In this video I have a look at a customers 2013 Ford Escape with the big 2.0 that has a customer concern of a no start, no crank. He gave it the old college try but could not come up with the answer. Let's have a look.
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South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
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Hey there viewers! Welcome back to the South Main Auto Channel that's a 13 Ford Escape It's got the big 2-0 and apparently it doesn't start all right. Drove it in but the guy showed me a little trick. He's been working on it for a while. Uh, he's at his Wit's End he's made a call on the BCM wants to know if he's correct so we're going to take a look at it and see if that's what it is and if it is I guess we'll have to Source out a new one. If not, we'll find out what the real problem is. Uh Butternut that's all I know in order to get the vehicle running, he showed me you hooked the battery up and then you take the wire here and you shove the wire in into the battery post and then you stick it down inside the fuse box next to this fuse here and then the car will start to run. And indeed it did because that's how I got it in last night. Uh, ahead of the snow and then that's that's all I've done I just wanted to get it in so it wasn't covered with snow. so I say we? We keep this in our mind that we shove it back here in the fuse box and the car starts. Uh, that's good to know he did tell me. However, if you have that shoved in there, it doesn't make the car you know. drivable per se. I guess it throws you know a bunch of codes and and things like that. So I say we leave the the rigging out, we'll hook the battery up, we'll throw a maintainer on it, and then we'll just kind of take our diag as we normally would. uh, just bearing that in mind if that can help us shortcut the process along the way. So I'm going to hook up the battery I'm going to take and grab a maintainer, throw a battery maintainer on it because we're gonna have the key on for a while. We'll get a scan tool on it I don't know how many codes are set because of, you know, because of doing this or things that he was doing. He says he'd been working on it for a while and he just said it's wits end. So uh, to let's do that. we may. um I Guess what I was getting at is we may clear all the codes out of it that are currently in it and then you know it's kind of get a good fresh start here. So I'll show you where we're at folks. Uh, key on engine off of course I've read all the codes out of it. Here's everything that pops well. Initially my first initial read it was I don't know 79 codes but I went through and cleared it and then we'll go to a report here and this thing is just littered full of codes. Uh, ambient temp, intake air temp? You know? Of course the guy was telling me about some of this and um, but you can see here that I mean this thing is just you know, full of lots of com codes. you know, you name it, it's in here, so just give you guys kind of the quick run down there so that that's what's going on with it doesn't crank. um it doesn't really do anything. it carries on and you'll kind of hear it clicking on and off and doing some weird things out here periodically and some uh, some dingers going off. I do have some direction though and that being this here. this ignition on relay. So this is the codes out of the body control module and for about I don't know half hour 40 minutes here. I've just been going through all the codes, just kind of looking to see to see if something really sticks out to me. you know what can be causing this. plus what we know from the customer where he says you know he's shoving this wire in the fuse box and and got it running. So I was looking at this ignition on relay code and I also pulled up a wiring diagram to see you know where this relay is, what controls it. Can this make the whole thing not start? You know, does this crash input have anything to do with it? Does that disable it? If it thinks it's been in a crash, you know, just all kinds of stuff. And let me show you what I think we have going on here I Know this isn't really ideal at this point of screen here folks. by the time we're gonna do it for right now, Um, here's our ignition relay and that's one that we have the code in the body module for. You know, some something going on with this ignition relay. We know that the customer says that the fuse box isn't powering up or certain fuses in it. So I just looked at this relay to see where it is, what what controls it. It is controlled from from the body control module, so that makes sense that it has a code in it. You know whether this opening this wire or something going on here with the relay. Um, and if this really doesn't work I wanted to know what? You know what would not work if the relay wasn't working and the answer is a whole lot of stuff. So this entire row of fuses here, you know number? you know, 37 up through 44 46 couple other random fuses. Uh, not to mention if we follow this diagram around the uh, the PCM power relay doesn't work either. So there's a lot of stuff that doesn't work without the ignition relay. So my question is, if we bypass this relay, this ignition relay. Could we just bypass it? Does a car start and run and seem to kind of act normal? Do we still have a bazillion codes? There's a sun in this? Just on a wild goose chase. So I still have the key on currently. Now this here is the Ignition relay. Pull that baby out. Somebody's had her up before she's got the crush Mark in It got us a test light here. We're just gonna hook to a ground assuming we should have a couple Powers here. Okay, we do. So we have a couple powers. Uh, let's look at this relay. So we got the two bigger terminals here. number one five or three and five. So we're gonna have a power. Yep, and that would be the other one. That's a power. So this one over here should be a control. This should be the ground from the BCM and we don't have a ground there. so we have no control turning this relay onto. nothing's telling. that's relay to turn on at the moment. Uh, we can go like this, might be able to reach it, stick that in there. We'll hook our ground back up and we'll try to just trigger the relay if I can reach it. or ah, it's got a little piece of plastic in the way here. Oh, all right. Well, we just heard. Can you guys hear that? I Tell you what? Well, let me get something. Hold on. Let's do this because we want to see right now. this row of fuses up here. These are all dead. and this whole row fuses down here. are not dead. Okay, all right, but this is the row up here that is dead. and those are fuses: 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 So on that we were seeing on the diagram there that were controlled by this ignition on relay. So I got a relay bypass here. We're just going to bypass it so we can still use our test light. Okay, now all these little guys are alive again. Okay, so that livens up the fuse box essentially what he was doing