Starting System: Overview Ford Fiesta Mk6

Principles of Operation - Without Intelligent Access (IA)

Note. This vehicle is equipped with Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) that disables the engine if an unprogrammed PATS key is used or an invalid PCM ID is received. PATS is controlled by the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). If there is a PATS concern that caused the engine to be disabled, the anti-theft light flashes rapidly in the IPC . Refer to ANTI-THEFT - PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) to diagnose a PATS concern.

The starting system is electronically controlled by the PCM. The PCM receives the following inputs

1. Correctly coded ignition key from the IPC
2. Clutch pedal applied from the Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch (vehicles equipped with manual transaxle)
3. Transaxle in PARK or NEUTRAL from the Transmission Range (TR) sensor (vehicles equipped with automatic transaxle)
4. Request to start the engine, ignition switch in the START position

Under normal operation when the ignition is turned to the START position the IPC generates a key verification message. It sends this message to the PATS transceiver. The transceiver reads the key and sends a key verification message back to the IPC . If the message received does not match the key verified in the IPC memory, the engine will not crank and start. Once the IPC determines the correct programmed key was used to START the vehicle, the IPC sends the PCM a request to crank and start the engine. When the PCM receives the message, it generates a response and sends it back to the IPC . If the response from the PCM does not match the response in the IPC memory, PATS is not enabled and the engine does not crank. If both the key verification and PCM ID pass, PATS is enabled. The PCM recognizes the correct electronically coded passive key and provides voltage and ground to the starter relay coil. The starter relay coil is energized causing the relay contacts to close providing voltage to the starter solenoid, allowing the starter motor to crank and start the engine. The PCM disengages the starter once an engine RPM threshold is reached, a set crank time is exceeded or the ignition is turned OFF. For additional information, refer to ANTI-THEFT - PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) .

Vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle have a TR sensor. The TR sensor prevents operation of the starter unless the transaxle is in NEUTRAL or PARK.

Vehicles equipped a manual transaxle have a CPP switch. The CPP switch prevents operation of the starter unless the clutch pedal is fully pressed.

Principles of Operation - With Intelligent Access (IA)

Note. This vehicle is equipped with Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) that disables the engine if an unprogrammed PATS key is used or an invalid PCM ID is received. PATS is controlled by the Remote Function Actuator (RFA) module. If there is a PATS concern that caused the engine to be disabled, the anti-theft light flashes rapidly in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). Refer to ANTI-THEFT - PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) to diagnose a PATS concern.

The Intelligent Access (IA) starting system is electronically controlled by the RFA module which acts as the PATS control function. The RFA module receives the following inputs

1. Correctly coded ignition key from PATS
2. Clutch pedal applied input from the Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch (vehicles equipped with manual transaxle)
3. Transaxle in PARK or NEUTRAL from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) (vehicles equipped with automatic transaxle)
4. Request to start the engine, start/stop switch is pushed
5. Brake pedal applied input (automatic transaxle)

During a start event, the start/stop button is pushed in combination with either the brake or clutch pedal input. The RFA module receives a request to start the engine. The RFA module recognizes the correct electronically coded passive key and provides voltage to the starter relay coil and signals the PCM. The PCM recognizes the correct inputs and provides ground to energize the relay coil and close the relay contacts. The starter relay contacts close, providing voltage to the starter solenoid, allowing the starter to crank and start the engine. The PCM disengages the starter once an engine RPM threshold is reached, a set crank time is exceeded or the stop/start button is pressed indicating an engine shutdown request.

Vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle have a TR sensor. The TR sensor prevents operation of the starter unless the transaxle is in NEUTRAL or PARK.

Vehicles equipped a manual transaxle have a CPP switch. The CPP switch prevents operation of the starter unless the clutch pedal is fully pressed.

Normal Operation

Under normal operation the ignition switch is turned to the START position, the PCM receives a request to start the engine. The PCM receives a signal from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) that the vehicle is in PARK or NEUTRAL as determined by the TR sensor (vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle) or from the Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch indicating the clutch pedal is fully pressed (vehicles equipped with manual transaxle). The PCM supplies voltage and ground to energize the starter relay coil. The energized coil causes the starter relay contacts to close. This allows voltage to be supplied from Battery Junction Box (BJB) fuse 11 (30A) to the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is grounded at the starter. Energizing the starter solenoid closes the solenoid contacts allowing voltage directly from the battery to the starter, engaging the starter drive into the ring gear causing the engine to crank and start. The PCM disengages the starter once an engine RPM threshold is reached, a set crank time is exceeded or the ignition is turned OFF.

1. DTC P0850:00 (Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit: No Sub Type Information) - sets when the message from the P/N_SW CLUTCH 2 circuit is invalid causing a mismatch with the High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) message from the TCM .
2. DTC P0851:00 (Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit Low: No Sub Type Information) - sets when the PCM detects a short to ground on the P/N_SW/CLUTCH 2 circuit.

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following

1. Battery
2. Battery cables
3. Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
4. Ignition switch
5. Fuse
6. Starter motor
7. Starter motor relay
8. Wiring, terminals or connectors
9. PCM
10. TCM (automatic transaxle)
11. Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch (manual transaxle only)

Under normal operation the start/stop switch, when pushed in combination with pressing either the brake or clutch pedal (depending upon transaxle), provides the Remote Function Actuator (RFA) module a request to start the engine. The RFA module and PCM receive a signal from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) that the vehicle is in PARK or NEUTRAL (vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle) or from the Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch when the clutch pedal is fully pressed (vehicles equipped with manual transaxle). The RFA module supplies voltage to the starter relay coil and signals the PCM to provide ground to the relay coil. The energized coil causes the starter relay contacts to close. This allows voltage to be supplied from Battery Junction Box (BJB) fuse 11 (30A) to the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is grounded at the starter. Energizing the starter solenoid closes the solenoid contacts allowing voltage directly from the battery to the starter, engaging the starter drive into the ring gear causing the engine to crank and start. The PCM disengages the starter once an engine RPM threshold is reached, a set crank time is exceeded or the stop/start button is pressed indicating engine shut down.

