[Gmat]

I have a 99 F350 4X4, I'm pretty sure it's a late 99 since the door panel build date is 4/99 and I also have an AIH.
So it rained last night, not hard, but a steady light rain. I had the block heater plugged in all night, temperature was around the 40`s, turned it on this morning and it started like a champ, everything sounded good. Drove around town for maybe 10 minutes, got to where I was going and turned the key to the off position and the engine keeps running. Radio turns off and so does A/C but dash lights stay on and engine keeps idling. It sounds really good, no clanking or clicking or rattling or anything, it purrs like kitty but just won't shut off. I try turning the key back to the on positing then back to the off position, I try jiggling it and everything but the engine stays on.
I got it to turn off by pulling fuse 24 which is labeled PCM Power. (I have a 2000 owners manual even though my truck is a 99, I'm assuming there the same.) After the engine dies my dash gauges continue to receive power as well as the lights such as the abs, seat belt and a couple other lights all within the dash.
At first it sounded like a bad ignition switch, but when i pulled it, it was very clean, no corrosion almost looked brand new. I went ahead and got another one from a parts store anyways and switched it out and the problem was exactly the same.(side note, sometimes when I jiggle the keys it will turn off but my dash still receives power.)
I do get a leak that runs down inside the cab near the emergency brake and hood release handle, so I pulled out the fuse box and removed the GEM since I've heard it can cause problems when it gets wet, it had some water stains on the case but inside looked pretty clean except for some white cloudiness that was just visible. I'll link some pictures.
I also tried moving all the relays from both the inside panel and the one under the hood to see if it was one bad relay but after moving them all the problem was exactly the same.

I could really use any tips for this. If I pulled the GEM could I like take it to the dealer and have them test it? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Dropbox - Truck This is some pictures of the GEM.

 

[richyrich]

have you taken the steering column apart to see if there is any wires that are broken or chaffed going to the ignition. it does sound like either an ignition or gem problem but im not good with the gem's

 

[Gmat]

I have not, but I have held the actual ignition switch at the base of the steering column in my hands and manually switched it from off to on and auxiliary and even cranked it, on both the old switch and a brand new one and the problem was the same.
Do you know if the GEM's are the same between years? Because I have a 2001 F250 that I was thinking of pulling the GEM and sticking it in my 99 F350 to see if that would fix the problem. Both are automatics and have the same transmission.

 

[Gmat]

Update. I had parked the truck and disconnected the battery for the past 2 days, but I needed to use it today so I reconnected the battery and used it and it turned off just fine. I turned it on again then tried to turn it off and it worked just fine. Then while it was off and the key was in my pocket all the dash gauges got power and it was like I had turned the key to the on position and the glow plugs were warming up. Lasted for about 15 to 20 seconds and then it went back off again without me touching anything, and it has been behaving nicely the rest of the day so far.

 

[destructo419]

is haunted lol it sounds like its in ur GEM

 

[RyanG85]

Do you have a remote car starter? I've seen them do crazy things. If not, I would be looking into the water leak.

 

[2Dstorm]

At least it runs... Most people complain about no start! Lol

 

[richyrich]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the 01 has a gem I believe it has a vsm I could be wrong tho

 

[Dieselpop]

It is most definitely your GEM. Get the water leak fixed and if your lucky the GEM will dry out and you will be fine.
GEM's are getting hard to find so dont wait around. The last one I bought about 3 years ago was around $375. Last I checked they were about $500 and sold out.

 

[Gmat]

I don't have a remote start.

Ran it all today and towed some stuff and it started and turned off great and the dash stopped getting power when it was supposed to, so hopefully the GEM continues to function well.
I also caulked the heck out of the window to make sure I don't get anymore water in until I get a chance to take out the glass and properly fix the rust spots where the water is getting in through.

Thanks a bunch for the help guys I appreciate it!

 

[briechey]

What’s a gem