Free traders and housing bubble nuts

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]Allan or who ever asked: The electrical problems in my Expy are related to the GEM (Generic Electronic Module) – the GEM controls lights and wipers and probably other stuff as well.

It’s an expensive repair.

There is a known defect in 1997-2002 Expy’s/F-150’s where water leaks into the GEM and eventually causes corrosion.

Yes, I could use cash for clunkers but that means I have to buy a new car – paying substantial taxes and increased yearly licensing fees.

If I do buy one, it won’t be from an American manufacturer – I’m through getting burnt on Detroit’s junk.[/quote]

Paramount. The parts are probably the most expensive piece..Labor should be a breeze. You could probably do it yourself (matter of swapping boards)…If you go to the stealer and buy a new board, it’s probably going to cost an arm and a leg. If you really want to fix it, call up local scrapyards/junkyards who will sell the part to you for 1/5 the cost of new. (I do this for hobby…*light* rebuilding cars)..Fords/GM’s were known for not providing enough water sealing cases/containers around electronic components, especially when placed new windows/doors…The assumption was that the windows/doors would never leak…There are aftermarket jackets/weatherproofing stuff you can do to address this.
Your problem you describe apparently is a widespread issue among other owners. That’s actually a good thing, because there are plenty of self-help things you can do to fix this problem yourself…

For instance…

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_replace_a_2001_ford_expedition_gem_module

Edit:

Looks like the part new will set you back about $300
http://www.conquestauto.com/servlet/the-2110/1999-dsh-2002-Expedition-New-Ford/Detail

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-FORD-EXPEDITION-GEM-MODULE-PN-YU7Z-14B205-AA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33598QQitemZ230350681780QQrdZ1

..Not bad… I fried a ECU on my when trying to chip it with a mod. Dealer wanted $600 for a new ECU. Fortunately, I found one at a scrapyard for $100

You can probably get one from ebay or craigslist cheaper.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=ford+expedition+GEM&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I see some selling for under $100..You need to match for the exact part number though

[paramount]

Flu: Thanks for that info; I removed a section of my dashboard to try and access the GEM. It is piggybacked on the main fuse block and the area looks a lot like spaghetti. Those wiki instructions boil it down nicely though.

[paramount]

Flu: Thanks for that info; I removed a section of my dashboard to try and access the GEM. It is piggybacked on the main fuse block and the area looks a lot like spaghetti. Those wiki instructions boil it down nicely though.

[paramount]

Flu: Thanks for that info; I removed a section of my dashboard to try and access the GEM. It is piggybacked on the main fuse block and the area looks a lot like spaghetti. Those wiki instructions boil it down nicely though.

[paramount]

Flu: Thanks for that info; I removed a section of my dashboard to try and access the GEM. It is piggybacked on the main fuse block and the area looks a lot like spaghetti. Those wiki instructions boil it down nicely though.

[paramount]

Flu: Thanks for that info; I removed a section of my dashboard to try and access the GEM. It is piggybacked on the main fuse block and the area looks a lot like spaghetti. Those wiki instructions boil it down nicely though.

[briansd1]

[quote=urbanrealtor]

Personally, I don’t think about these things when I buy or lease. I think about what the best value is. That’s why I won’t ever buy American until they either get a lot cheaper or a lot better.

I don’t think I am making a bad decision by leaving the exchange rate and bonds out of the equation.[/quote]

Me too.

That said, perhaps our currency is too strong. If the US Dollar were even cheaper, we’d sell more abroad.

But our standards of living would decline because we’d have to do without all the goodies that we import for cheap.

We maybe living high now, but the future generations will pay the price.

[briansd1]

[quote=urbanrealtor]

Personally, I don’t think about these things when I buy or lease. I think about what the best value is. That’s why I won’t ever buy American until they either get a lot cheaper or a lot better.

I don’t think I am making a bad decision by leaving the exchange rate and bonds out of the equation.[/quote]

Me too.

That said, perhaps our currency is too strong. If the US Dollar were even cheaper, we’d sell more abroad.

But our standards of living would decline because we’d have to do without all the goodies that we import for cheap.

We maybe living high now, but the future generations will pay the price.

[briansd1]

[quote=urbanrealtor]

Personally, I don’t think about these things when I buy or lease. I think about what the best value is. That’s why I won’t ever buy American until they either get a lot cheaper or a lot better.

I don’t think I am making a bad decision by leaving the exchange rate and bonds out of the equation.[/quote]

Me too.

