New Battery Dead after 10 days....

snipercop · **New Battery Dead after 10 days....**

I am looking at a constant 150MA drain on my battery.. Pulled the Maxi Fuse #6 and drain went away. Discovered that Maxi 6 under the hood fed the number 39 Fuse which is the GEM (Generic Electronics Module).... Replaced Maxi 6 and pulled fuse 39 - No Drain!!! Does this definitely mean that the GEM is bad or could it be something that runs off the GEM causing the drain? I have tested the new and old battery, alternator, starter and all other major components.. There are no courtesy lights staying on.... have disconnected the amps in the Mach460.... Still have drain on #39 5AMP GEM fuse. If anyone has any info or solutions regarding this please let me know. This seems to be a fairly common Ford issue but it's driving me nuts.

I contacted the local dealership and they are talking $750-$1000 if this is the problem... $500 for the new module plus installation and programming. After locating the module - there is no way in hell I am going to try and remove it and replace it myself..That sucks!

**OsirisGuy** · **Re: New Battery Dead after 10 days....**

I can't say I know where the GEM is, but you'll have to test all the components of it first. If no components are causing this drain then it is probably likely the GEM.

snipercop · **Re: New Battery Dead after 10 days....**

I am hoping I don't have to yank that module out of there... The GEM controls so many different things it may take forever to find....
From what I can see, the I/P 40 (#6 maxi) amp fuse powers other fuses.
1 20 amp--------Lighter
7 15 amp--------Main light switch, Generic Electronic module
13 15 amp--------Electronic flasher
19 15 amp--------Park lamp relay,Exterior rear view mirror switch, Master window/door lock control switch, Right window/door lock
25 25 amp--------Luggage compartment light
31 10 amp--------Data Link
39 5 amp --------GEM

So it looks like Fuses 1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31, and 39 get their power from your #6 maxi 40 but the only one that stops the drain is the removal of #39... UGH... Why can't it be something easy like the electronic flasher?

**OsirisGuy** · **Re: New Battery Dead after 10 days....**

Try some other fuses. I'm thinking that it may not be the GEM but something off of it. Instead of cutting off the electricity at the problem you are disconnecting it before hand and thus not actually finding the real source.

It's only a theory. Have you check something like the trunk light? If the trunk isn't closing right, say because of some cargo netting it will stay on and drain the battery.

LuminaV2 · **Re: New Battery Dead after 10 days....**

^ In addition to previous posts... Are you sure about your alternator?

I know I had a problem with mine, ended up killing a battery, getting a new one and killing that one real quick. Maybe its running, but just barely? This wasn't on a Mustang, but I know O'Reilys will test 'em. Like a 200 dollar part, and I'm sure any person semi-car knowledgable can replace it, as I did it in a parking lot with minimal tools.

**hottcobra** · **Re: New Battery Dead after 10 days....**

I have fixed many parasitic draws. First thing, how long are you letting the car sit before you check the draw? The car should sit for at least 20 mins. before testing to let a modules go into sleep mode. next how are you testing it with your multi. meter? you should be using a batt. disconnect with the multi meter on each side, so when you disconnect the batt. it's already flowing through the meter. If the modules loose batt. voltage if will wake the modules.

If you are already doing all this. You are on your way to fixing the problem. Now that you know what module is causing the problem. You need to find out what all the module controls. A lot of time it's not the module that is bad, but something that it controls is bad. It could be something as simple as a ground wire that is shorted to ground, so the feature still works, but it is really broken but you don't know it.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Louis

snipercop · **Re: New Battery Dead after 10 days....**


Quote: Originally Posted by hottcobra I have fixed many parasitic draws. First thing, how long are you letting the car sit before you check the draw? The car should sit for at least 20 mins. before testing to let a modules go into sleep mode. next how are you testing it with your multi. meter? you should be using a batt. disconnect with the multi meter on each side, so when you disconnect the batt. it's already flowing through the meter. If the modules loose batt. voltage if will wake the modules. If you are already doing all this. You are on your way to fixing the problem. Now that you know what module is causing the problem. You need to find out what all the module controls. A lot of time it's not the module that is bad, but something that it controls is bad. It could be something as simple as a ground wire that is shorted to ground, so the feature still works, but it is really broken but you don't know it. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Louis

Thanks for the vote of confidence.. That is exactly the way I have been testing it... I have a lock actuator on the passenger side that is not working.. I can hear it trying to work and am hoping that it may be the source of the problem... Going to check this out the next time I get a chance. Right now, I have it on a Battery Tender keeping it up. Hopefully, I can figure this out soon.. It is starting to tick me off... Definitely coming from the GEM module fuse.. Hope that doesn't need replacing as it appears to be a bear to get to - not to mention the fact that the dealership wants $440 for the part plus programming.. UGH...