by. you know, shoving that piece of wire in there. So let's just go like this real quick. I Don't know if you guys be able to see this again. too many lights glaring on in here. We're gonna let it go through a us a quick erase and then we'll rescan it and see if everybody appears to be happy. And so far it looks like possibly because we're getting a lot of green lights here. thank you so that can really change our Focus See, we'll just do a fault scan again. I'll let it go through here and rescan. Technically, the car should start and run at this point. Uh, I mean we did drive it in with that jumper wire in there. It looks like so far just one code there in the driver's door module. That's right, because we got the window down or something okay and then okay. I Think that that gives us good direction customer help to shortcut this one a little bit. Uh, which is great. Don't know how he got his conclusion, but we're gonna steal it for now. Uh, let's just start the vehicle. it should start. Probably won't run until we turn that off, but let's just make sure it starts anyways. I Just got the key off but it's still running. Okay, so we learned something here. All right. I Just wanted to turn the key back on. It's a push button to start, turn this back on and that turns everything on. Let's change all of our Focus from anything we were thinking, to what controls the ignition relay. what turns this on? uh, we know. I Guess we know a couple things. We know: this relay is good because we jumpered what's in here. Let's put that back in there. Kind of take some of the facts that we know. if we, if we apply a ground to the control side, get back under there. Okay, so if we apply a ground to the control side, we hear everything turn on and then by simply bypassing the relay, we know the other parts of it are good. so everything from here out should be good. The only thing we don't know is why the body control module is not turning that on and if the wiring from here to the body control module is any good. But we did learn a couple things. so let's go with what we know and uh, kind of take it from there. I'll put this maintainer back on there and let's see what we can figure out now that we have kind of more of a pinpoint uh, test here testing that we can do I think what we want to do is I want to pop into Body Control Module before we even look at too much and I just want to look through some live data now I've been down through some of this already and I just want to pay closer attention to anything that looks abnormal I Want to look at like you know. ignition switch inputs? You know anything that you know just kind of jumps out to me. Okay, so here we go: Ignition Switch run, position, accessory position. Let me just push the all right. I don't know how much of this is generic either because obviously this is push button start. So I think I'll just kind of keep going here. Foreign. It's good just to grab as much data as you can. Okay, here we go: Power modeing ignition on post accessory mission on display insert request on. Okay, so it does recognize crank mode. Okay, so that's I Guess that's a good good thing to know PMS Junk I don't really care about TPMS stuff get the more normal. Yeah, so that's interesting. Um, yeah, that all seems to function and it seems to like everything. That's really making me curious if this, the body control module itself has failed an active test here I Don't know if it has anything worth the who. um nothing really here that's going to help us I'm gonna let it run through a self-test again. What's really interesting? Uh, now that I even sit here and think about it for a minute is we got a wiper mode switch Hood switch. Okay, so it does have a lot of issues. Um, wow, we got stuff sitting up on the window I don't want to kick the wipers on. Um, but I think once we had the uh, once we had powered on that ignition or that. remember when we reread the codes out of it, there wasn't any codes in here, so that's kind of curious that it, you know, fixed all of these codes so to speak. Let's kind of focus on on this ignition on relay because we know if we get that to turn on, everything works, so we'll kind of disregard some other stuff here, at least for the time being until we get sidetracked. Let's let's focus on this ignition on relay. I'm going to look it up, see what it takes to make that sucker work, and then see if we can come up with a plan. So the great part about this car is everything is ripped to shreds and he told me don't put anything back together so it's even better. The body control module lifts here behind the glove box and this is just how we receive the car now. I Looked on Mitchell here I Wanted to get the code set criteria for that B10e714 the Ignition relay. Uh, and that is a circuit short to ground or open is how it's identifying that and it says beats. The Body control module continuously monitors the control side of the ignition relay. Uh, this code sets its BCM detects it open or short to ground in the ignition relay control circuit. When this DTC sets, the control side of the ignition relay is disabled via the Fet. so that's your transistor. the Field Effect transistor. what's the condition that causes it? Code is repaired BCM Must pass the self-test in order to clear the code. System operates as normal well. we know one thing for a fact is the control side, so that's what's going to turn that relay on out there. We know that it is not shorted to ground so it's either open-circuited or a bad, you know, body control module. If it was short of the ground, it would have turned on as soon as we stuck it in. because remember, we poked the Uh, the control side with the test light and essentially turned it on using my clients. So that tells us it's not short of the ground. so we're either looking at open or possibly a bad BCM Now I Went back to our diagram. our power distribution diagram. Got out my magnifying glass and I can see the Body Control module. uh, pin number 14 on connector c2280 Delta So that's what we need to find here is that connector and we need to find this particular wire which appears to be green with purple stripes. So green with Violet And what my plan: I See a lot of green? I'm just looking up here. there's a green with Violet There there's one there. there's one there, so that's a pretty common color on a Ford I Can see somebody's really done the Hokey Pokey here. Lots of wire poking must be there on the same color wire because here's a green of Violet's got a bunch of holes poked in it. Lots of lots of wires. here. it's been poked. So we'll find out which connector that we're supposed to be looking for and then we'll simply ground the wire in here with our test light and if that relay turns on, we know our wire is intact and at that point then we have to make a call on. You know whether or not the Spidey control module is bad, which I Almost have to assume it is because looking at scan data, it appears that it has everything else it needs to work. It's seeing the input from the key