Will a Mk2 GEM unit work in another similar car?

[AntonovAN12]

I think I remember reading on here before that a GEM unit can be swapped between two vehicles of identical spec.

There was a Mk2 1.6 Petrol LX at the breakers a few months back. Unfortunately it has since been crushed.

If I see another, is it worth taking the GEM unit as a spare? That is assuming it doesn't look water damaged.

Of course it also depends on how much they want to charge for it.

Are there any other easily removable spares that would be worth taking just in case?

 

[unofix]

3 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

is it worth taking the GEM unit as a spare?

Well as your car gets older, used spares will become increasingly rare. You will need to reprogramme the replacement GEM with your own cars "Asbuilt" file but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. As regards what other parts are worth having it's the age old "How longs a piece of string" question.

Any item that stops your car from working or from passing an MOT can be considered critical. To make sure you always have the spare part needed you would need to keep a whole spare car.

[AntonovAN12]

Thanks for the reply. Would the spare GEM have to be programmed using Forscan?

I don't own the software or cable as I haven't yet needed them.

The Mk2s seem to be common enough for now that service parts should be available for a while. I was thinking of easily removable parts that could only be sourced new from Ford

[unofix]

Yes you can use FORScan to download the the AsBuilt file direct from Ford and then load the profile to the replacement GEM

[AntonovAN12]

Am I correct in reading your post that the file has to come from Ford?

I assumed that you had to download it from the car while the current GEM was fitted.

Once you have this file, am I correct that you fit the replacement GEM to the car, then load the file? Is there a way to do it directly to the used replacement GEM while it is not fitted to the car?

[unofix]

11 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

that the file has to come from Ford?

Yes. You use FORScan while connected to the car and a good WiFi signal. Click the little 'AB' tab at the bottom of the screen and follow the instructions. It will get the AsBuilt file for your car from Ford.

13 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Once you have this file, am I correct that you fit the replacement GEM to the car, then load the file?

Yes. Once you have the file for your car then fit the replacement GEM. Then use FORScan to load the AsBuilt file to it.

14 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

to the used replacement GEM while it is not fitted to the car?

No

[AntonovAN12]

Thanks for the reply.

Is it a similar process for the instrument cluster?

[unofix]

1 minute ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Is it a similar process for the instrument cluster?

Yes, but beware that mileage can only be moved higher it can't be rolled back. So make sure any replacement IC has less mileage than your car. 

[AntonovAN12]

Thanks, this is all useful information to know.

If the matching GEM, Cluster and engine ECU from another Mk2 are swapped as set, should the car they are fitted to run?

[unofix]

Yes but you will have to reprogram in your car key / keyfob as the transferred parts won't recognise your keys and so the immobiliser will be active. On a 2006 model the re-coding of the keys will be possible using the paid for licensed version of FORScan (£12). 

[AntonovAN12]

I didn't think of the key. If the donor vehicle had the remote key, could the transponder and remote be used with the existing key blade without any other changes? My key is the horseshoe type, so they could be easily swapped.

I have a spare remote key that I got from a scrapped car. I programmed the spare remote using the method shown in the owners manual. If the original remote breaks, I can swap the key blade and transponder chip onto the spare remote.

[unofix]

25 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

If the donor vehicle had the remote key, could the transponder and remote be used with the existing key blade without any other changes?

That should work 👍