1. DTC P0850:00 (Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit: No Sub Type Information) - sets when the message from the P/N_SW CLUTCH 2 circuit is invalid causing a mismatch with the High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) message from the TCM .
2. DTC P0851:00 (Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit Low: No Sub Type Information) - sets when the PCM detects a short to ground on the P/N_SW/CLUTCH 2 circuit.
3. DTC P1708:62 (Clutch Switch Circuit: Signal Compare Failure) - sets when the clutch switch input to the RFA module indicates the clutch pedal is pressed but the Medium Speed Controller Area Network (MS-CAN) message transmitted by the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) module indicates the clutch pedal is not pressed.

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following

1. Battery
2. Battery cables
3. Start/stop switch
4. Cruise control deactivation switch
5. Fuses
6. PATS
7. Starter motor
8. Starter relay
9. Wiring, terminals or connectors
10. PCM
11. TCM (automatic transaxle)
12. Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch (manual transaxle only)
13. RFA module

Normal Operation - (Without Intelligent Access)

When the ignition is turned to the START position, the PCM receives a request to start the engine and supplies voltage to the starter relay coil. The PCM monitors the start request circuit for faults. If voltage is detected on the start request circuit and the starter relay is not in an active state, the PCM sets a DTC.

1. DTC P0617:12 (Starter Relay Circuit High: Circuit Short to Battery) - sets when the PCM detects excessive current on the starter relay circuit and the output is not activated.

Normal Operation - With Intelligent Access (IA)

When the start/stop switch is pressed and released along with either the brake pedal (vehicles equipped with automatic transaxle) or Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch (vehicles equipped with manual transaxle) input, the Remote Function Actuator (RFA) module receives a request from the Intelligent Access (IA) key to start the engine. The RFA module then supplies voltage to the starter relay coil. The RFA module monitors the start request circuit for faults. If voltage is detected on the start request circuit and the starter relay is not in an active state, the RFA module sets a DTC.

1. DTC P0615:12 (Starter Relay Circuit High: Circuit Short to Battery) - sets when the RFA module detects current output above threshold on the starter relay circuit and the output is not activated.

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following

1. Wiring, terminals or connectors
2. RFA module
3. PCM
4. Starter relay

Scheme 1

1. C1 RETRIEVE DTCs Ignition ON. Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: PCM - Self-Test (vehicles without IA ). Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: Self Test - RFA Module (vehicles equipped with IA ). Are DTCs present on-demand during self-test? Yes: Go to C2 . No: The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
2. C2 CHECK THE STARTER REQUEST CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE Ignition OFF. Disconnect: Starter Relay. Disconnect: RFA module C3503C or PCM C175B. Ignition ON. Measure the voltage between BJB starter relay cavity 1, circuit CDC54 (WH/GN), harness side and ground. Is any voltage present? Yes: REPAIR circuit CDC54 (WH/GN). CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. No: Go to C3 .
3. C3 CHECK THE STARTER MOTOR RELAY Swap the starter relay with a known good relay. Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: Self Test - RFA module or PCM. Was RFA DTC P0615:12 or PCM DTC P0617:12 retrieved on-demand during self-test? Yes: For vehicles without IA , INSTALL a new PCM. Refer to «ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS»(ref-382403) . CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. For vehicles with IA INSTALL a new RFA module. Refer to «MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES»(ref-382389) . CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. No: INSTALL a new starter relay. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.

Correct starter operation relies on correct mounting of the starter to the engine, alignment of the starter ring gear to the flywheel or flexplate and correct functioning of the starter assembly (internal gears, bearings).

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following

1. Starter motor
2. Starter motor mounting
3. Starter motor engagement
4. Flywheel or flexplate ring gear

Scheme 2

1. D1 CHECK THE STARTER MOTOR MOUNTING Inspect the starter motor mounting bolts for looseness. Is the starter motor mounted correctly? Yes: Go to D2 . No: INSTALL the starter motor correctly. Refer to «STARTER MOTOR»(ref-382410-S15729305252011012300000) in this information.
2. D2 CHECK FOR ENGINE NOISE Ignition OFF. Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid "B" and "S" terminals. Engage the starter motor and verify the noise is due to the starter operation. Is the noise due to the starter motor engagement? Yes: Go to D3 . No: Refer to «ENGINE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION»(ref-382374) to continue the diagnosis.
3. D3 CHECK FOR UNUSUAL WEAR Remove the starter motor. Refer to «STARTER MOTOR»(ref-382410-S15729305252011012300000) in this information. Inspect the ring gear for damaged or worn teeth. Is the noise due to ring gear tooth damage? Yes: INSTALL a new flexplate/flywheel ring gear. EXAMINE the starter pinion teeth. If damaged, INSTALL a new starter motor. Refer to «STARTER MOTOR»(ref-382410-S15729305252011012300000) in this information. TEST the system for normal operation. No: INSTALL a new starter motor. Refer to «STARTER MOTOR»(ref-382410-S15729305252011012300000) in this information.