Help needed Front Electronic Module FEM 2002-2005

[biddle]

it seems all connected: the windows wont drop and rise when opening/closing the doors anymore. at first sometimes they would sometimes they wouldn't which is strange .now they dont at all. the horn stopped blowing and then started again, then stopped again. the steering wheel can rise & lower, come toward you but not go back in. the driver side window wont lower even when pushing the button now.. im not going to attempt lowering the ragtop anymore in fear it wont come back up, it was stopping last time i did. The last mechanic i took it to said hydraulic fluid and other fluids were fine. other than that no mechanic wants to touch it, say it would take too many hours to find a diagnosis but they are honest they arent familiar with working on these at all. even at the ford dealership they said their mechanics have no knowledge of these and are only trained on vehicles 2012 and up.

I merged your post with and existing topic that already answers your question. Start reading on page 1.

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Link to rebuild- https://ebay.us/iBkiek

Help needed Front Electronic Module FEM 2002-2005

My lights went off and my drivers window would not go down. The radio would not turn off when the door was opened and the windows do not drop. this happened twice in two days. I am sure it is the front electronic module. Anyone know what to do and where to take it? MODERATOR NOTE 2020- We've...

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[edward301]

Did you ever figure out what component failed that caused the dash lights not to work?

No I did not, I did not want to mess up the FEM circuit board, so I sent off for repair, and was quickly repaired, reinstalled
and has worked great for two years plus.

 

[Quigley]

Hello, Sure would appreciate some advice concerning FEM / REM issues. The problem that has appeared on my 2005 T Bird started with the turn signals not working , and the left signal only works in the right position when the parking lights are on ? Also today the headlights came on by themself while sitting with the car off for a Day . Also notice that the four way flashers are also not working. The car just turned 26,000 miles, Thank you for your Help.

 

[doug7740]

Some of the most common problems caused by a defective F.E.M. are:

• Dash illumination problems (No dash light, no shifter light)
• Head lights not working: Head lights will not turned on
• Front turn signal problems
• Driver’s side window does not drop when the door is open
• No wipers, no Horn. The oil light is on
• The convertible top is not working properly
• Problems with battery drain
• Power Steering is stiff (Code - C1925)
• Shift interlock malfunction

Some of the most common problems caused by a defective R.E.M. are:

• Door locks inoperable
• Convertible top lower/raise
• Fuel pump power control, and level signal & sender signal detection
• Rear stop and turn signals are inoperable
• Rear parking lights are inoperable
• Passenger side window concerns
• High mounted stop lamp is inoperable
• Rear left and right side lights are inoperable
• Fuel pump primary circuit fault (Code - P1237)

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[cedarbird2]

Replace the FME module and the battery. All – warning lights flash on and off gauges flash, operating in a non-operating like every 10 seconds. What should I look for? How do I correct it?

 

[doug7740]

Since you had the FEM disconnected, are all of the FEM connectors fully seated in the FEM? If so, start by checking the fuses to make sure that when you replaced the FEM that it didn't cause an open circuit across one of the fuses. Remember, there are 3 fuse boxes in the car, one near the battery by the spare tire, one under the right kick panel inside the car and one under the hood. Next, using a scan tool, not just an OBD code reader, check for faults stored in all control modules. Fault codes might help you determine the cause of your warning lights and gauge concerns. Note any DTCs and freeze frame data that are stored before clearing the fault codes. After clearing the fault codes do the warning lights and gauges operate normally? After clearing the fault codes do any fault codes return?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[jamel95]

Doing an update check: Who do you recommend for FEM repair? Mine seems to be on the fritz but differently than many others. I lose speedometer, power steering boost, get faults for ABS and brake function. I can drive the car and when I turn off / turn back on the faults have gone away. Only to return again. I replaced the 7 year old battery in case that was the culprit, but the faults came back. I have not run codes because it doesn't seem likely that all the codes would throw at once and they go away. Any thoughts before I pull out the FEM? thanks in advance.

Moderator Note: This is already posted.

Get it rebuilt here- https://ebay.us/iBkiek which currently has 4.9 stars and 2,324 Google reviews on Google.

