module problem???

[juggernaut2874]

I have a 02 Ex EB 4.0 V6 with 125K miles that I think has a bad module or something disconnected. I do not have a warranty anymore. My symptoms are:

1. No seatbelt chime ever
2. Airbag light constantly lit (never blinks at start up)
3. Power seats (driver side) and pedals do not move
4. Fuses and relay are good
5. ABS light constantly on (never blinks at start up) - maybe seperate matter
6. Cruise and horn work fine

I've had codes read with the following results
P1703 - brake switch
B2900 - VIN mismatch


Is there a common module under the seat, armrest console, dash, somewhere that could possibly cause any or all of these symptoms? I've disconnected the battery but the codes are still there. Does the PCM need to be re-flashed? Any ideas on where to start?

 

[High_Order1]

VIN mismatch - if that is a constant code, that's a strong sign someone has replaced a 'smart' piece somewhere. Problem is I don't know which. Your vehicle (I think) is pre-CAN. There are several modules, all of which talk back and forth to the master part, the PCM. Do you have a replacement stereo by any chance?

Have you checked all the fuses, including the box under the hood? Do you see any fusible links that look bubbly or crackly stiff?

If someone doesn't already know this answer, I'll be happy to research this on my service DVD, it will just take me a day or so.

-Shawn

 

[juggernaut2874]

The ABS contol module attached to the hydraulic pump was replaced about six months ago which I guess is where the VIN mismatch is coming from. All of the fuses, relays, and links under the dash and in the power distribution box are good to go. I'm going to take it to Ford and see what they say about all of the symptoms.
On the airbag light problem, I tested the resistance of the yellow plugs (going to the seatbelt) under the driver and passenger seats and they both had zero Ohms - shorted.
Could they both be bad or am I doing something wrong?

 

[aldive]

Have you checked the GEM?

 

[juggernaut2874]

Not sure! Is that the black box under the seat that has the yellow, green, and gray connections? If so, I have cleaned the connections but what else could be checked?

 

[aldive]

No, the GEM is behind the dash. Be sure to check fuse(s) powering it.

Good luck ....

 

[juggernaut2874]

I saw on other posts that my Ex (build date 7/02) does not have a GEM located behind the dash because the instrument IC controls it now. I do have a GEM (actually labeled that) under each seat that various plugs are connected to!

 

[aldive]

Sorry, I saw a '94 but didn't look to see you have another one also.

Good luck ....

 

[juggernaut2874]

Went to Ford and had them perform a diagnostic check. They wanted $80 each to diagnose the ABS light problem, airbag light problem, power pedal problem, and another 80 to diagnose the power seat problem for a total of 350.00!! Just to hook it to the scanner!! I said they were out of their mind and to just diagnose the airbag light constantly on problem.
They said the Restraint Control Module under the center console looks to be bad since it is not communicating. They want another 400 bucks to remove and replace the part and to also re-program it. I want to put this part in myself but how do I re-program? Disconnect the battery??

 

[juggernaut2874]

Restraints Control Module from Ford is roughly 185 bucks so I will replace this IAW proper deactivation/reactivation procedures for the airbags and see if this gets rid of my constant airbag light.
What I thought was a GEM module under the driver's seat is actually labeled a Global Seat Module and goes for around 230 bucks from Ford. No luck finding this yet anywhere else. The part number is 2C7T-14C708-AD. Can anyone cross reference this for a cheaper aftermarket part? Has anyone had one of these go bad? I believe it will cure my power seat/pedal, and seat belt chime problems.

 

[rrgone]

Restraints Control Module from Ford is roughly 185 bucks so I will replace this IAW proper deactivation/reactivation procedures for the airbags and see if this gets rid of my constant airbag light.
What I thought was a GEM module under the driver's seat is actually labeled a Global Seat Module and goes for around 230 bucks from Ford. No luck finding this yet anywhere else. The part number is 2C7T-14C708-AD. Can anyone cross reference this for a cheaper aftermarket part? Has anyone had one of these go bad? I believe it will cure my power seat/pedal, and seat belt chime problems.