and all that. it's just not turning on that relay and we know that once that. relay turns on, the car seems to function. So let me find which one of these connectors is the c2280 Delta and then we'll go from there. Okay I think we're in good shape. There's the connector c2280 and then here is the pin out. So we got B E G D d So it should be this one here. one through nine. I'm wondering let's unplug it and um, let's see about taking the cover off. Here has a zip tie on it. Let me get a pair of Cutters We're going to snip that zip tie. We're going to slide it off that way we can just back probe it while it's plugged in. I Think would be our best option. See which way does that latch? So okay, so it's gonna go that way. Let me get the zip tie cut and then get that cover off. All right. So cut the zip tie and what it takes to get this cover off. but let's see if we can't pop it off here. it looks like it's got a couple little latches there. Yep, so that probably the side latch will probably just pop off I would think. Okay, so now plug it back in. All right. So that's plugged in and set that cap to the side and it says 10 through 20. And I think we were looking for number 14. So 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. make sure our wire color matches. So bottom left at 10 11. 12. wait a minute 10 11.
12 13. make sure this was right I thought we were going for number 14. Oh wait a minute here just because I was looking at the uh looking at upside down so we gotta run from the top down. So 10 11, 12, 13, 14. Yep, okay. green with purple. Okay so let me set this back up here. This is our control wire for the Relay that's out under the hood. That ignition relay unhook this. We're gonna let's get a ground here on anything. Make sure that our test light functions and it does. Our test light lights up. so if we plug into this the key is on, we should hear stuff power up. Oh but I don't Okay, so that's interesting. Um, all right, that is the correct wire. We are probed in there. Let me go out under the hood and make sure what are we making sure of. We're making sure. Okay, our test light is still good here and it is our test light's still good I kind of know. was half expecting that to kick everything on. Let's go out and make sure we did plug that relay in all the way. Another thing we can do is make sure that it doesn't start okay and it does not. and we knew that it did before. Okay, so that's something we know. Yep, and we do have the relay plugged in all the way. and we know this relay was good. No sense of pulling it back out so that is plugged in all the way, so that's pretty good. That tells us that we we likely have an open circuit. Then let's see if that relay command is being turned on. Let's apply power to it. Let's see here. Um, you know what we should have. This should be light in a test light. Right now. we definitely have an open circuit because on the other side of that control of the relay, we have power. We know we had two Powers at the relay and we know, um, we know that we could ground it and it would turn on. So yes, technically our test light should be lit up right now. If our body control module was bad, we can make sure that the body control module has the ability to control that circuit. We should be able to let me find a circuit down here that's hot. We'll see if we can steal some power from it so that top one there is hot. Let me see if I can't just probe beside it here just with a t-pin Oops. Let me see if that's hot. Oops. Got to get it in there. Let me see if any of these open circuits are hot here. but I guess I could just hold I could just hold it on there. probe that 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. We'll probe into that one and then I'm just going to hold this on power. We'll probably have to reset the PCM to get it to command this on. Oh no, there it is. So our test light lights up. Can you guys see that? Yeah, just probe this here. Kind of doing this. Uh, in a foolish way. but I Just want to show you just proof of concept. here. we can prove that our bite. So okay, so that's the control for the ignition relay. You can see it lights up. Let me turn the button off so it's button off, button on. Okay, that's the control for that relay. So that's a pretty definitive test. We have an open circuit. We either have a broken wire or a bad connection. Awesome. So now that narrowed it way down. Um, at least we don't talk about programming a body module or anything. What we need to do at this point is look at a factory diagram and say, where does this wire go that runs that control for that relay. Does it go? You know, through this connector, any other connectors? where is it heading and that should lead us to our problem. We're probably safe to slide this thing back on here. Pretty impressed with this kind of connector here. It seemed to come apart pretty easy as far as gaining access to back probe it. We'll throw zip tie on that before we finish. I Just want to put a sign here so we don't lose it. but that's a that's a pretty good stout connector. I Like that. Good job. Ford So I hope you guys are kind of following along at this point. I Think we've narrowed it down. Uh, pretty quick in the sense that we know it appears that the body control module functions or it's working, but it, um, you know, clearly isn't making you know the signal all the way to the relay. and that's essentially exactly what the code criteria was. Where we left that you know basically stating it was either shorted or open circuited in that control side, that we were able to narrow it down to see that a it's not open or it's not shorted, rather because we know when we plug it in, you know it's not kicking that. At least it's not short on this side. And then we also found quickly that it was open circuited because we've seen that the body control module has the ability to control. You know we can turn our test slate on and off when we apply power. However, when we grounded it, you know it didn't turn on that relay because you know there's no connection from the body control module out to the fuse box. So now we just have. You know the possibility of you know, open circuit and a connector? You know broken wire? You know fuse boxes junk. So I'm going to try to find an Oem wire diagram that's going to show us all the connectors on the system and then we can come up with some logic. How how can we break it down in big chunks and pinpoint right to where we need to get to? So according to the wiring diagram that wire is 100 straight shot runs out of that fuse box, up all the way across the firewall, over to the strut under the battery and then up into the bottom of the junction box. Now the fella I'd see has this this thing already all loose. I Have had experience in the past with these Fords With broken wires near at or under the battery box or behind the brake booster. we've run across that too. Uh, you know with mouse damage and stuff. Um I'm just kind of kind of poke around here. look with some mirrors. we may take