Ford Escape: Customer Threw In The Towel - No Start, No Crank
video description
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!
Date: 2022-11-28
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Comments and reviews: 14
Joseph
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
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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
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TheDigitaldoug
WOW, a man with common sense and a truly cohesive ability to understand troubleshooting. Such an ability is sorely missing in much of the technical world. As a retired network engineer, I have seen massive failures because people had no foundation level understanding of the systems they worked on, and thusly failed when attempting to troubleshot.
A truly firm understanding is always needed to troubleshoot and repair. This is why those who use the parts canon approach fail so miserably.
Talent of this man's caliber is never compensated adequately by the bean counters running much of American business. Such an individual is worth ten of the typical mechanics in today's dealerships or garages, yet they are marginally compensated.
It's obvious that this man felt what I have mentioned and is the go-to guy when customers get fed up with the incompetency found in most of the mainline establishments.
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WOW, a man with common sense and a truly cohesive ability to understand troubleshooting. Such an ability is sorely missing in much of the technical world. As a retired network engineer, I have seen massive failures because people had no foundation level understanding of the systems they worked on, and thusly failed when attempting to troubleshot.
A truly firm understanding is always needed to troubleshoot and repair. This is why those who use the parts canon approach fail so miserably.
Talent of this man's caliber is never compensated adequately by the bean counters running much of American business. Such an individual is worth ten of the typical mechanics in today's dealerships or garages, yet they are marginally compensated.
It's obvious that this man felt what I have mentioned and is the go-to guy when customers get fed up with the incompetency found in most of the mainline establishments.
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Ian
I always find it amusing the amount of wire in modern cars. When CANBUS was first talked about for cars, their were people going on about how cars would just have a power bus and a network wire, and all sensors and outputs would be wired by short links to network nodes. virtually no wiring! Doesn't seem to have worked out that way, we're still chasing around looking for broken wires and bad connections, except there's a hundred times the number and they're smaller and more tucked away than before. Mind you car electronics is also way more complex, so I guess thats the price you pay for convenience. At least the various computers now monitor things and are able to give clues to where the faults are, even if sometimes they are a bit cryptic.
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I always find it amusing the amount of wire in modern cars. When CANBUS was first talked about for cars, their were people going on about how cars would just have a power bus and a network wire, and all sensors and outputs would be wired by short links to network nodes. virtually no wiring! Doesn't seem to have worked out that way, we're still chasing around looking for broken wires and bad connections, except there's a hundred times the number and they're smaller and more tucked away than before. Mind you car electronics is also way more complex, so I guess thats the price you pay for convenience. At least the various computers now monitor things and are able to give clues to where the faults are, even if sometimes they are a bit cryptic.
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Tired
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.
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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.
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jeff803
So funny, story, I picked up an Autel recently and after watching Eric O, I didn't recall seeing the topology view on my device. Not surprising, the topology view is only available on the higher end devices, not the 400 one I picked up. Eric's use led me in the direction to pick up an Autel, MK-808S within my hobbiest budget. It's already paid for itself and then some diagnosing issues on my 16 year olds first car. Eric, it would be great if you dropped more insight on occasion on the tools you use and why. Your videos are always great; very informative, and your knack to find bad wires is world class
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So funny, story, I picked up an Autel recently and after watching Eric O, I didn't recall seeing the topology view on my device. Not surprising, the topology view is only available on the higher end devices, not the 400 one I picked up. Eric's use led me in the direction to pick up an Autel, MK-808S within my hobbiest budget. It's already paid for itself and then some diagnosing issues on my 16 year olds first car. Eric, it would be great if you dropped more insight on occasion on the tools you use and why. Your videos are always great; very informative, and your knack to find bad wires is world class
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Mike
Bet there isn't no entry in ye ole shop labor book for your scientific analectic approach to finding a severed circuit wire in cars that probably have a mile or more of wiring plus electronic plugs, modules, relays, sensors, fuses, bad grounded 115# bulbs, a switch whos dependences to turn off a light relies on a small plastic ridge to turn it off, if it doesn't it's a drain on your battery.
I'd say Mr. O that your expertise deserves more cash then your asking for your skills knowledge in this area. My gosh Sir! I think Elon Musk wouldn't hesitate to hire you on, say 500, 000 a year
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Bet there isn't no entry in ye ole shop labor book for your scientific analectic approach to finding a severed circuit wire in cars that probably have a mile or more of wiring plus electronic plugs, modules, relays, sensors, fuses, bad grounded 115# bulbs, a switch whos dependences to turn off a light relies on a small plastic ridge to turn it off, if it doesn't it's a drain on your battery.
I'd say Mr. O that your expertise deserves more cash then your asking for your skills knowledge in this area. My gosh Sir! I think Elon Musk wouldn't hesitate to hire you on, say 500, 000 a year
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Bill
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.
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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.
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Alan
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!
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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!
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Mike
I really enjoy these electrical diagnostic jobs. Makes you think! Sometimes the answer comes quickly and if Ivan were here it would be No Parts Required! Thank you again for this video.
It never ceases to amaze me how one small, simple item (that wire) can completely shut down the whole vehicle! That type of problem is here to stay being the nature of the beast (LOTS OF ELECTRICAL.
Good one Mr. O!
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I really enjoy these electrical diagnostic jobs. Makes you think! Sometimes the answer comes quickly and if Ivan were here it would be No Parts Required! Thank you again for this video.
It never ceases to amaze me how one small, simple item (that wire) can completely shut down the whole vehicle! That type of problem is here to stay being the nature of the beast (LOTS OF ELECTRICAL.
Good one Mr. O!
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Zippy
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.
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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.
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autos
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.
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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.
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George
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.
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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.
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Jordan
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.
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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.
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Private
Eric's content is probably the best educational content available and presented very well. I have attended almost all forms of training available from a 2 year college course to GM training back when it was a live in person classroom with Instructors. Eric and his explanations are much better! Eric makes the diagnosis almost hands on for the viewer.
reply
Eric's content is probably the best educational content available and presented very well. I have attended almost all forms of training available from a 2 year college course to GM training back when it was a live in person classroom with Instructors. Eric and his explanations are much better! Eric makes the diagnosis almost hands on for the viewer.
reply
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