM? btw it is a 2001 ranger xlt 4.0L with 4x4 if anyone wants to take it off my hands cause I'm about to give up on this thing. Thanks for your time.

 

Welcome to the forum

Wipers and washer not working can for sure be GEM issue, wiper/washer uses fuse 16, 30amp in cab fuse box
Windows can be as well, does passenger side work using passenger side button, it doesn't go thru GEM?
Window fuse is in Engine bay fuse box, #12 20amp
But power to the windows is activated by GEM via battery saver relay and accessory relay


GEM fuses are in Cab fuse box, 11, 20, and 26, don't just "look" at a fuse, pull it out and if possible test it with OHM meter or swap it with another fuse of the same AMP rating

Any GEM module should work as far as the wipers, but windows are GEM specific, not all Rangers had Power windows


Any reason you think the GEM got messed up when installing the Radio???
Its in the same cavity but no reason it would be damaged by removing and installing another radio

Do you think there was a short or some reason you didn't mention

There is a relay box just below the GEM, above gas pedal area, that has power window relays in it

 

I was having trouble with the radio working intermitenly but that could be due to it being a brandless chinease one lol. and when I pulled it out i accidentally touched the ground wire for the radio to the power wire and shorted it but everything still worked until a buddy did it again when we were working on the radio and that's when things stopped working. It ended up being a fuze and i taped the wires off and far from each other so they would not short again but some how popped the fuze again and when i replaced it all this stuff wasn't working. I was suspecting the GEM as the dome light wouldn't turn off and the intermittent radio but i guess its not that lol. I will triple check all of those fuses tomorrow but I already checked them multiple times. as for the #12 in the engine bay I noticed it was burnt out yesterday and replaced it so that cant be the issue. i don't know how to check if a relay is good and was debating replacing all the relays in the engine bay that were marked for windows or wipers (45 a and b and 46 b) but I would rather not replace them if there is a way for me to test if they are any good. Thanks for your help.

 

I doubt its a relay issue

You really NEED to disconnect 1 battery cable when working on any vehicle, even if its not electrical work, but especially if it is
But now you know why, Lecture over, but hopefully this situation will be a reminder, "we learn more from our mistakes that we do from our success's"

A fuse blows because it gets too HOT, the fuse is rated at a lower AMP(heat level) that the wire protected by that fuse
BUT......the wire also HEATS UP just before fuse blows, and any connections/devices on that wire AND fuse holder also heat up

So when a wire shorts out a few times other damage can occur prior to fuse blowing
Unhook battery cable, either one doesn't matter
Pull out the radio again
Disconnect GEM wiring, inspect connectors and pins for any heat damage, discoloration

You are going to need a volt/ohm meter or 12v test light, meter is better

Basic GEM wiring diagram below
Yours will probably have 3 or 4 connectors since its a 4x4 model
But these shown connectors/wires are the ones you need to test
The 3 wires that power the GEM, the 12v wires

After every thing is disconnected hook battery back up and hope for no shorts, lol
Then test the 3 wires, one will be powered all the time, the other 2 need the key on/engine off

 

Ok so i wasnt able to test if I was getting power to the gem as the pointed ends on my multimeter are broken off (its pretty old lol) but I was messing around with 45a and 45b relays in the engine bay fuse panel and I am not getting any power to those relays if that means anything they are both for the wiper blades.

 

Wiper relays should show 12volts on TWO slots in each one WITH key on, nothing to do with GEM, all 4 of the 12v slots get the 12v from fuse 16 in cab fuse box
So with key on test fuse 16 in cab fuse box, one "leg" of the fuse holder should show 12v
Also check fuse 20 in cab fuse box if fuse 16 has no 12v
If both 16 and 20 do not have 12v with key on then its an ignition switch issue, 20 is also powering GEM