pull the air box up out of here just to have kind of a look a visual inspection, see if we see anything obvious. It would be really nice if we had you know another connector so we could split the system in half. but we may at this point just have to do the Poke and Hope and see if we can find it. Now a lot of things and this car had been touched. There's a lot of broken stuff but I'm gonna see what we can do as far as just some visual inspections before we get. you know, kind of too deep here. Uh, get lucky. we might be able to see it. Foreign the past I've always found these broken wires back in this far back corner. I think we did a video on one. actually different. you know, different symptom, different wire. but I think same car. you take a quick peek there see if we just get lucky. Kind of hard to see back here. Real pain to to do anything with to fix anything back here. the last one I think we had to look at it with our borescope to even see back here. think it was a fiesta or something we did a video on. maybe I didn't do a video on I had no headlights or something like that if I remember right? Well I don't see any Mouse damage immediately I don't smell any either other than what the customer has done. you know, tearing stuff out there I don't see any, uh, anything super obvious, you know I like to say we got some broken bits here. Oh wait a minute. Wait a goddamn minute here folks. Oh let me get you on here for the money shot boys. I think we might see it I could be wrong but I want you to miss it. This may be the money shot. three colored wire anyways I see this wire here I didn't even really give you guys a big display for the right for the climax there. I guess so that's it. That's what's causing all our problems. I'm assuming it's the right color wire so it got pinched or something at some point something got after it. like I say all this stuff was like this when I got here unintense. So before you guys start ragging at me for being a hack, this is like this: in a customer requested that I leave everything apart. he's going to put it all back together. So I guess with that being said, we'll fix this wire. and technically we're either fixing a wire that's the same color or we found the wire and I don't want to try not to get in the way here. Let me, um, move you guys. Let me get this wire out of the bigger harness here. Get it out. We'll just trim it off. but yeah, it's all green and crusty there. Let me show you, let's trim that end off there. the end's trimmed off. but I don't know if you guys if how good that thing will focus, but she's very full of the green. plus here. Yeah, well, you just have to take my word for it. Uh, kind of funny that that right there completely disables your entire car. You have a nice day. Well, I guess that's it folks. just waiting for that to cool down. Just use the crimp and seal connector because I like to trigger people. not as big of a trigger as a welder. but it does pretty good. So once that cools down I'm just gonna, you know, stick it back in the harness I'll likely clip the box back down for the guy that this was. you know, all unclipped like I say and then probably prior to sticking it a hundred percent together. we'll just pop the battery in there to make sure. or at least you know Slide the tray in there, but that should be it I mean that's the right color wire? It would be kind of funny if it wasn't but not funny at the same time. Give that a few minutes. Uh, no idea what hit that like I say all the zip ties and everything are still in here other than this being unclipped which I assume this has only been unclipped for a short period of time unless this got unclipped sometime in the past and has just been back here rattling around or something. I don't know, it's not a regular customer. so I don't I don't know his, you know his work habits or you know any history on this car. So we'll see what we can do here. I Think you're always kind of silly to put a battery in the negatives way in the back here. Snug that up and I'll push it in there. put the positive in. Went ahead and cleared the codes fired up. now. just let it go through another fault scan here. All right and then driver's door module has a code in it. front window, motor position, sensor all right. I Say we've done pretty good starts and runs. Of course he's got quite a mess in here to clean up now. everything's all kind of ripped apart. It's got bang on around here, but that's all I wanted and that's all we're doing. See if that takes care of that code for him, see if the auto function works now. Oh, and it does Okay, let's reread that. Boom Pop back in there. That should have fixed that code. It's a freebie for you. There you go now. We got all green lights for now and the good news is it shuts off with a button. Well that was that folks. Kind of a kind of a weird one. Uh, this thing led me astray with the just the vast number of codes in all the different modules and the you know, the communication losses and the ones that led me to stray the most were the amount of codes in the body control module. Uh, leading me to think that you know we might have I guess in my gut I'll be honest with I mean I Thought we were gonna have a bad body control module when we first started. just based on the symptoms, the amount of codes that were in it, the weird things it was doing just sitting here, key on, engine off, you know I hear stuff clicking on and off and it was just pretty bizarre. So I didn't want to just jump the gun, order one and you know, obviously we would have been wrong. so we had to follow some evidence in the video. uh you know through editing and stuff it seems that this whole job was, you know, pretty cohesive and it just went nice and smooth. and you know, 30 minutes and you know, a couple clicks on a computer and boom, we're done. That's not the case. This job took me several hours, uh and most of that was research. was looking at wiring diagrams. you know, how is this all related? Granted, the customer you know, shoving the wire in the fuse box and doing you know some poking and hoping on his end was helpful because we knew that when he did that the car started. So that kind of gave us, you know some. Clues got our Wheels turned in here saying okay, well you know what powers this side of the fuse box. Does that make sense? So that did kind of direct some of my uh, some of my diag. So I don't have a clear um, mind or thought as to how I would have approached it having not known that. So it's just this is just how we did this one. Uh, and that's it. Pretty amazing that. one. relay not turning on can cause so many problems and can be pretty. you know, mind-racking for some folks. But uh, it definitely racked my brain a little bit. We were able to get through it and that's it. I'm not gonna sit here ramble anymore. Why don't you guys ramble on down? In that comment section off a comment question concern entity Facebook You guys know what to do. just my reviewers. If I could do it, you can do it. Thanks for watching.

