Help needed Front Electronic Module FEM 2002-2005

[PLE999]

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

View attachment 32047

View attachment 32048

Everything else is working. Any chance is it just the wiper motor, itself? I found a new one on Ebay for $43. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1742741627...pid=5338236430&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[budroosker]

FYI, used the link for the refurbish on eBay https://ebay.us/iBkiek for the FEM for my 2002 (171,000 miles) worked like a charm. Solved my following problems.

Headlights would completely turn off by themselves
Windshield Wiper settings all out of wack Low was off, intermittent was high, Off was intermittent. Wipers would turn on by themselves randomly
Driver window would sometimes not go up
Horn would not work intermittently, Horn would not sound when hitting the door lock button on remote twice
Power Steering not there (mentioned in this thread)

 

[Tman47]

2005 TB drivers window will not lower when opening and closing the door

 

[doug7740]

The driver’s side window not dropping when the door is open is one of the most common problems caused by a defective F.E.M. Check for faults stored in all of the control modules before condemning the FEM.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[PeepPeep!]

Hi there!

I am in the process of removing my FEM for reprogramming, I disconnected the battery in the trunk and got all the plastic trims out of the way -- but I cannot remove this weird black plastic piece I don't know the name for that has wires going into it? How do I take this off so I can get into the Front End Module? I need to get this FEM out of my car to ship it out by tomorrow since I'll be on vacation 10 days and have time to wait for it to be repaired. Please help! The piece I need to take off to access the bolts is in the red circle. 😭

 

[PeepPeep!]

Figured it out, it is just a simple cable retainer. It just slides over the top of a bolt to hold the harness in place. To remove it, I just pulled it straight up and off the stud it's attached to.

The FEM is officially out of the car! Now off to be reprogrammed so I can have working dashboard backlighting! 🙂

 

[Tman47]

49,000 miles , the door will not shut , problem is the door lock is in the lock position while door is open , this is what happen yesterday ,
While entering the car , the alarm sounded for a second , started the car , no power steering , drove the car home with no power steering, a short distance , couple blocks away . Park car , had to turn off radio manually, door would not shut . Open passenger door to look at the lock position, then the passenger door would not close ,

This is what has been done so far , change battery in the remote , calibrated the windows , grease door latch , changed car battery . The dealer nor I can figure this out , hopefully someone can help

 

[jpbb1972]

My 2003 T-Bird, after turning it off, keeps the right-side marker (orange) light on, then shuts off after 20 minutes with the "timeout."

I've checked all the relays under the hood and they are all good. I'm not sure what to check next. Note that this is ONLY the right-side marker light, the left-side turns off with the car as one would expect. There's no battery drain. I'm only concerned that it's indicative of some larger issue.

Related:
My 2003, when turned off, has the interior lights come on (including the lights on the mirror), but they stay on until the 20-minute "timeout." I found a temporary solution: On the dashboard brightness dial (by the driver's left knee) if I turn the dashboard brightness to less than "full" the interior lights turn off as expected.

However, if I put the dashboard lights to full brightness, this issue of staying on for 20 minutes occurs.
Any suggestions? Is this normal for the car?

 

[jpbb1972]

My 2003 T-Bird, after turning it off, keeps the right-side marker (orange) light on, then shuts off after 20 minutes with the "timeout."

I've checked all the relays under the hood and they are all good. I'm not sure what to check next. Note that this is ONLY the right-side marker light, the left-side turns off with the car as one would expect. There's no battery drain. I'm only concerned that it's indicative of some larger issue.

Related:
My 2003, when turned off, has the interior lights come on (including the lights on the mirror), but they stay on until the 20-minute "timeout." I found a temporary solution: On the dashboard brightness dial (by the driver's left knee) if I turn the dashboard brightness to less than "full" the interior lights turn off as expected.

However, if I put the dashboard lights to full brightness, this issue of staying on for 20 minutes occurs.
Any suggestions? Is this normal for the car?

I sent in my FEM about a year ago and the place I sent it to (can't recall who, but they were recommended from here) said "there's nothing to rebuild - it's fine" and sent it back to me.

 

[3rd Bird 03]

On my 2003 T-Bird during the Daytime the Speedometer is very dark. Is there a Fuse or Lightbulb that needs to be replaced? Thanks in advance.

 

[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.

UPDATE Feb 2025 - Removed the FEM and then sent to automotivemodules.com for repair / rebuild. Once returned EVERY ISSUE was resolved!!!
Cost for the repair was under $250...I am amazed.

 

[biddle]

Looking for comments on this double din : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D1BGXBG4/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

Pro's: Price, QLED screen, a real knob for selections, plugs for USB & micro card in the front.

Con's: ?

The Bird only gets, maybe, 3k miles a year so it makes no sense to spend $350+; I mostly only listen to AM; I don't care about Android Auto; I hardly ever talk on the cell phone in the car; no interest in backup camera or steering wheel controls.

Looking at this Dash Kit surround vendor.

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Lincoln LS Ford Thunderbird Dash Kit Dbl | eBay

2002-05 THUNDERBIRD. 1999-06 LS. • Precise Contour to Match Factory Dashboard. Compatibility List.

www.ebay.com

Still working on the plugs.

Thanks

There are tons of those off brand radios. Read the reviews on Amazon. To each his own.