Link to rebuild- https://ebay.us/iBkiek

 

[doug7740]

The REM receives inputs from the FEM and delivers outputs to a majority of the electronically controlled features which reside primarily in the rear of the vehicle, including the RH power window. Since when you pull the fuse the passenger side window will work normally, that tells me that the problem is most likely with the FEM or the REM. Have you checked for fault codes in the FEM or the REM? Does the passenger window not operate with either window switch?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[JoseG]

A couple of videos that might help someone.

 

[Onpaper]

The driver door window is currently not working at all. Passenger side is working fine. This has been progressively getting worse. On occasion, the window will not move the small space to allow it to get past the top when the door is opened or closed. Yesterday, the window would not work at all but started working after I rolled the passenger side down and back up. Today it will not work at all. I have checked the appropriate fuses and they look okay but I have not actually tested them yet. It seems odd to me that it would work sometimes if the fuse is the problem. Looking for suggestions as I continue to look into this. About a month ago, the convertible top would not close but started working a while later. I am assuming there is a short somewhere but I am not sure where to start looking. Thanks

 

[biddle]

The driver door window is currently not working at all. Passenger side is working fine. This has been progressively getting worse. On occasion, the window will not move the small space to allow it to get past the top when the door is opened or closed. Yesterday, the window would not work at all but started working after I rolled the passenger side down and back up. Today it will not work at all. I have checked the appropriate fuses and they look okay but I have not actually tested them yet. It seems odd to me that it would work sometimes if the fuse is the problem. Looking for suggestions as I continue to look into this. About a month ago, the convertible top would not close but started working a while later. I am assuming there is a short somewhere but I am not sure where to start looking. Thanks

If the problem is your FEM, get it rebuilt here- https://ebay.us/iBkiek
which currently has 4.9 stars and 2,324 Google reviews on Google.

Link to rebuild- https://ebay.us/iBkiek

 

[dr1960]

Steering is stiff on my 2004 T-bird. Took it to a dealership and they replaced the steering pump, said it was weak. No help, still stiff.

 

[biddle]

Steering is stiff on my 2004 T-bird. Took it to a dealership and they replaced the steering pump, said it was weak. No help, still stiff.

See this post- Post in thread 'Help needed Front Electronic Module FEM 2002-2005' https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...ectronic-module-fem-2002-2005.5560/post-35306

 

[PLE999]

My wife has been complaining that the squirters and wipers won't work. Every time I try, they work fine. Yesterday, I tried them while driving up I-95: neither worked. I left the switch on and a few minutes later the wipers came on and the squirters worked! Today, she was caught in the rain, and they didn't work.

What should I check besides the fuse?

 

[doug7740]

Since you stated that at times the wipers and the washers do not work, I would start by checking the power and ground circuits for the windshield wiper motor, the windshield washer motor and the multifunction switch.

Power is supplied to the wiper motor from the 30 amp fuse (F1. 24) in the Auxiliary Junction Box under the hood and the 3 amp fuse (F2. 26) in the Central Junction Box in the passenger compartment kick panel.

Ground point G203, is located below the right side of the dash panel, ground point G202, is located at the left A-pillar and ground point G101, is located at the left front of the engine compartment.

Inside the wiper motor is a microprocessor, along with the wiper and washer relays. There are pinpoint tests that can be performed to determine if the wiper motor or the multifunction switch is defective.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird blue

 

[edsweetwood]

Well my well cared for 38K bird has developed intermittent electrical issues. They come...they go...just like that.
Here is what fails ......and now this stuff fails more than works-

• Drivers Window quits (passenger never fails)
• Horn
• Headlights
• Auto window lower/raise when door opens
• Wipers
• Radio does not shut off with car
  • Must manually turn off radio after car is shut off
• Remote trunk release (inside car on drivers door)
• False door ajar light on dash
  • sometimes with Claxton (chime)
  • When Claxton sounds….. after turning off car - I disconnect/reconnect battery and this stops that sound for next drive cycle
• False low oil warning light on dash
  • Oil level is fine
  • Newest item - Power top not operating when having "issues"
    • In down position

With all this ….the car ignition system works and car drives fine.
Then like magic...everything begins working again....all of it kind of at once.
Front Electronic Module or perhaps a Ground???? Any Insight out there?
Dealer is no help here...says have no expertise or any parts. Appreciate any advise beyond selling the car. Want to get this fixed.