99 thoughts on “Ford escape: customer threw in the towel – no start, no crank”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Malcolm Ross says:

    Once again you are the man!
    Great Job

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cody Copithorne says:

    Your analytical skills and methods helped me in fixing my own vehicle and solved why I couldn't fix an issue 40 years ago also. I went over what I learned this time and it dawned on me what the problem was then. So by watching how you analyze and solve problems, has helped myself and an unknown number of others. My hat off to you sir!

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kenneth Smith says:

    Great job very impressive

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars B Haebe says:

    We had a 14 Escape. Biggest POS in my car buying experience (49 years) Trans failure (at 5 grand on that alone) combustion chambers load up due to the injectors being in a crappy spot. A horrible location for the battery, BMS was poorly built, the list goes on.
    Never again FORD, never again Bud Clary Ford!

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Campbell's Soup Kitchen says:

    Once you've isolated that it was just one wire, you could have done a continuity test, run a clean wire from relay to harness. 👊🤛 FYI

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars c cole says:

    ah yes …. the infamous green crusties…. priceless

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars G J Carr says:

    Brilliant…..again

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ron stiles says:

    Nice video I'm a tech also people don't know how much time it takes to do what we do good job to you I would have had to edit my foul mouth out of video just from phone ringing and all the other stuff that interferes with that kinda of job 😀

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bill Garris says:

    Watching you do your job braking it down step by step takes me back to my days as a heavy equipment mechanic. All of that has become fly by wire now a days also. Been out of it for 8 years now and have went back to busting knuckles on auto's my first love when it was points carbs and big blocks. A lot has changed in 50 yrs plus but its still nuts bolts and wires. Thanks for what you do it gives me a better under stand how the auto side of the world of mechanics works in todays world.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim Burgess says:

    Great job, professor.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul T says:

    Which model autel scan tool are you using on this job mk 906???