Did you try to get prices for the modules from directfordparts? They offered very nice discounts on 4X4 control modules to lots of folks here. Here's what I have bookmarked for their contact info: http://www.trademotion.com/storefront/index.cfm?action=contactus&siteid=214290
I think that they're the online parts side of a big Ford dealer in Vegas. Good luck.

 

[High_Order1]

partstrain also seems to be well stocked. Just be REAL careful screwing around the SRS. Give it a couple minutes after disco'ing the battery, and be mindful of where the bag might potentially deploy.

-Shawn

 

[juggernaut2874]

Thanks to some pinpoint repair info from rrgone, I found a bad ground connection under my center console. This fixed my power seat, power pedal, and seat belt warning chime problems. It also made the airbag light flash code 34 at start up instead of continuously being on. From other posts this code tells me there is a problem with the passenger side pre-tensioner circuit. Fixing the ground connection saved me from replacing the Restraints Control Module and Driver's Seat Module.
Now, I only have the following symptoms:

1. ABS light constantly on at start-up (never flashes). Is it supposed to flash if there is a problem?
2. Airbag LFC 34

 

[High_Order1]

That is GREAT! I'm glad you've been able to track it all down. The ABS light is supposed to 'prove out' for a few seconds with all the other idiot lights whenever you first turn it on. If there is an issue, I think it would stay lit constantly. I have seen that srs code before, but for the life of me can NOT remember what it means....

-Shawn

 

[High_Order1]

I went and looked in the service DVD. =

The air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately 6 seconds and then turn off. If an SRS fault is present, the air bag indicator will:

fail to light.
remain lit continuously.
flash.
The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and an SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of 5 sets of 5 beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator will need to be repaired before diagnosis can continue.


Lamp Fault Code 34 Restraint System — Safety Belt Pretensioner Fault (Passenger Pretensioner Circuit Fault)

Pinpoint Test G: LFC 33 and 34/DTC B2292 — Restraint System — Safety Belt Pretensioner Fault

Normal Operation

The restraints control module (RCM) checks all of the safety belt pretensioners for faults. If the RCM detects one of the following faults on any of the safety belt pretensioner circuits, it will store diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B2292 in memory and flash, depending on the fault indicator, either lamp fault code (LFC) 33 or 34 (or higher priority code if one exists) on the air bag indicator.

Fault Conditions

The RCM monitors for the following fault conditions:

low resistance.
circuit open.
circuit short to voltage.
circuit short to ground.
Possible Causes

A safety belt pretensioner status fault can be caused by:

damaged wiring, terminals or connectors.
a faulty pretensioner.
RCM is faulted

There are a buttload of pinpoint tests, but you'll need something to read the codes or else they are, uh, pinpointless.... lol

-Shawn

 

[juggernaut2874]

ALL PROBLEMS FIXED!!
To sum everything up here is what was done to fix my symptoms:

1. No power seats, no power pedals, no seat belt chime were fixed by finding a bad ground connection using the pinpoint tests from the service manual CD ROM provided by "rrgone".

2. Correcting the ground now made my constantly on airbag light to flash code 34...passenger pretensioner fault.

3. After disarming the airbag system, I found a loose connection (yellow connector) under the passenger seat. Fixed the loose connection and put it back together...no more airbag light so far!

4. Finally the only fault left was the constant ABS light. Since I had the ABS module replaced about 7 months ago and the light has been ever since I decided to take it to the dealer and have them reprogram the "as-built data" into the ABS module. Sure enough that was it. 100 dollars later and 1 hour of time, the ABS light is out because now the module can communicate with the PCM.

Thanks for all the help. The pinpoint tests saved me from having the dealer or another mechanic "module swap" until they found the problem if at all. This saved me from replacing the Restraints Control Module, Seat Module, etc., and a ton of labor.