 

[biddle]

Well my well cared for 38K bird has developed intermittent electrical issues. They come...they go...just like that.
Here is what fails ......and now this stuff fails more than works-

• Drivers Window quits (passenger never fails)
• Horn
• Headlights
• Auto window lower/raise when door opens
• Wipers
• Radio does not shut off with car
  • Must manually turn off radio after car is shut off
• Remote trunk release (inside car on drivers door)
• False door ajar light on dash
  • sometimes with Claxton (chime)
  • When Claxton sounds….. after turning off car - I disconnect/reconnect battery and this stops that sound for next drive cycle
• False low oil warning light on dash
  • Oil level is fine
  • Newest item - Power top not operating when having "issues"
    • In down position

With all this ….the car ignition system works and car drives fine.
Then like magic...everything begins working again....all of it kind of at once.
Front Electronic Module or perhaps a Ground???? Any Insight out there?
Dealer is no help here...says have no expertise or any parts. Appreciate any advise beyond selling the car. Want to get this fixed.

All of this is answered in this thread already. Start reading on post one.

Thread 'Help needed Front Electronic Module FEM 2002-2005'

Oct 3, 2017

My lights went off and my drivers window would not go down. The radio would not turn off when the door was opened and the windows do not drop. this happened twice in two days.

I am sure it is the front electronic module. Anyone know what to do and where to take it?


MODERATOR NOTE 2020- We've found a direct source for the FEM's!
You can now purchase a remanufactured FEM directly from a Ford dealer with a 2 year warranty! These FEM’s we are remanufactured by Ford and are covered by the nationwide Ford warranty for 2 years/unlimited mileage. The part numbers listed below are all...

• Gus Gutz
• 2002 2003 2004 2005 circuit cranks but won't start dash died dead car dtc electrical problems fem fem electronic module front electronic control module fuse help horn instrument cluster kick panel lighting problems radio quit short window
• Replies: 70
• Forum: 2002 - 2005 Retro Ford Thunderbird

• 

 

[jazz]

Hello! Bought a yellow 2002 thunderbird a couple of months ago and couldn't be happier. I've never been a "car guy" but I've been trying to fix some minor issues myself. So far so good, except the horn doesn't work. It's not just from the steering wheel but it doesn't sound when I lock the car, so I figured it was electrical. I check the front fuse box and a-ha, the fuse for the horn was blown. So I replaced it, and... nothing. Next, I went to the relay - it must be the relay. I replaced that and, again, nothing (I ended up putting the original relay back in because it seems fine).

When I have the hood open and I lock the car repeatedly I hear an extra little click by the fuse box, so there's some sort of communication happening there. My next place to check, I believe, is the horn itself, but I wanted to post on here first and see if anyone had any advice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[doug7740]

When the horn switch is pressed, a message is sent from the instrument cluster via the network communication link to the FEM. The FEM receives the message and energizes the horn relay by grounding the horn relay coil, allowing the dual note horn to sound.

You stated that you found a blown fuse, was it fuse #4 in the under hood auxiliary junction box or fuse #10 in the central junction box behind the right kick panel? Did you check for stored faults in the instrument cluster or the FEM?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[MPGollotto]

Directional lights are not working, they suddenly stopped. Earlier symptoms was the right direction was intermittent when moving switch to the right and had to hold it up as if a bad contact. Left directional always worked no problem when moving lever downward. Now nothing works. Changed out the Multifunction switch and it did not fix the problem. Do not know where the directional relay is located so I haven't changed it yet. Does anyone know where the relay is located, amd is there a scematic somewhere so I can find the wire trail. Emergency Flasher does not work either so I am leaning toward the relay if I can find it.

Appreciate any info.

Mike G.