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph Metcalf says:

    This is the stuff I absolutely LOVE tracking down on my own! It's hard to figure out and trace down, but you learn so much through the whole process and mind-set in doing the job… It makes you feel like a true professional when you test things; figure out what works and doesn't, and then use your mind to trace down where the issue lies after you've mentally figured it out in your head already and verified it all along the whole process…

    And then the BINGO moment when you suddenly spot the issue, and are like… Yep, it's a 30 second fix and a 5-cent part (adheasived lined butt connector), but it's a several hour experience tracking down that one little broken wire!

    Been there, done that! And I tell you, I still get enjoyment each time I run across a job like that one!… The main key though, is like you said, access to the wiring diagrams & connector pin-outs and general description of how the circuits are supposed to work… Without all that, you're basically dead in the water and VERY VERY difficult to figure out that info on your own (difficult, but not impossible as I've unfortunately had to figure them out on my own a few times without access to the info I needed like wiring diagrams and schematics)…

    As Doc Brown said in Back to the Future 3 (when inspecting the schematic for the time circuits that got fried by the lighting strike) "Unbelievable that something so small could cause such a big problem!"…

    No wonder that circuit failed, it says it was "Made in Japan" hahahahaha

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jason Wade says:

    Amazing how one little wire could leave you walking. Modern cars the ultimate joke.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars William T. Musil says:

    Hiya Eric

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gman Second says:

    Love watching the master at work. Keep the good videos coming.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Muppet Gump says:

    Congratulations on 750k subscribers Mr O.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeremy Landrum says:

    Awesome

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Live Wire says:

    Outstanding! Your troubleshooting methodology is solid. Only a few guys nation wide would have had all the skills to fix that one.
    Information is everything. Can't tell who the Players are, without a Program. Tenacity is your strongest talent. Very enjoyable to watch. Salt Sucks!
    😎

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Hill says:

    Every car you work on gives you a small piece of knowledge that carries over to the next, you have a lot of knowledge and the right mindset to use it. As a retired mechanic I enjoy learning from you as you share your days with us. Thank you.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars FC says:

    These auto makers build crap that do not last and then try to avoid warranty repairs. They all should be tried under the RICO laws…

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars vic says:

    You're a genius Eric. As always amazing video

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! RipCityBassWorks says:

    These no start videos are always the best.

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars a4000t says:

    These electrical troubleshooting problems are some of the best videos. As always great work!

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Zippy TheChicken says:

    lets all go back to 1967 when there wasn't any of this stuff.. there is just way too much unnecessary complexity in cars today .. right down to throwing codes for the window position.. honestly a 1982 VW Rabbit Diesel Pickup could get 40-50mpg every day of the week.. thats a 40 year old vehicle.. if you add all this technology and you're not doubling the MPG after 40 years then why do it.

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jordan Campbell says:

    Noticed the anti theft on the computer said services I'm wondering what the outcome will be

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jordan Campbell says:

    I got a wrecked 2012 f150 fx4 ecoboost with 98,000 miles it cranked over when I got it then did all front end work and it wouldnt crank any more ended up having to jump the pcm power and run relay still driving it like that to this day. Well that's a lie I ran two switches to the cab it's like starting a race car lol I don't mind cause the price was very right lol.

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Wind Ward says:

    The switch to ground for the ignition control relay is an N-Channel MOSFET, but it will be accompanied by protection and status circuitry. Protection will be in the form of ESD and overload. Status in the form of a monitor circuit to confirm proper power, wire continuity and relay coil health.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars WhiskeyRiverRifleman says:

    I have fixed three of these with the same problem those customers were not as lucky as yours because the TDI failed in all the three I did

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Doug Tervo says:

    Eric if you can DO IT YOU Can DO IT. Thanks from U.P.of Mich.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shames AlRayyees says:

    how the Mr. customer figured it out ?

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Death Cooties says:

    Love to watch you do these. But how do you keep finding all those broken wires!? Wizardry!!

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris Crusader says:

    You never cease to amaze me.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Jankiewicz says:

    Correct wiring diagrams can save your hoo-ha!

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jdtractor man says:

    This is why the customers need to understand that "diagnostic" fees are necessary. You mentioned the time you had into this repair and just think how much was just finding wiring schematics and narrowing the problem down. All of that takes time and techs time is money too just like anyone else's.

