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.

 

[BillCT]

Car has been in dry storage since last fall with a battery tender on in. Yesterday I found the battery dead as a door nail. Tender was working but the battery apparently failed during the winter. I put the battery on a charger and it would not take a charge. Tried to jump start it, horn blew a few times and it finally started but ran only a very short time (rough) and then quit. Would not fire again. I installed a new battery but still won't start, not even a pop. Checked the fuel rail for pressure and found none. Checked the fuel pump fuse, good. Pulled the fuel pump relay and tested it on the bench, good. Any other ideas before I commit to replacing the darn fuel pump? It looks like a bitch to change. Just seems very strange the pump went bad because the battery died. And yes the gas tank is full.

Thanks

 

[Mrdan]

I would hit the fuel tank with a rubber mallet while someone is cranking the engine to try and free up the fuel pump, this a crap shoot but worth a try, bottom line is your probably will need to replace the fuel pump

 

[doug7740]

Car has been in dry storage since last fall with a battery tender on in. Yesterday I found the battery dead as a door nail. Tender was working but the battery apparently failed during the winter. I put the battery on a charger and it would not take a charge. Tried to jump start it, horn blew a few times and it finally started but ran only a very short time (rough) and then quit. Would not fire again. I installed a new battery but still won't start, not even a pop. Checked the fuel rail for pressure and found none. Checked the fuel pump fuse, good. Pulled the fuel pump relay and tested it on the bench, good. Any other ideas before I commit to replacing the darn fuel pump? It looks like a bitch to change. Just seems very strange the pump went bad because the battery died. And yes the gas tank is full.

Thanks

Did you check the Inertia Fuel Shutoff Switch to make sure the red button is fully depressed?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[John Arnott]

I can't get the wipers to work...How do you remove the fuse block cover in the kick panel?

 

[MontyBird]

hello, everyone I just became a brand new thunderbird owner. Should've done it a few years ago....
i've been reading here on the issue of the hard steering, and how it's linked to the module.
i'm not really that upset by it, but if I could fix it, it would be nice .
so other than fixing of the control module, would changing the fluid or adding a fluid conditioner help at all? Or is it the issue related to the control module and the amount of fluid that's being directed into the pump system? 43k km's on car

 

[doug7740]

Start by using a scan tool, not just an OBD code reader, to check for faults stored in all control modules. Fault codes might help you determine the cause of your hard steering. Is fault code C1925 stored in the Front Electronic Module?

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 turn on
• Front turn signal problems
• The 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

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[MS DAISY]

Is it just my car or does anyone else have issues with the steering on their bird, it seems that the power steering isn't working but my mechanic says its fine, if you know of any similar issues, please let me know how to repair this or what to expect

 

[cedarbird2]

Is it just my car or does anyone else have issues with the steering on their bird, it seems that the power steering isn't working but my mechanic says its fine, if you know of any similar issues, please let me know how to repair this or what to expect

Had the same happened to my 03 had the FEM rebuild and now all is back to normal