No crank after detail and seat removal

JIM JACKSON2

MEMBER
2009 FORD TAURUS
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
15,300 MILES

Yesterday I decided to do a deep clean. I removed the front seats and cleaned everything. I was careful not to break or get connectors wet. Today I put the seats in and went to start it. The radio and lights turn on but it doesn’t crank. I tried to jump start it and that didn’t help. The gauge cluster does nothing. Not even odometer. The air bag light flashes for a second but that’s it. I have no clue where to go next. Thank you in advance.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

Does the starter engage when you turn the key or does nothing happen? The only thing in the passenger compartment is the smart junction box (fuse box). It's under the left side of the dash. Is there any possibility that it got wet? Also, what was disconnected under the seats?
If you look at the first two pics below, it shows the entire schematic for the instrument panel. In the first pic, I highlighted a fuse. I need you to check it. In addition to checking the fuse, make sure there is power to and from it. Here is a link that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Also, pic 3 shows the fuse location in the SJB.

If the fuse is good, I next need you to load test the battery. There is a chance in someway it was drained with things disconnected. It's just a thought at this point. Here is a link that shows how to load test the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

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Friday, April 30th, 2021 AT 9:53 PM

JIM JACKSON2

MEMBER
21 POSTS

Joe,

Thank you for the reply. Any ideas are welcome. When I turn the key there is no sound from the starter area and no buzzing sound typical as you might hear with a weak or dead battery. The only sound when I try to crank it is a single click from the ignition inside the steering column. I would think there was little to no chance of the fuse box or wiring getting wet. I mean it's always a possibility right? But I really don't think so. I will have to load test the battery in the morning. As well as checking power to and from and report.

New information as I have put a few more hours into troubleshooting today. The airbag light flashes and then goes solid and stays on the. I accidently hit the hazard lights and they work but there is no sound. So I checked the blinkers and they work but no sound and I noticed there's no door chime. Not sure if this means anything.

Also my scanner was showing no trouble codes until I went in the system tests and ran it. It then came back with the following codes:

U0155-20
U0155-E0
B1596-20
P1000-FF
P1260-FF

It definitely seems the PCM and instrument cluster are not communicating. Hope this info helps and I will report back in the morning when I can check the items you suggested. Again thank you.

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Friday, April 30th, 2021 AT 10:14 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

Was anything left disconnected? I looked through the codes. Some seem not related, and others are specific to the seats/security and so on.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, May 1st, 2021 AT 7:43 PM

JIM JACKSON2

MEMBER
21 POSTS

Sorry for the delay in reply. It was a busy weekend. So I tested voltage on both sides of the fuse in question and it showed 13v on each side. I also load tested the battery and it is fine based on voltmeter and headlights not fluctuating.

I unhooked 2 connectors on each seat one for airbag and one for electronic movement as well as the passenger seat has an electrical connector next to wear the seat belt bolts to the seat but the drivers side does not have this connector. They are plugged in an I have reseated the connecters a couple of times. Those connectors mentioned were the only things disconnected during the detail and I was careful and wrapped them to make sure the would not get wet.

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Monday, May 3rd, 2021 AT 7:02 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Honestly, this is a tough one simply because you did nothing to cause the problem.

If I had your vehicle in my shop, I would start at the beginning of the diagnostics for a no-crank condition. They are extensive, but hopefully, you find the problem before getting to the end.

Take a look through them and let me know if you are comfortable performing the directions. Do one thing at a time to confirm there is no problem.

To help, here is a link that focuses on a no-crank condition:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If you look at the attachments below, I included the diagnostics specific to your vehicle. It is extensive. However, a few of the things you have already done.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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