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kathleen Kelly-Simpson says:

    Many many years ago… I had a Mercury Bobcat…. Looked like a Pinto… Did that power to all systems, but won't start garbage. A friend showed me the starter relay switch. It was on the firewall on the driver's side. He showed me how to start it with a screw driver, jumping the posts to get the starter to engage, so I could get from the grocery store to the parts store. Apparently, this was a super common failure on Fords. The relay switch was $4.00. I bought two!!!
    One day, I was out of state with that car, and came out of a gas station convenience store, and this young mother was crying outside her FORD that would not start, all of a sudden. She was a single mom, on her own.
    As I drive old cars, I carry a tool kit. I tested the screw driver method on her relay. The car started.
    So I decided I bought that extra relay for a reason. It took 10 minutes to change HER relay. I think it only had the 3 wire connection bolts, and 3 to attach it to the firewall.
    Having a complete stranger hug you while sobbing is priceless.
    I showed her the trick, and told her these parts go bad all the time, for any future failures. $4.00 well spent!!!!

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars s pin says:

    Merry Christmas!

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave Dennis says:

    I think it's the human element that we just hope it\s a relay and we can just replace that part and not have to hunt in those back corners for that illusive broken wire. Totally amazing work, Mr O.

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars wazza33racer says:

    omg……..is that the worst battery location or what…………..

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars grey says:

    One more time, the wire wizard strikes. lol

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SoCal Realtor says:

    First problem is it’s a newer Ford😢

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hayward's Automotive says:

    Nice diagnosis & repair! Congratulations on 750K subscribers. You have helped me get thru all my days fighting my cancer by enjoying your videos. I wasn't able to work on cars for the last 3 years but it was like I was watching you. I am cancer free now thanks to stem cells from my brother & the medical staff at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit & God! Hopefully next year I'll be back to fishing & working on cars again! Thanks again for your videos!!

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nigel Dancey says:

    Mr O a few videos ago you said that you were no expert in auto electrics, once again you have quickly dispelled that myth, great video !!

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars GMAN says:

    All that for another Broken Wire !! 😁😁

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jacque Jecker says:

    Another fantastic diagnosis.

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alison Rahn says:

    what was the problem? or problems?

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob McDoggish says:

    That's an amazing repair!

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Arathull6076 says:

    great video, been watching your stuff when i was just a jr tech many years ago and still as informative today and much to learn. thanks for making great videos

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ryan Taube says:

    The man period!

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Voltage Drop Diagnostics says:

    Great find Eric! Thanks for sharing!

  50. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard Warnock says:

    Crusty Wire Madness

  51. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Moefuggerr says:

    Excellent troubleshooting. I do that all day on different equipment. Cool to see someone else doing it.

  52. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! Bill Malec says:

    I think you need to hire the owner. Lol.

  53. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robin Sattahip says:

    If I were a mouse I'd only eat Toyotas and Lexus. Like fine sushi.

  54. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cephas Rodgers says:

    Another great video Mr O. Love the way you systematically break it down and follow the clues. Your spidey sense is slipping a bit though as once you suspect a broken wire you normally find it a little bit quicker 😉

  55. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Almost Zen says:

    I wonder if people who watch the channel that live locally send in their cars to see if you can fix things they break on purpose..

  56. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Melvin Jones says:

    The green crust strikes again. What a crazy place for a battery . If it leaks its all over for the car. Good show.

  57. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tired old mechanic says:

    I was wondering where you were going this time because it seems that your normal powers and grounds method should have gotten you there sooner. You found out which systems weren't powered, or actually the owner did. Then you found the relay that powers them. After that it was finding out why that wasn't working again checking powers and grounds. You had two powers at the relay so it was down to a ground that was provided by the BCM. Then you checked to see if th BCM was providing that ground to the wire. They should put LED lights on the relays to show when the coil is powered and when there is output power.

  58. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alan Hall says:

    I am amazed how often you come across the broken wire you are hunting. "The Wire Whisperer" 😂 Another solved mystery. In another life, you would have been fantastic programmer because you understand logical reasoning. I bet you are pretty good at math too. Watching you hunt down these mysteries in a blast. Very cool Eric. As they would say back around the time I was born, right on, man. Keep them coming sir. Excellent work!

  59. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robin Sattahip says:

    If he could figure out that trick to get it started he obviously knows something about cars. I thought only a Mercedes or a BMW could produce that many codes.

  60. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Darker Binding says:

    Wow, so lucky that was not back under the battery tray. Good job on the diagnosis.

  61. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars LS1LE says:

    Yes, you got a head start on diag, but you went backwards and forwards to verify. It’s always nice to watch a great technician!

  62. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DouglasH says:

    Hi Eric, anyone that watches SMA knows you Sir are not a hack,and if they call you a hack WHOOOOOOOOOO CARES! They are missing something between their ears. As usual nice job Eric!

  63. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Christopher Townley says:

    WELL DONE!!

  64. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars UA7Pyro says:

    Junk CAN systems from Ford

  65. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris Gabbert says:

    My first thought was green crusty on one wire and you found it 👍.

