Ford Repair: 02 Expedition GEM/ My car wont start, windshield wiper motor, fuse panel

Question
I have noticed in the past several months that when I turn the key over to start - all of my guages immediately MAX out and then return to normal - it hasn't always done that.  2 days ago after being driven then sat in the driveway about 1/2 hour, I went to start it and it wouldn't.  It didn't even try to turn over.  My first thought was the battery, but it also started making a clicking noise from somewhere in the dash behind the fuse pannel.  I found somewhere on a Ford forum that other people had similar experiences due to a leak in either the windshield or the cover for the windshield wiper motor.  The water would leak in and damage the GEM.  These people all said that they got their vehicles jumped and were able to drive, but they experienced more electrical problems after that. I have waited trying to replace the battery or getting it jumped out of fear and hope that I am possibly saving it from further damage.  My question is, is it possible that this could've happened to my vehicle, or is it more likely the battery.  Is there somewhere that I could locate the GEM?  Any assistance at all would be of great help.  I usually rely on my husband or Father for this kind of help, but my husband is in the hospital and my Father is out of town.
Thanks in advance,
Mary Beth  

Answer
As far as I know the water leak problem was more prevalent on pickups, but since the Expedition is based on the F150 it could also affect the SUV. Most of the ones I have seen or heard about the leak is from the top left corner of the windshield. Water gets in to the GEM or fuse panel and can create all sorts of problems. There is no permanent damage that I know of, except the GEM or fuse panel can be damaged from the moisture or corrosion.

The GEM is mounted above the fuse panel. However, I would like to see you jump start this vehicle first, see what works and doesn't work. If you can retrieve codes from the PCM, GEM, and other modules, that will help figure out what is happening. What you describe could be as simple as a dead battery. Jump starting will not hurt anything if done correctly.

Have you had heavy rains recently, or been thru a car wash?