B1201 U0256 trouble codes

Good morning,

The 1201 is about your audio controls on the steering wheel. The most common failure for this issue is the clock spring under the steering wheel.

The U code, do you have navigation?

Roy

Information and Entertainment System

Pinpoint Tests

Pinpoint Test F: The Steering Wheel Controls Are Inoperative/Do Not Operate Correctly

Refer to Wiring Diagram Set 130 (Escape/Mariner, Escape Hybrid/Mariner Hybrid), Audio/Navigation for schematic and connector information. See: Vehicle > Electrical > Diagrams By Number

Normal Operation

There are 4 different steering wheel controls configurations:

- Non-navigation, without the SYNC system
- VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, SEEK+, MEDIA
- All switches are wired to the Audio Control Module (ACM).

- Non-navigation, with the SYNC system
- VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, SEEK+, VOICE, MEDIA, PHONE, OK
- The VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, and SEEK+ switches are wired to the ACM. The remaining switches are wired to the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM).

- Navigation, without the SYNC system
- VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, SEEK+, VOICE, MEDIA
- All switches are wired to the ACM.

- Navigation, with the SYNC system
- VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, SEEK+, VOICE, MEDIA, PHONE
- All switches are wired to the ACM.

Voltage is sent from the APIM (or ACM) to the steering wheel controls, and the same module grounds the return circuit. The VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, and SEEK+ switches share signal and return circuits, while the VOICE, MEDIA, PHONE, and OK switches share separate signal and return circuits.

For all configurations, when a switch is pressed, the voltage is routed through a specific resistor value for each function. The ACM (or APIM) then uses the reference voltage to determine which control input function has been selected.

B11BA:1C-B2404
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This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:

- Wiring, terminals or connectors
- Clockspring
- Steering wheel controls
- ACM
- APIM

PINPOINT TEST F: THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE INOPERATIVE/DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY

NOTICE: Use the correct probe adapter(s) when making measurements. Failure to use the correct probe adapter(s) may damage the connector.

F1 DETERMINE THE INOPERATIVE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS

- Determine which steering wheel controls are inoperative by pressing each steering wheel control switch individually while operating the audio system in various modes (AM/FM, SYNC (if equipped), etc.).
- Is the concern with the VOL-, VOL+, SEEK-, SEEK+, or MEDIA switch?

Yes
GO to F2.

No
GO to F3.

F2 MONITOR THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL PIDs (EXCEPT NAVIGATION/SYNC SWITCHES)

- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: ACM DataLogger.
- Monitor the steering wheel controls PIDs while pressing each steering wheel controls switch as follows:

Are these active codes or inactive codes? The PCM have log term memory and still show the code but inactive.

Roy

Okay, they are active. It is an electrical fault if they come right back. It may be the clock spring but you need to get it confirmed to be sure.

Roy

You will need an advanced scan tool to monitor the live data of the switches.

Do you have an advanced scan tool?

Roy

Okay, then follow the diagnostic I posted in the beginning.

Roy

That is a data logger, you cannot replace that. It is part of your scan tool, BCM, PCM and all the other modules.

Roy