roadkill401 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 I purchased a 2013 Edge two years ago off lease from a local ford dealership. I thought it was going to be a great car but reality plays a totally different path. The car came with the GPS system installed, but it seems that getting this to work properly has been an issue. It has been back into the dealership several times and I have just come to know that the GPS really isn't a GPS after all. It is good for a map but not knowing where you actually are. Now I have the issue with the climate control not being able to communicate. Sadly, I am out of warranty and left with the aftermath of this. I am told it is the FCIM that is defective, but from Ford, they say this is not a stocked item that Ford Parts carries and must be special ordered from the manufacturer who happens not to have any stock. So it will take between 4-6 weeks to get the part. The sad bit about this is this module controls quite a few thing, like: -the climate inside the car. without it working you get no controls and the default here in Canada is for defog on full heat. Might be ok in the winter, but not any bit of fun in summer time. -the passenger seat airbag sensor. So your airbag safety system now no longer works. Major safety system is now compremised -the volume control on your radio also is part of this. So you get to listen to the radio at full blast without any hope of turning it down. -also that same volume control is the on/off, and trust my luck, it has decided that it wants to be stuck in the ON position. So I have ownership of a car that really you cannot drive, and Ford has taken the side that sorry, it's your problem! Ford? NEVER AGAIN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwf78155 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 Sounds like a 70K ZO6 Corvette I bought new...... First the steering locked and could not turn even with the car running then Climate control system would blow AC out of the passenger side but since it was sensing cold air....(you guessed it) heat out of the driver side. then water leaking from under the dash onto the floormats as soon as I got it back after the last issue...I sold it ! My Ford Edge Sport has been fantastic and aside from two recalls...no issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 Sounds like time to find another dealer to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 Sadly, it sounds a lot more like trying to find a decent garage that can find me an off market or second hand FCIM and get it installed for cheep and then decide if it's worth the risk to keep driving this car or see how much i can flog it for and move to something more reliable. Ford has sadly turned into their own worst enemy. And I look at the rantings of your US president when he in a speech went on about why nobody buys American cars. I think I know that answer now. It's not the fault of the worker who puts the cars together. They do try their best and for the most part do a good job. But it's the company they work for that undercuts the quality and sacrifices the customer in the name of greed and profit. People don't buy USA cars because they know they are just going to get crap in the long run. You might luck out and get one that works. but heaven forbid you get one that breaks, it will end up costing you far more than simply buying a foreign car to begin with. It seems Ford is selling to the millennial who wants todays trend and will lease for 2-3 years and move to the next new thing. It costs money to build something to last, so cut out and skimp to maximize profit as who cares if it lasts beyond that time frame. The sucker is the person who is loyal and wants to keep a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbczyk84 Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 (edited) I purchased a 2013 Edge two years ago off lease from a local ford dealership. I thought it was going to be a great car but reality plays a totally different path. The car came with the GPS system installed, but it seems that getting this to work properly has been an issue. It has been back into the dealership several times and I have just come to know that the GPS really isn't a GPS after all. It is good for a map but not knowing where you actually are. Now I have the issue with the climate control not being able to communicate. Sadly, I am out of warranty and left with the aftermath of this. I am told it is the FCIM that is defective, but from Ford, they say this is not a stocked item that Ford Parts carries and must be special ordered from the manufacturer who happens not to have any stock. So it will take between 4-6 weeks to get the part. The sad bit about this is this module controls quite a few thing, like: -the climate inside the car. without it working you get no controls and the default here in Canada is for defog on full heat. Might be ok in the winter, but not any bit of fun in summer time. -the passenger seat airbag sensor. So your airbag safety system now no longer works. Major safety system is now compremised -the volume control on your radio also is part of this. So you get to listen to the radio at full blast without any hope of turning it down. -also that same volume control is the on/off, and trust my luck, it has decided that it wants to be