That said, perhaps our currency is too strong. If the US Dollar were even cheaper, we’d sell more abroad.

But our standards of living would decline because we’d have to do without all the goodies that we import for cheap.

We maybe living high now, but the future generations will pay the price.

[briansd1]

[quote=urbanrealtor]

Personally, I don’t think about these things when I buy or lease. I think about what the best value is. That’s why I won’t ever buy American until they either get a lot cheaper or a lot better.

I don’t think I am making a bad decision by leaving the exchange rate and bonds out of the equation.[/quote]

Me too.

That said, perhaps our currency is too strong. If the US Dollar were even cheaper, we’d sell more abroad.

But our standards of living would decline because we’d have to do without all the goodies that we import for cheap.

We maybe living high now, but the future generations will pay the price.

[briansd1]

[quote=urbanrealtor]

Personally, I don’t think about these things when I buy or lease. I think about what the best value is. That’s why I won’t ever buy American until they either get a lot cheaper or a lot better.

I don’t think I am making a bad decision by leaving the exchange rate and bonds out of the equation.[/quote]

Me too.

That said, perhaps our currency is too strong. If the US Dollar were even cheaper, we’d sell more abroad.

But our standards of living would decline because we’d have to do without all the goodies that we import for cheap.

We maybe living high now, but the future generations will pay the price.

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=Rt.66]Urban Realtor, American cars are on par with or better than anything the world has to offer. Where have you been?

It’s offensive to insinuate American cars need to get better, if only because it’s so ignorant. Or perhaps because the statement reeks of the kind of guilt only sending your money to a foreign country, while so many in your country are suffering can bring.

As far as cheaper goes….well if trade laws were actually fair then foreign cars would cost more because we would not be allowing them to manipulate their currencies, I guess that would make US cars cheaper comparatively.

The visiting team is cheating hard on the home team and the umpires are looking the other way. You ok with that just because the visiting team’s boosters are selling hotdogs cheaper?[/quote]
Again, you are missing the point.

This is not a game or a sport and there are regulators (who may be lax) not umpires.

That is not the point.

I have zero interest in fixing the auto industry or in showing my patriotism at the dealership.

Also, I am not sure what is ignorant about saying that american cars are comparatively less reliable and practical than foreign cars. I think I am reiterating what most independent review firms (including CR) describe.

The following article is interesting.

I find it interesting that they did not even test Ford Fusion or Chrysler Sebring. It is just a test of whether Chevy can compete against established (read Japanese) brands.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0802_midsize_sedan_comparison/index.html

It indicates that Chevy is finally getting to a point where it can compete with the Japanese.

One final note:
I got a new car today.
It is a 2009 Honda Accord.
I made this decision based purely on market considerations.
I would have been willing to go American (because I lease and even American cars last 2 years) but Honda had the best terms and payments.
Its awesome and has a reliability record better than even a Camry or Sonata.

As far as suggesting that I feel guilt, well, I don’t know what to say.

I would like it if I came from a country where the auto companies were more competitive, but that is not currently the reality.

I don’t think buying an inferior good (in terms of the vehicle or the financing) is particularly patriotic.

Good luck and I hope your policy of buying inferior goods supporting weak companies (out of sympathy?) serves you well.

Again good luck to you.

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=Rt.66]Urban Realtor, American cars are on par with or better than anything the world has to offer. Where have you been?

It’s offensive to insinuate American cars need to get better, if only because it’s so ignorant. Or perhaps because the statement reeks of the kind of guilt only sending your money to a foreign country, while so many in your country are suffering can bring.

As far as cheaper goes….well if trade laws were actually fair then foreign cars would cost more because we would not be allowing them to manipulate their currencies, I guess that would make US cars cheaper comparatively.

The visiting team is cheating hard on the home team and the umpires are looking the other way. You ok with that just because the visiting team’s boosters are selling hotdogs cheaper?[/quote]
Again, you are missing the point.

This is not a game or a sport and there are regulators (who may be lax) not umpires.

That is not the point.

I have zero interest in fixing the auto industry or in showing my patriotism at the dealership.

Also, I am not sure what is ignorant about saying that american cars are comparatively less reliable and practical than foreign cars. I think I am reiterating what most independent review firms (including CR) describe.

The following article is interesting.

I find it interesting that they did not even test Ford Fusion or Chrysler Sebring. It is just a test of whether Chevy can compete against established (read Japanese) brands.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0802_midsize_sedan_comparison/index.html

It indicates that Chevy is finally getting to a point where it can compete with the Japanese.

