Taurus Interceptor TT Bad Smart Junction Box

[Thebobaloo]

Bought a 3.5TT AWD police interceptor about 2 years ago. Perfect car zero complaints. Never really had any major issues with it until recently.

Bought a new house and had car backed into sloped driveway during a rainstorm. Got into the car about an hour into the storm to find water on the floor and water dripping from the top of the cowl on the SBJ. I quickly got a towel over the top of the box and soaked up as much water as possible. Pulled the car nose first into the garage put windows down and turned up the heater to try and dry out. 24 hours later I take the car out for a ride pulled to an ATM. As im doing my thing car dies (never does this). Lights on the dash (for awd, servicetrac control etc) cycled the key it started back up. Continuing for a few weeks it would continue to do this until finally one morning it would start and run for only about 30 seconds and shut off.

At this point I assumed that the SBJ was the issue. I found a website that supposedly rebuilt modules (couldn’t find new ones and wasn’t sure how to locate a new one) sent it to the company just for them to deny it because they don’t actually work on that specific module (not because of the water damage). So I hit the chat GPT and found an identical module with exact part number out of a 2014 TT Police interceptor (same year as mine). $120 and 1 week it was at my house. Put in tried to run PMI in for-scan (not available) so I put the old module in and got it started. luckily it held out and got it to a local ford dealer. Asked them to program the module. 24 hours goes by they call and tell me they aren’t sure if its the right module, they can’t tell me what the right module is, and they can’t help me find a used one. They also couldn’t program the module. They told me the only thing I can do is “trial and error” (his exact words) They put it back together and told me to come get the car they weren’t charging me anything for it, but they can’t fix it.

Question to anyone knowledgeable about these modules and fords…am I stuck with a boat anchor? Surely there has to be a way I can fix this.


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[SHOrod]

With Forscan are you able to pull the SJB part number and version information? I've seen that information in my Autel so I'm guessing that Forscan can as well. Although I would have thought Ford could do this as well.

Also, with Forscan have you done a complete system scan to see if there are other diagnostic codes that might hint at a problem other than the SJB?

A few years ago I replaced the ABS module on my 2013 MKS with the same part number. Even though the part number was the same, some of the configuration was different. I learned about a Ford site that surprisingly didn't require a subscription which was able to provide me with all the "production codes" for the various modules. I have a feeling that I'm not using the correct term for the codes, but I remember going into the ABS module with my Autel, setting those configuration parameters, and everything worked fine.

In that case though I was able to access the module. It sounds a bit like you and Ford are struggling to even access the new SJB, is that correct? Does Forscan display the CAN topology map, and if so, is the SJB showing up on it?

-Rod

 

[Thebobaloo]

You’re probably talking about the as built data you can get from the motor-craft site. Which is something I will need to do via forscan to get all the little stuff like dark car mode back. What I really need them to do is do a PMI. Programmable Module Installation. So the SBJ/BCM has the vin of my car. Not the donor car. Otherwise it won’t recognize it.

So essentially if I put the new SJB in the car I can’t load into forscan unless I use my previous save file. But then of course it gives me the as built data and engineering/service codes for the original SBJ/BCM.

What im struggling with is the fact they can’t tell me what part I need. They would do it but apparently I have the wrong module. Simply I think because they couldn’t get the PMI done. I just picked the car up and the service manager told me they don’t know what part I need because they can’t buy it new and they won’t help me find a used replacement.

Essentially im trying to figure out how or if I can find the correct replacement.


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[Thebobaloo]

You’re probably talking about the as built data you can get from the motor-craft site. Which is something I will need to do via forscan to get all the little stuff like dark car mode back. What I really need them to do is do a PMI. Programmable Module Installation. So the SBJ/BCM has the vin of my car. Not the donor car. Otherwise it won’t recognize it.

So essentially if I put the new SJB in the car I can’t load into forscan unless I use my previous save file. But then of course it gives me the as built data and engineering/service codes for the original SBJ/BCM.

What im struggling with is the fact they can’t tell me what part I need. They would do it but apparently I have the wrong module. Simply I think because they couldn’t get the PMI done. I just picked the car up and the service manager told me they don’t know what part I need because they can’t buy it new and they won’t help me find a used replacement.

Essentially im trying to figure out how or if I can find the correct replacement.


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Ill also say that when I do load in forscan it throws a bunch of BCM codes using the save file. So it’s somewhat recognizing the module.


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[SHOrod]

Yep, the As-Built Module Build Data (https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt/).

Are you saying that PMI is not an available option in Forscan, or it's there it's just not working for the replacement module?

-Rod