socalkiki

My boyfriend is a mechanic & was checking a customers 2003 Crown Vic Police Interceptor w\ no brake lights.
When he was checking the pins on the wiring harness (under the left side kick panel) he slipped & crossed 2 pins\wires which created a very small spark. When he went to the next pin the headlights began flashing & the horn blaring as if he activated an alarm system. He disabled it by disconnecting the battery (tried to disarm "alarm" by unlocking the drivers door & by starting the car & neither worked). The owner of the car doesn't have an alarm system, key-less entry, key fob, theft light on the dash, nor, a drivers door module.
When he tried to start the car it wouldn't start. Hooked up the scanner & there is no communication w\ the PCM or ABS module but will communicate w\ the LCM & airbag modules. He has pressure to the fuel pump but no spark. Checked the injectors w\ his meter & he gets a flickering light.
He was able to start the car & it will run when he puts carb cleaner down its throat. He bypassed the PCM to the fuel pump & it still won't start.
He's checked all the fuses & wiring which check out fine.
He's out looking for a PCM at the bone yards now & if he can't find one, will try & have this one re-flashed. ($150.) Since it was running before he began working on it we'll have to bear the costs which we can truly not afford. In the meantime, the cars owner is a taxi driver & is losing work & is being fined daily for missing his 3 month inspection.
Does anybody have any input to what may have occurred &\or solutions to correct the problem? Thanks in advance & your time is greatly appreciated!!

Bert

Has he checked the fuses under the hood and under the dash? A small spark usually indicates a fuse.

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Bert

socalkiki

Hi Bert, Thanks so much for the rapid reply! Yes he has checked all the fuses at both location.
P.S. I had to modify my post as I erred in translating a couple of issues...sorry.

Bert

There has to be an alarm for the horn and lights to be triggered. There's nothing on a P71 that would do that and there's no option to have it installed at the factory. If an alarm was installed, it may have something to disable the fuel. As for the communication, here's the pinouts on the connector. Ford OBD-II diagnostic interface pinout and wiring @ pinoutsguide.com

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Bert

socalkiki

Thanks for the pinout Bert. He was able to repeat "activating the alarm" many times with these steps:
Connector C213 - grey & blk (lower left kick panel), wire #14
With the connector disconnected, the key off & using a power probe, when he lightly touched the pin it activated flashing headlights & honking of the horn for 4 minutes & he could turn it off by inserting the key.
Might anybody know what that connector\wire is for? Also, could he have this computer re-flashed? If not, am I correct that a used computer from a 2003 P71 could be used in this car but would require a trip to the dealership for them to load the car specific info (vin., mileage, etc.)?
Thanks again!

Bert

Pin #14 on connector C213 is supposed to be violet/white. If the car is a P71, they never had an alarm. It has to have been added. If the LCM is replaced, it will work as is and won't need programming. The PCM would have to be programmed.

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Bert

AlwaysFord

Make sure that when you are repairing these pins, that you do not have a PCM plugged in, and do not throw any carb cleaner down a fuel injected car anymore. A lot of people do it, but you can cause the car to reprogram itself doing that. If you have to, use some alcohol spray. You can get it in aerosol form at most paint sales stores.

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2001 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 (mine)
2003 Ford Focus SE (the wifey)

socalkiki

Thanks for the advice re: carb cleaner & the PCM, AlwaysFord.

In case anybody has else similar problems, the end result was the PCM. We found somebody on craigslist who parts out CVPI\Taxi's & got the PCM for $160. All the codes disappeared when he plugged it in & started right up.

Activation of "the alarm" is still a mystery. There were no other signs of a previous alarm system except for the tan wire in place of the violet.

Bert & AlwaysFord, thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. It's appreciated.

Bert

Glad you got it fixed. Thanks for the update.

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Bert