Inspection and Verification
Inspection and VerificationWARNING: To avoid personal injury, do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or hot. The coolant system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
CAUTION: Check the coolant level, engine oil and transmission fluid, top off the coolant if needed, if there is engine coolant in the engine oil or transmission fluid the cause must be corrected and oil/fluid changed, or major component damage can occur.
CAUTION: All vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
1. Verify the customer's concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.
2. Inspect to determine if any of these mechanical or electrical concerns apply.
Visual Inspection Chart:
3. As pinpoint tests and measurements are being carried out, make sure to inspect for any disconnected, loose-fitting or incorrectly installed component, module and in-line electrical connectors and pins.
4. If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary.
5. If the concern remains after the inspection, connect the diagnostic tool to the data link connector (DLC) located beneath the instrument panel and select the vehicle to be tested from the diagnostic tool menu. If the vehicle selection cannot be entered:
^ check that the program card is correctly installed.
^ check the connections to the vehicle.
^ check the ignition switch position.
^ check that the battery voltage is greater than 9v.
If the diagnostic tool still does not allow the vehicle selection to be entered, refer to the diagnostic tool manual.
6. Carry out the Data Link Diagnostic Test using the diagnostic tool. If the diagnostic tool responds with:
^ SCP+, SCP-, CAN or UBP circuits fault ALL MODULE NO RESPONSE/NOT EQUIPPED, go to Module Communication Network Diagnostics to diagnose the network concern.
^ If the powertrain control module (PCM) is not listed for a communication concern, execute the self-test diagnostics for the PCM.
7. If any PCM DTCs are retrieved, and are related to the concern, go to the Powertrain Control Module Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index to continue the diagnostics. Diagnostic Trouble Code Tests and Associated Procedures
8. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart to continue the diagnostics. Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures
9. If the PCM cannot be accessed by the diagnostic tool, go to Information Bus (Module Communications Network).
10. Inspect the coolant condition.
1. Inspect the coolant color:
^ NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
If Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color) has a clear or pale yellow color, this indicates higher water content than required.
^ Dark brown can indicate unauthorized stop leak may have been used. Use Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6 only.
^ A light or reddish brown color indicates that rust may be present in the cooling system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of clean distilled water and engine coolant.
^ An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant can indicate a trace of oil is entering the system.
^ A milky brown color may indicate that either engine oil or transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. If transmission fluid is suspected, the cause may be a leaky radiator, pressure test the cooling system. If engine oil is suspected, the cause of the leak may be internal to the engine.
^ If transmission fluid is contaminated with engine coolant, the cause may be a leaky radiator, pressure test the system.
2. If the engine coolant appearance is acceptable, test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Battery/Anti-Freeze Tester. The freezing point should be in the range -45°C to -23°C (-50°F to -10°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36°C (-34°F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection.
^ Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40.
^ Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60.
3. Adjust coolant range and level if necessary:
^ If coolant is low, add specified coolant mixture only.
^ If the engine coolant tests too weak, add straight engine coolant until the readings are within acceptable levels.
^ If the engine coolant tests strong, remove some of the engine coolant and add clean distilled water until the readings are within acceptable levels.
11. Verify the cooling system is correctly filled and bled.
12. If DTC P1474, P1477 or P1479 are present, refer to Computers and Control Systems for diagnosis.
13. If the concern remains after the inspection, determine the symptom(s). GO to Symptom Chart. Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures