Contents Wiring diagrams Section: Starter All sections

Starting System: Diagnosis Mercury Milan I

Starter ~628 words

Inspection and Verification

WARNINGAlways disconnect the battery ground cable at the battery before disconnecting the starter motor battery terminal lead. If a tool is shorted at the starter motor battery terminal, the tool can quickly heat enough to cause a skin burn. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Note. When working on the starter system, make sure the anti-theft system is operating correctly.

  1. Verify the customer concern by operating the starting system to duplicate the conditions.
  2. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply. VISUAL INSPECTION CHART Mechanical Electrical Starter motor Battery Battery junction box (BJB) fuses: 23 (60A) 14 (15A) Smart junction box (SJB) fuses: 10 (30A) 22 (7.5A) - 3.0L and 3.5L vehicles only Wiring harness Starter relay (part of SJB) Anti-theft system Loose or corroded connections
  3. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
  4. If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
  5. If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM: check the VCM connection to the vehicle. check the scan tool connection to the VCM. refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK , No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no communication with the scan tool.
  6. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle: verify the ignition key is in the ON position. verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle. refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK to diagnose no response from the powertrain control module (PCM).
  7. Carry out the network test. If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK . If the network test passes, retrieve and record continuous memory diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
  8. Clear the continuous DTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the instrument cluster, refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER .
  9. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart. For all other DTCs, refer to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .
  10. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, go to Symptom Chart .
DTCDescriptionSourceAction
B1213Anti-Theft Number of Programmed Keys is Below MinimumInstrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B1342ECU is FaultedInstrument ClusterCLEAR the DTCs. CARRY OUT the instrument cluster self-test. If DTC B1342 is retrieved, INSTALL a new instrument cluster. REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER .
B1600PATS Key Transponder Signal is Not Received - Damaged Key or Non-PATS KeyInstrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B1601PATS Received Incorrect Key-Code From Ignition Key Transponder (Unprogrammed PATS Key)Instrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B1602PATS Received Invalid Format of Key-Code From Ignition Key Transponder (Partial Key Read)Instrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B1681PATS Transceiver Module Signal is Not Received (Damaged, Not Connected or Damaged Wiring)Instrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B2103Defective TransceiverInstrument ClusterINSTALL a new PATS transceiver. REFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B2141NVM Memory Failure (No Target ID Stored in Instrument Cluster)Instrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B2431Transponder Programming FailedInstrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
B2477Module Configuration FailureInstrument ClusterCONFIGURE the instrument cluster. REFER to MODULE CONFIGURATION . CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. If DTC B2477 is retrieved, INSTALL a new instrument cluster, REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER .
U1900CAN Communication BUS FaultInstrument ClusterDTCs B2141 and U2510 should be present along with U1900. REFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS . If not, REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .
U2510CAN - Invalid data for Vehicle SecurityInstrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .
U2511CAN - Data Mis-Match (Receive data does not match expected)Instrument ClusterREFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS .

PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) CHART

Symptom Chart

ConditionPossible SourcesAction
The engine does not crankBattery Battery junction box (BJB) fuse(s): 23 (60A) 14 (15A) Smart junction box (SJB) fuse(s): 10 (30A) 22 (7.5A) - 3.0L and 3.5L vehicles Starter motor Circuitry Starter motor relay - part of SJB Anti-theft system Transmission range (TR) sensor - automatic transmission Clutch cutoff switch - manual transmission onlyGo to Pinpoint Test A .
The engine cranks slowlyBattery Starter motor CircuitryCARRY OUT the Starter Motor Component Test.
Unusual starter noiseStarter motor mounting Starter motor Incorrect starter drive engagementGo to Pinpoint Test B .
The starter spins but the engine does not crankStarter motorINSPECT the starter motor mounting and engagement. REPAIR as necessary.
Damaged flywheel/flexplate ring gear teethINSPECT the flywheel/flexplate ring gear for damaged, missing or worn teeth. REPAIR as necessary.

Symptom Chart

Pinpoint Test A: The Engine Does Not Crank

Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS , Starting System for schematic and connector information.

Pinpoint Test B: Unusual Starter Noise

Possible Causes

  1. Starter motor mounting
  2. Starter motor mounting bolts
  3. Starter motor drive
  4. Flywheel or flexplate ring gear
  5. Starter motor
  1. B1 CHECK THE STARTER MOUNTING Inspect the starter motor mounting bolts and brackets for looseness. Is the starter motor mounted correctly? YES : Go to B2 . NO : INSTALL the starter motor correctly. REFER to Starter Motor - 2.3L , Starter Motor - 3.0L or Starter Motor - 3.5L . TEST the system for normal operation.
  2. B2 CHECK FOR ENGINE NOISE Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position. Connect a fused jumper wire from the B-terminal to the S-terminal of the starter motor. Engage the starter motor and verify that the noise is due to the starter operation. Is the noise due to the starter motor engagement? YES : Go to B3 . NO : REFER to ENGINE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION to continue the diagnosis.
  3. B3 CHECK FOR UNUSUAL WEAR Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor - 2.3L , Starter Motor - 3.0L or Starter Motor - 3.5L . Inspect the ring gear for damaged or worn teeth. Is the noise due to flexplate/flywheel 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 - 2.3L , Starter Motor - 3.0L or Starter Motor - 3.5L . TEST the system for normal operation. NO : INSTALL a new starter motor. REFER to Starter Motor - 2.3L , Starter Motor - 3.0L or Starter Motor - 3.5L . TEST the system for normal operation.