herbie the love bug meet my truck

[ckraker]

I'm going to try and share a story without sounding like a lunatic. My truck seems to have gone "love bug" loco.
2001 f250, this thing must suddenly has a mind of her own. I can pull the key out and the fan still runs, the radio won't shut off, the windows still work and the door still chimes. I have read some posts about people getting water in their GEM and having similar issues, but has anyone seen this???.... My neighbor called me this afternoon to let me know my truck was trying to start (turning over). alll alone, no key nobody around and I DO NOT HAVE a remote starter. It cranked until the batteries were dead and smoke was coming from the starter. I think I fried my starter, and don't want to put a new one in until I get this figured out. My Gem appears dry.

I recharged my batteries, and unhooked the ignition switch on the steering column and the radio clock, windows and door chimes will not shut off. (the chime will if I shut the door) Please help me fix this thing, I'm in the middle of moving to my new house and would really like my truck to be working. Thanks

[jesilvas]

Possibly chafed wires in the steering column

I made my Samsung SGH-I997 send this.

[ProOnThaSnow]

^I was going to say sounds like an ignition harness problem without being there to see what is happening - check the wiring in the column to the switch.

[ckraker]

could a bad GEM cause it to crank over on it's own?

[ckraker]

I pulled the starter and installed a new one (mine was crispy after the extended unmanned crank). I also pulled the white ignition switch under the steering column. it seemed to work okay. Then I tested the starter relay, it worked. I pulled the fuse block and GEM and they looked clean and dry. Then I pulled my ignition key cylinder apart. and noticed that the black and pink key sense wire was loose. I don't know how but I think it's contact was hitting something it should have...... Still not sure how this would cause it to crank on it's own, buy maybe one of you have a better idea.

I did have the batteries unhooked overnight so maybe it has nothing to do with the loose wire and everything to do with resetting the GEM. Although I still don't know if the GEM has anything to do with cranking.

One more thing. My accessory delay is working for my windows and locks, but my radio isn't staying on after I turn the key off. My wife is telling me that it never did stay on and that I'm losing my mind, I'm almost sure it used to...... anyone have a 2001 f-250? does your radio stay on until you open the door?
Thanks

[floorboy]

My radio shuts off immediately after turning off the key. (01 f350)

[scagle1]

Have an 02 and my radio stays on for like 10 minutes or until the door is opened , had a 2000 and an 01 but dont recall on those ....sorry

[whitextreme]

On my 2000 the radio shuts off as soon as I turn the key off. The only thing that stays on are the lights in the door switch and they go off when I open the door.

[ZMANN]

the GEM shouldn't have any starting functions

and retained power( if you have it ) should die on a driver door open

this definitely sounds like a column or wiring issue to Me

[ProOnThaSnow]

In my 01, the radio shuts off immediately. Then again - its always had an aftermarket stereo in it and I dont have the slightest clue how its wired.

I'm still leaning toward steering column wiring being an issue - it could be as simple as replacing your ignition switch. I've never had one in one of these trucks apart so I'm not sure how everything is wired.