Wrench icon 2007

I looked at it also. This is where I used to "live", I just don't have their fancy scan tool that monitors the messages on the bus. This is the same as capturing packets on an ethernet network in the IT world.

But if your a dealer and have their razzle dazzle scan tool, the manual leads you by the hand on finding the problem. Almost to the point where a brain dead idiot can find it.

First thing you always do is check the terminating resistors. If one of those lets go your chasing your azz for hours.

7FordExpedition ask them when the tech is going to work on it and if you can observe what is happening on the bus as they are monitoring it. Bet you will get the "deer in the headlights stare".
Just for giggles ask them what the CAN HS bus would cost and how much to put in. Don't replace it though - it hasn't proven to be at fault.

Please send me your email address and I'll send you some info on it. That way you'll have some knowledge on the issue should they try to bs you.

Not saying that this is your problem but wiring harnesses are built from stranded wire. Lets say that the wire has 60 strands but 59 are broken somewhere, they are considered "open" and those strands will not conduct electricity until some or all connect back up to the other strands they are part of. But that single unbroken strand will show the wire as being "good" even though it really isn't when it is tested with a meter. When the normal load is put on the wire that single strand isn't capable of transmitting all of the messages. The result is a communication failure.

Stamp Would that be a good idea to ask about the cost of the CAN HS bus as it may give the dealer an excuse to say something is wrong with it and then charge to replace it

I would tell them to prove it first & get the cost of the repair. You should be able to see the lost messages on the test equipment as being dropped or garbled.
If I chose to have them do the job you can bet it would be paid on a credit card so if it wasn't the problem I would refuse to pay. Have been down that road a few times. "Want to take me to court go ahead. All of your failed repairs have been documented."

Update: I've looked at the manual for testing the network. They want their mechanics to use the scan tool to "talk" to each module but resort to voltage and resistance measurements in the physical testing. That means you can test the network yourself as long as you have a good meter.

So 7FordExpedition, how are you with electrical & electronics? Do you have a decent digital multi-meter?

stamp11127 said:

I would tell them to prove it first & get the cost of the repair. You should be able to see the lost messages on the test equipment as being dropped or garbled.
If I chose to have them do the job you can bet it would be paid on a credit card so if it wasn't the problem I would refuse to pay. Have been down that road a few times. "Want to take me to court go ahead. All of your failed repairs have been documented."

Update: I've looked at the manual for testing the network. They want their mechanics to use the scan tool to "talk" to each module but resort to voltage and resistance measurements in the physical testing. That means you can test the network yourself as long as you have a good meter.

So 7FordExpedition, how are you with electrical & electronics? Do you have a decent digital multi-meter?

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I have a multi-meter out in the garage somewhere, have no idea if it is a good one or if it even works anymore ... but ... how am I with electronics and electrical? Unfortunately ... I stink at electrical and electronics. I am a user, can sometimes figure simple stuff out but basically my E&E skills do not go beyond gross. Like I can replace a battery, plug and unplug connectors ... that is about it. One of the reasons why I have it in at the stealer I guess.

Oh, I was over on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts site (get a lot of info for my 1964 F100 over there) and there is a guy with almost my same concerns with his 2007 Expedition. Is this kind of thing a routine problem?

Question: ALL dealers do have CAN compliant readers ... right? All the rest of the up to date stuff to work on these things. Right?

I got the car at a smallish dealer in Southern Pines, NC that is owned by a large dealer group called Crossroads. I presumed the tech's (what happened to mechanics?) were experienced and competent. But their lack luster performance has me seriously concerned.

The more "complicated" things get the easier it is for them to screw up. Don't know if it is a common problem. If it is, there is probably a tsb out on it.

As far as a dealer being up to date, they should be. I don't know what the cost to them is from Ford but I have heard independant shops saying the cost for the scanner can run around $10,000 with yearly updates costing more. And that may not let them have the same access as OEM equipment.

stamp11127 said:

The more "complicated" things get the easier it is for them to screw up. Don't know if it is a common problem. If it is, there is probably a tsb out on it.

As far as a dealer being up to date, they should be. I don't know what the cost to them is from Ford but I have heard independant shops saying the cost for the scanner can run around $10,000 with yearly updates costing more. And that may not let them have the same access as OEM equipment.

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Thanks, I do appreciate it. This weekend no work was done at the dealer of course but hope they do something tomorrow (Tuesday). I am also trying to get codes and work done by the Ford dealer in Hondo,Texas where I bought this car. From the day I took it home to now I've been trying to get this problem fixed. Will post up what if anything happens!

Spoke with the service manager at Crossroads Ford this morning. He says since I brought it back it has not displayed the wrench icon again and nothing was stored in the computer since I brought it back. He tells me they are working with Ford to fix this thing.

Now I am really worried.

Lets see, you take it to them with the wrench turned on and they say there aren't any codes plus they haven't had it come on.

BS

I would politely ask if they can pull the history on the vin number. There may be a history from day one with this, plus if there is then you know what parts have been thrown at it. And you can ask what hasn't been changed?

Once you get it back, if you are able to video the dash while driving it will help "prove" to them your not a whack job. Only idiots are with a true video.