One final note:
I got a new car today.
It is a 2009 Honda Accord.
I made this decision based purely on market considerations.
I would have been willing to go American (because I lease and even American cars last 2 years) but Honda had the best terms and payments.
Its awesome and has a reliability record better than even a Camry or Sonata.

As far as suggesting that I feel guilt, well, I don’t know what to say.

I would like it if I came from a country where the auto companies were more competitive, but that is not currently the reality.

I don’t think buying an inferior good (in terms of the vehicle or the financing) is particularly patriotic.

Good luck and I hope your policy of buying inferior goods supporting weak companies (out of sympathy?) serves you well.

Again good luck to you.

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=Rt.66]Urban Realtor, American cars are on par with or better than anything the world has to offer. Where have you been?

It’s offensive to insinuate American cars need to get better, if only because it’s so ignorant. Or perhaps because the statement reeks of the kind of guilt only sending your money to a foreign country, while so many in your country are suffering can bring.

As far as cheaper goes….well if trade laws were actually fair then foreign cars would cost more because we would not be allowing them to manipulate their currencies, I guess that would make US cars cheaper comparatively.

The visiting team is cheating hard on the home team and the umpires are looking the other way. You ok with that just because the visiting team’s boosters are selling hotdogs cheaper?[/quote]
Again, you are missing the point.

This is not a game or a sport and there are regulators (who may be lax) not umpires.

That is not the point.

I have zero interest in fixing the auto industry or in showing my patriotism at the dealership.

Also, I am not sure what is ignorant about saying that american cars are comparatively less reliable and practical than foreign cars. I think I am reiterating what most independent review firms (including CR) describe.

The following article is interesting.

I find it interesting that they did not even test Ford Fusion or Chrysler Sebring. It is just a test of whether Chevy can compete against established (read Japanese) brands.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0802_midsize_sedan_comparison/index.html

It indicates that Chevy is finally getting to a point where it can compete with the Japanese.

One final note:
I got a new car today.
It is a 2009 Honda Accord.
I made this decision based purely on market considerations.
I would have been willing to go American (because I lease and even American cars last 2 years) but Honda had the best terms and payments.
Its awesome and has a reliability record better than even a Camry or Sonata.

As far as suggesting that I feel guilt, well, I don’t know what to say.

I would like it if I came from a country where the auto companies were more competitive, but that is not currently the reality.

I don’t think buying an inferior good (in terms of the vehicle or the financing) is particularly patriotic.

Good luck and I hope your policy of buying inferior goods supporting weak companies (out of sympathy?) serves you well.

Again good luck to you.

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=Rt.66]Urban Realtor, American cars are on par with or better than anything the world has to offer. Where have you been?

It’s offensive to insinuate American cars need to get better, if only because it’s so ignorant. Or perhaps because the statement reeks of the kind of guilt only sending your money to a foreign country, while so many in your country are suffering can bring.

As far as cheaper goes….well if trade laws were actually fair then foreign cars would cost more because we would not be allowing them to manipulate their currencies, I guess that would make US cars cheaper comparatively.

The visiting team is cheating hard on the home team and the umpires are looking the other way. You ok with that just because the visiting team’s boosters are selling hotdogs cheaper?[/quote]
Again, you are missing the point.

This is not a game or a sport and there are regulators (who may be lax) not umpires.

That is not the point.

I have zero interest in fixing the auto industry or in showing my patriotism at the dealership.

Also, I am not sure what is ignorant about saying that american cars are comparatively less reliable and practical than foreign cars. I think I am reiterating what most independent review firms (including CR) describe.

The following article is interesting.

I find it interesting that they did not even test Ford Fusion or Chrysler Sebring. It is just a test of whether Chevy can compete against established (read Japanese) brands.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0802_midsize_sedan_comparison/index.html

It indicates that Chevy is finally getting to a point where it can compete with the Japanese.

One final note:
I got a new car today.
It is a 2009 Honda Accord.
I made this decision based purely on market considerations.
I would have been willing to go American (because I lease and even American cars last 2 years) but Honda had the best terms and payments.
Its awesome and has a reliability record better than even a Camry or Sonata.

As far as suggesting that I feel guilt, well, I don’t know what to say.

I would like it if I came from a country where the auto companies were more competitive, but that is not currently the reality.

I don’t think buying an inferior good (in terms of the vehicle or the financing) is particularly patriotic.

Good luck and I hope your policy of buying inferior goods supporting weak companies (out of sympathy?) serves you well.

Again good luck to you.

[Author]

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