stuck in the ON position. So I have ownership of a car that really you cannot drive, and Ford has taken the side that sorry, it's your problem! Ford? NEVER AGAIN! From my own experiance with our 2011 Edge, and 2013 Taurus SHO #1 Ford is TOTALY useless in any assistance outside of warrenty, yes sure, technically it's not theirproblem. However, in my case at least, they don't care. #2 this may or may not help you. Check your battery, yes as in my case, the Edge was doing all sorts of idiotic electronic faults. HVAC, Nav, even the hazards would randomly come on. I do have an extended warrenty which has paid out over $1,200 in "system updates" to resolve these issues. Never resolved anything to be honest. Well, no one ever suggested a new battery, that being several dealerships that I took it to. One day, early this year, I found the date of manufacture sticker on the back of the battery. It was 10/11. Even though the old battery tested OK, the amount of electronics in these vehicles requires a good battery to function. Being over 5 years old, I purchased a new battery. To my surprise (not really) not a single issue, for about 6 months anyway. The newest issue I had, the SYNC system, Nav mainly, freezing up. My remedy was something I found long ago. If you chose to do this, note I will not be held responsible if you fry your car! It's not a difficult process but if you F up, you will definitely short out everything... Disconect both battery cables, put a towel over the battery, or even remove it from the vehicle completely. You'll need to connect the positive and negative cables together. Again make sure while doing this, you do NOT touch the connected cables to the positive battery terminal!!! What this does is, totaly drains any power, therefore memory from all modules. Once done, everything works flawlessly now. Sorry this is a long post, and in your case, maybe your issues go deeper than my vehicle, but I'd suggest you give it a shot. If your battery is original, your Edge being a 2013, probably is. Replace it with a new one, while doing so try the process mentioned above, before you install the new battery. Hope this is of some value to you or anyone else that may experiance issues of this nature. Edited June 8, 2017 by Gbczyk84 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tightanium Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 I'm so glad you told us your Edge is having some technical issues. You've convinced me to sell all four of my perfect Fords. Because you know Toyotas would never not stock a part and would have any part you need immediately. I know you're mad (as I would be) but not every manufacturers can have 100 % of their cars leave the factory perfect. Things break. It's a fact of life. If it makes you feel better, after they fix it get rid of it. Nobody is going to make you keep it. Sorry about ranting back but coming to a forum to try convince people that Fords are worthless isn't going to work. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 ... I am told it is the FCIM that is defective, but from Ford, they say this is not a stocked item that Ford Parts carries and must be special ordered from the manufacturer who happens not to have any stock. So it will take between 4-6 weeks to get the part. The sad bit about this is this module controls quite a few thing, like: -the climate inside the car. without it working you get no controls and the default here in Canada is for defog on full heat. Might be ok in the winter, but not any bit of fun in summer time. -the passenger seat airbag sensor. So your airbag safety system now no longer works. Major safety system is now compremised -the volume control on your radio also is part of this. So you get to listen to the radio at full blast without any hope of turning it down. -also that same volume control is the on/off, and trust my luck, it has decided that it wants to be stuck in the ON position. DI'd you mean the "FICM"? If so, the Fuel Injection Control Module is repairable for around $120. However it had nothing to do with the climate control or radio, or passenger airbag, or turn signals or anything else besides tbe fuel injectors. Perhaps I misienterperted and there is indeed a FCIM that actually controls the radio and HVAC and airbags. What exactly is the FCIM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 The GPS on my '11 Limited works exactly as a GPS should. Sorry to hear you are having so many issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 You need this or this based on what your Edge has. It is too bad that it failed, but you can easily find a god deal on a used replacement online or at a junkyard. I think the Explorer also uses the same panel, not 100% sure. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbczyk84 Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 You need this or this based on what your Edge has. It is too bad that it failed, but you can easily find a god deal on a used replacement online or at a junkyard. I think the Explorer also uses the same panel, not 100% sure. Edge, Taurus, Explorer and Flex are mechanically/electronically the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 I'm so glad you told us your Edge is having some technical issues. You've convinced me to sell all four of my perfect Fords. Because you know Toyotas would never not stock a part and would have any part you need immediately. I know you're mad (as I would be) but not every manufacturers can have 100 % of their cars leave the factory perfect. Things break. It's a fact of life. If it makes you feel better, after they fix it get rid of it. Nobody is going to make you keep it. Sorry about ranting back but coming to a forum to try convince people that Fords are worthless isn't going to work. The problem that i have is that this FCIM is a major component that controls the passenger seat sensor for the AirBag. The airbag is a mandated major safety function and without a working FCIM is totally disabled. I am not under the delusion that Ford needs to carry every part that can break for a car and have it available at the drop of a hat, but one would think and expect that mandated safety components would be carried. From reading more in this forum, it seems like this piece is a common part for multiple years and models of vehicles. So to carry a few of this part in stock would cover many potental customers. The dealer (who is probably talking out is ass, said that it's just a low failure rate product so they don't carry it. If this is the case, then having 10 stuck in a warehouse somewhere in North America should not be that difficult. But I think likely this is not the case and Ford just simply is not allocating enough spares to cover the demand. This is where I feel I have been let down by Ford. It's a 4 year old car. I believe they are mandated by the government to carry spare parts for a specified time (and I think it's at least 10 years). So they failed me. DI'd you mean the "FICM"? If so, the Fuel Injection Control Module is repairable for around $120. However it had nothing to do with the climate control or radio, or passenger airbag, or turn signals or anything else besides tbe fuel injectors. Perhaps I misienterperted and there is indeed a FCIM that actually controls the radio and HVAC and airbags. What exactly is the FCIM? Yes it is the FCIM. (front control interface module). Its for the controls on the front of the dash under the sync screen. The kicker is that is also has a small light to tell you if the passenger airbag is on or off. That LED is enough to take out all of the AirBag system if it can't communicate to turn it on or off. You need this or this based on what your Edge has. It is too bad that it failed, but you can easily find a god deal on a used replacement online or at a junkyard. I think the Explorer also uses the same panel, not 100% sure. Thank you for the links. It's the first one, and now at least I have the OEM part number. Sadly the dealership won't give them out even when you pay for the diagnostics. That is another reason for my distain right now for Ford. As I have a part number, I can at least phone around to junk yards to see if I can get the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 As far as I know, this part has many different part numbers, I don't why so many different variations, might be software/firmware issues, but all the posts I read (though few) that had them changed all claimed to have it as plug & play as long as it looks the same. Another thing, 2013-2014 models have a physical button for the Hazard flasher, so you might look for that better than 2011-2012 models. Finally, this part in no way affects the airbag operation, except for having an indicator for the status of the passenger side airbag (on or off based on passenger occupancy & weight) but never heard of it being part of the system. Disconnecting the panel does not cause the air bag light to come on, confirming it's not part of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tightanium Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 I don't think dealers have to stock every part for 10 years but I believe they will manufacture parts for up to 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWizard Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 There is no law that requires a manufacturer to provide replacement parts beyond the warranty period (actually, even that isn't mandated by law although manufacturers would much rather provide parts than replace vehicles for warranty claims). Of course, all will provide parts for some time after the warranty but which parts and how many to keep is merely a business decision. They make a decent markup on replacement parts and they want to have repeat customers so they will generally stock common parts and have a source to get less common parts that still sell (although lead time might be high). Some items (particularly accessories) will be discontinued almost immediately after the vehicle model is no longer being sold. Other parts may become available only as part of larger assemblies (e.g. headlight lenses that were originally available separately may become available only as part of a headlight assembly). Basically, if the manufacturer can stock it and sell it for a profit, they'll continue to do so. Otherwise, you might be out of luck. As omar said, your passenger airbag is not disabled just because the indicator light isn't working so this isn't a safety issue. Have you considered pulling the fuse for the sound system if the blaring volume is a problem? Similarly, I'm sure the defroster heat could be disabled as well. Not an ideal solution perhaps but probably better than roasting in your vehicle. Luckily the temperature is fairly mild this time of year in T.O. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 After multiple phone calls to the dealer that I went to for the diagnosis, I got the part number that they are saying that I need. It is a DT4T-18A802-BA. This is pretty similar to some of the full dash panels that were linked to in this thread. I have called around to many of the junk yards and their dealer network and up here they want close to $480 for the part. The number given from Ford was $640, and based on those numbers I am likely better off just to wait the 4-6 weeks and get a genuine part new. The second part to that is the bit about the airbag warning light. I have not gotten a clear answer from anyone as to if the FCIM does play any part to having this light turned on or not. I think that I will need to wait for Ford Corporate customer relations to get back to me as I have an open case with them. It would sting pretty bad if it turns out that something else went wrong (or got broken) from bringing the car into Ford for a diagnosis. Going in, the FCIM was intermittent in when you turned the car on, it would turn the temp to 24 and turn on the front defog but the controls were still active, and then after a few minutes it would fail and the controls would turn off. There were no other problems and nothing with the AirBag system. Looking on Ebay, I can find some of the front panels that others are selling. Sadly for me, all of them are located in the USA so I have and exchange rate, international shipping and dealing with duty and customs brokerage. It is the last two that are the most headache as all the courier companies seem to add significant up-charge as soon as Canada is involved. There might not be any actual duty but will be tax, but you end up paying easily $30+ for brokerage just to pay the 6% GST tax. This can raise the price of a $130 US part to $300cad. And I know that I am hesitant to DIY this repair. And this is for parts that are close but not exactly the one that is specified. I am also hesitant as if your read enought they talk about new software for the FCIM and if you are putting in different part numbers, could you be getting old or incompatible firmware/software for my edge that might cause additional issues down the road?? So it looks like I am stuck waiting for mid July early Aug to get my car fixed. With the weather we have it is impossible to drive with the blower heat turned on. I looked in the fuse section of the manual, and there is nothing listed as a fuse for front Defog. There is a 40amp fuse for a Blower. I gather that the whole heating/cooling system is run by a large blower that is directed by different flaps inside the car to direct the air. Does this blower just move air for heating/cooling or serve as a dual role? If the air is not blowing then the heat given off would be dramatically less. Not that I would be doing 2-3 hour drives. I am thinking likely short runs to buy groceries or to drop off and pick up my daughter from things like dance camp. But having a non working vehicle is costly in my life. Would pulling the blower fuse have any other effect on the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 Gave fuse 18 a pull so now at least the front defogger doesn't blow the hot air into the car. I will have to see if this is workable until i can get the part and get it fixed properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 What a difference a better dealership can make. I drove a bit more out of the way and went to the other Ford Dealership in my town. They were the total opposite to Kennedy Ford. They were friendly. The person at the parts desk went out of their way to help me out. Looked up the part and then figured out they even quoted me the wrong part number and no wonder why it was not available. The correct part number actually is available and is getting shipped up from the USA and should be here by Thursday morning hopefully. They have just in case, booked me for Friday to get me fixed up. they agreed that given my case, they would not require me to pay for another assessment diagnostic to get the work done. Still have not heard back from Ford Corporate about the case that I opened with them regarding Kennedy Ford last week. If I can get my car fixed and back working by the weekend, then it would do much towards restoring at least a bit of confidence back into the Ford brand. Only so much one can take, but it is totally right that you need to find a good dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 12, 2017 Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 It's important to remember that dealers are independent businesses and Ford really has no control over how they conduct their business in the states due to state auto franchise laws. I assume Canada is similar. It's to prevent the mfrs from bullying the dealers but it really just allows bad dealers to continue doing business and ruining the Ford name on their logo. Every time Ford has tried to impose higher customer service standards they get sued and lose in court. You really do have to shop around for a good dealer. If there are no good ones in your area you're screwed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted June 12, 2017 Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 I have called around to many of the junk yards and their dealer network and up here they want close to $480 for the part. The number given from Ford was $640, and based on those numbers I am likely better off just to wait the 4-6 weeks and get a genuine part new. If you could find a u-pull it typre place, you could probably walk out with it for $25 or so. Find the cheapest part called "module" or "computer" on their price chatr and tell them that's what it is. The people checking you out have no clue what every little electric part is on every vehicle made. They sure as hell won't know what a FCIM is for a 2013 Edge! Problem is finding a 2013 in a yard- they are too new and worth too much to get totaled out. I've seen exactly one Edge at our local pull and pay yard- it was a 2008 and was a base model with no options to speak of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Oh Oh was it a 2008 orange Edge SE with 300000 miles on it??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Young Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Can't damn Ford for a 'lemon'. We bought a new 2013 Edge Limited, had nothing but problems. The SYNC wouldn't work half the time, several other things too . Took it to our local Ford dealer many times. Wife crying (bought for her) about many things not working. Got tired of it and traded it for a new 2014 Edge Limited. Not one problem with the 2014 and couldn't be happier 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Thanks David. You are probably more than likely right. This is my 3rd ford. The first one was a 96 Explorer sport, and it had it's quirks but lasted me a good 12 years. I think it would have gone for much longer if it was not for a plastic switch part in the A/C controls that snapped and made it so the A/C would not turn on. The cost of fixing it was more than the car was worth and knowing that the Catalytic converter was on its way out and I'd have problems meeting the drive clean tax grab our local government brought in, I junked it for a 2006 Ford Escape. This lasted me 5 years before the rear door panels rotted out, the fuel line failed spaying gas under the rear seats, so again it cost more to fix than it was worth. The Gas problem was an assembly issue where they didn't install the tie-down clips for the gas line and 7 years of it moving caused it to tension split. I really like the drive, fit and feel of the Egde. I was just rubbed the wrong way by the dealer, that I guess isn't the cars fault, and little that Ford corp can do. After reading the posts on here about what it is that is wrong, and what part it will take to fix it, I finally found a replacement part in Quebec that I can get for a reasonable price that I have decided that I will take the DIY approach and see if I can fix the issue myself. Rather than posting here, I will move the questions over to the interior section. Thanks to everyone who have replied to this post. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill401 Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Just as a follow up. I figured out how to pull the silver edging strips off the Edge and remove the front faceplate from the radio/climate controls. I did order a replacement piece I found on Ebay in Quebec that was selling for $105 shipped. Far less than what they wanted at Ford. But as it was going to take 3 days to make it out to me, I decided to get adventurous and take a look at the one that the Ford Dealer has flagged in the diagnostic as failed. After unbolting it from the car, I checked to make sure that the plug was seated well. Tried unplugging it and re-plugging it back in. That made no difference. So I pulled the whole unit out of the car and thought why not look what is going on inside. The rear of the faceplate has 6 torx 15 screws (but I think I used a torx 20 driver). Once those are removed, the plastic backing is held in place by the two locator pins. These I couldn't figure out how to remove, but if you trim the plastic on the top end around the pin, you can ease the plastic backing off around the pin body. This exposes the PCB board. This didn't want to come off as it seemed that there was something else that was holding it in place after the screws are removed. To the bottom of the board there is a small white ribbon cable that connects the pcb to the button assembly. If you use your nail you can slide the binding post forward and release the cable. After you have taken the cable off, I used 99% ISOPropal alcohol to clean the contact ends and then rubbed them with a pink eraser to remove any oxidization from the lead ends. Then re-inserted the lead cable back in and locked the binding posts back into position. I then re-installed the faceplate back into the Edge and the problem has gone away. I think the error might have been caused by this ribbon cable oxidizing and generating noise to the system. I now have a spare faceplate. I will try and take some photos and post them here when I get a chance over the weekend. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Glad it worked out for & good info that sure will be useful to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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