  66. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris says:

    Seriously, is there anything more sensitive in the Youtube auto repair community than crimping vs. soldering?? My god the amount of people who get so spun up over that! Looneys.

  67. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard Vastine says:

    Always interesting. Always professional. Always educational. Always ethical.

  68. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars marcus motors says:

    I've seen Ford factory installed zip ties nick wires before

  69. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars George Reiss says:

    These really remind me of my time in the Navy. I was an FC (Fire Controlman) and some faults would drive us nuts. Most solutions would be found either by trying to explain it to someone on the smoke deck or you would bolt up out of a dead sleep with the answer. I guess the take away from that is don't let a fault drive you nuts, take a break and let the brain static die down.

  70. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 89hondaguysi says:

    Great Diag and method of following what you know – it's easy to get overwhelmed and to overthink stuff.

  71. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roger Chevelle says:

    Great Diag Eric O. You do make Electrical look easy. Experience pays. Thanks for the great video.👍

  72. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Vernon Bruce says:

    Great job Eric!

  73. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Guy Smiley says:

    In this video: Eric O. successfully resists the siren song of the Parts Cannon.

  74. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Berndt says:

    Diagnosis complete @ South Main Electrical Engineering. Time to scrub out and Meditate ♎️ Ohm, OM, OM

  75. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ku5700 says:

    your good!!

  76. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bryan Toth says:

    When it comes to finding bad wires and connections, you are the GOAT.

  77. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Art Stone says:

    Let's file this under self-inflicted. I sure hope this person does not subsequently blame you for everything else that goes wrong with the car

  78. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars plkracer says:

    Looks like a loose battery did some damage at one point.

  79. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ping Pong says:

    Did the owner damage the wire in the first place?

  80. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nater Salad88 says:

    I'd like to buy one of your south main black hoodies but how come it doesn't say south main auto on the front like the ones you wear do??? I was gonna order one til I saw that on the 'spring' advertisement under the video

  81. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars KEN PECORA says:

    The master of the broken wire.

  82. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mzimm460 says:

    I strangled 117 cats watching this! Throw that pos in the junk yard!

  83. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave LaFaille says:

    "That will change our focus", I thought you were working on a Escape…lol

  84. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Xombi Xombi says:

    Pay Eric to put almost all of it together, that has anything to do with electricity, to ensure the car works. Penny wise and pound foolish to do otherwise. . It really is 3/4 of your time spent on research, testing, putting a hypothesis together, checking that, and maybe 1/4 on the physical work. Almost an Ivan NPR solution.(It did need a connector) Your channel and others have changed a lifetime of wishing, hoping,spending, and praying diagnostics into evidence based decisions. Thanks.

  85. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric H says:

    Amazing that the one wire was the culprit. I think in other shops someone would of been paying out the nose for the parts cannon, and eventually told they cannot figure it out.

  86. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars kickazz 12 says:

    I love videos like these im trying to get more into electrical at the dealership I work at I am waiting to go to electrical school now but you are the man eric

  87. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Reuel Blackwell says:

    Hey Would it now be easier to just rerun a new wire and clip the old one?

  88. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stan Galoski says:

    That was an awesome video! So much more satisfying than wrenching in an alternator. 3 hours of shop time well spent for the customer.

  89. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Phillip Fritz says:

    Fantastic diagnostics troubleshooting skills!

  90. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jonkeau says:

    Generally if it was running perfect and I randomly can’t get it to start and it doesn’t seem like a specific component to point to, first thing I do is swap the fan relay to ignition (usually the same relay), if it works I go to the store and get a new relay… had more than a couple relays go out on me!

  91. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Wood says:

    Do you keep a file on the cars that you do troubleshooting on and keep all the print’s that you used for troubleshooting.??

  92. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars A Day says:

    I guess my question is, if you knew that this car had wiring problems in that area from prior experience, why not look at them first? Seems the logical thing to do considering the fact that you knew the issue was somewhere in the vicinity of that relay. When society collapses under the weight of making things that intricate we can all go back to horse and cart and forget wiring.

  93. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steve C says:

    What a wonderful world it would be if everyone relied on evidence and logic. Another good job Eric! Please run for office. Hahahahaha

  94. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jon Miner says:

    Hi, Mr. O. Another case of the SMA Detective in action. But this time, the crime scene had been ravaged by looky-loos and their inlaws. Anyway, thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!.

  95. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris Higdon says:

    good job sir always a learning video Chris H

  96. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Quast says:

    Now you wonder how many more problems the guy will have created in the future with all the poking and hoping that’s been done

  97. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ricky Gransee says:

    Another grest video!

  98. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tim Carlyle says:

    always amazed where u finding the bad area of the wiring

  99. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars vacationism says:

    Good Job again

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