MaineFusion in the shop for failed restraint control module

[MaineFusion]

Did you get confirmation that you got the redesigned part?

The Ford customer service manager told me that parts were held up for everyone because they had to wait for the new parts to become available. Since the recall was issued one day after I got my car back and the part had been constantly back ordered, I'm pretty sure Ford had pulled all the old parts from their supply chain. I can't prove it with any 100% certainty, but I'd be really surprised if Ford allowed one of the old versions of this part to get shipped to a dealer.

 

 

On a separate note, one thing that I have noticed since the RCM was replaced is that my collision avoidance alarm has become really twitchy. I've had go off several times for polls that would be in the path of travel if I weren't going into a curve. I hadn't seen that happen since several months after first getting my FFH. This makes me believe the new RCM might be "learning" when such things actually pose a risk.

[Waldo]

The Ford customer service manager told me that parts were held up for everyone because they had to wait for the new parts to become available. Since the recall was issued one day after I got my car back and the part had been constantly back ordered, I'm pretty sure Ford had pulled all the old parts from their supply chain. I can't prove it with any 100% certainty, but I'd be really surprised if Ford allowed one of the old versions of this part to get shipped to a dealer.

 

 

On a separate note, one thing that I have noticed since the RCM was replaced is that my collision avoidance alarm has become really twitchy. I've had go off several times for polls that would be in the path of travel if I weren't going into a curve. I hadn't seen that happen since several months after first getting my FFH. This makes me believe the new RCM might be "learning" when such things actually pose a risk.

 

The RCM doesn't have anything to do with the collision warning system. It contains the accelerometers that are used by the stability control system (and airbag system obviously) but shouldn't have anything to do with your issue.

[MaineFusion]

 

The RCM doesn't have anything to do with the collision warning system. It contains the accelerometers that are used by the stability control system (and airbag system obviously) but shouldn't have anything to do with your issue.

There is some kind of relationship between the two, because my collision warning system went out when my RCM failed and it is now alarming for stuff it never alarmed for before on roads I drive regularly.

[murphy]

If a failed module is corrupting the communication buss all kinds of strange errors can happen.

[GrySql]

FYI, the RCM is on HS2-CAN...

 

---

FTA:

 

High Speed Controller Area Network 1 and 2 (HS1-CAN, HS2-CAN)

The HS1-CAN and HS2-CAN operate at a maximum data transfer speed of 500 Kbps and are designed for real time powertrain and driver feature information transfer and control. Modules on the HS1-CAN and HS2-CAN communicate using bussed messages. The HS-CAN uses an unshielded twisted pair cable, data bus (+) and data bus (-) circuits. In addition to scan tool communication, the HS-CAN allows sharing of information between all modules on each HS-CAN.

With the addition of more modules, network traffic has increased. This has created the need for an additional HS-CAN to manage the increased bus data carried on each network.

The GWM is used as a gateway for the messages to transfer between the scan tool and the modules on the HS1-CAN and the modules on the HS2-CAN .

The scan tool communicates with the vehicle communication networks directly through the HS1-CAN and HS2-CAN.

 

 

 

Gateway Module

The GWM is mounted under the driver side instrument panel. The DLC is fitted to the GWM. The GWM acts as a central gateway to translate messages across all 4 vehicle controller area networks (CAN), and vice versa. The GWM is the only module on this vehicle with this ability. The GWM also serves as a termination module for each of the networks to which it is connected.

The 2 module communication networks connected to the DLC are HS-CAN1 and HS-CAN2. These 2 networks communicate directly with the diagnostic scan tool. The other 2 communication networks, HS-CAN3 and MS-CAN, communicate on the network, but do not communicate directly with the diagnostic scan tool. The GWM translates the messages from these 2 networks to the HS-CAN2, which transfers the signals to the diagnostic scan tool.

 

 

Edited October 12, 2014 by GrySql

[acdii]

I was at my dealer Saturday while the T got oil changed and tires rotated, along with the lighting TSB(which is another story, more on that later). The RCM is a popular malfunction. They have seen several dozen, including the SM own FFH. What happens is when the RCM fails, the PCM can't read it and goes into fail safe mode. All these systems tie in to one another at some point, and if one fails, it can bring the entire system down. The reason there is a shortage is they returned all units back to the distributor and have been testing each and every one, and ones that pass are shipped out.

[GrySql]

Wait, are you saying they told you that what is being put in the cars are the same OEM RCM units, just bench tested to prove they work?

The replacements are not a newly designed part?

 

BTW, the replacement Part Number just happens to be the same as the OEM part.

Edited October 13, 2014 by GrySql

[SteveB_TX]

BTW, the replacement Part Number just happens to be the same as the OEM part.

 

Where have we seen this before... oh yeah... the GM ignition switch debacle. OMG!

[acdii]

That was speculation on the SM part. He knows there is a huge delay in getting the parts, and it's his thought that they are doing this to get parts out until a new part is available. It most likely is a bad chip in the unit which can be detected with a test.

[Waldo]

If Ford knows enough to say that the parts in a car built on August 24th were bad but the ones put in a car on August 26th were good, then they know how to test the "bad" parts to be sure they are ok. If the change was in the manufacturing process at a supplier, the part number would not change. Manufacturing process changes happen all the time with no part number changes.

[corncobs]

...

It most likely is a bad chip in the unit which can be detected with a test.

In this case you have to ask why is such an important safety module not 100% circuit tested in the first place.

 

If they are tested 100% and it's a bad connection somewhere that fails over time it's unlikely they will find the bad ones.

[Zathrus]

This article contains some more details on the Restraint Control Module failure (that now appears to be affecting both Ford and Chrysler):

 

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1410-chrysler-ford-issue-recalls-for-supplemental-restraint-module/

[acdii]

Bad batch of Epoxy is what I got from that article. Easy enough to look for too.