FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.
Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> Taurus AWD V6-3.5L Turbo >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators >> Testing and Inspection >> Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview >> Inspection and Verification >> Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes

Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes




Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes

Inspection and Verification

1. Verify the customer concern.

2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.

Visual Inspection Chart






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. NOTE: Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.

If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).


5. NOTE: The Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) LED prove-out confirms power and ground from the DLC (Data Link Connector) are provided to the VCM (Vehicle Communication Module).

If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM (Vehicle Communication Module) :

- Check the VCM (Vehicle Communication Module) connection to the vehicle.

- Check the scan tool connection to the VCM (Vehicle Communication Module).

- Refer to - No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no power to the scan tool.


6. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
- Verify the ignition is in the ON position.

- The air bag warning indicator prove-out (other indicators may not prove ignition ON) confirm ignition ON. If the ignition does not turn on, refer to Steering Column to diagnose no power in RUN.

- Verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle.

- to diagnose no response from the PCM.


7. Carry out the network test.
- If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, refer to Information Bus.

- If the network test passes, retrieve and record the continuous memory DTCs.


8. NOTE: The ignition must be OFF to carry out the Remote Function Actuator (RFA) module self-test.
Clear the continuous DTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster), SJB (Smart Junction Box), PCM, ABS module, RFA (Remote Function Actuator) module and Restraints Control Module (RCM).


9. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to DTC Charts. For all other DTCs, refer to the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart in Body Control Systems. Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes Body Control Systems/ Body Control Module

10. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC), GO to Symptom Chart- Information And Message Center, or GO to Symptom Chart- Warning Chimes. Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes

Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Dealer Test Mode

To enter the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) self-diagnostic mode for vehicles without Intelligent Access (IA), begin with the ignition key in the OFF position. Press and hold the message center RESET button. Turn the key to the RUN position and hold the RESET button until the message center displays ENGINEERING TEST MODE, usually within 3 to 5 seconds. Press the RESET button once to advance through each stage of the self-test. To exit the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) self-test mode, turn the ignition to the OFF position.

To enter the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) self-diagnostic mode for vehicles with IA (Intelligent Access), begin with the ignition in the OFF mode. Press and hold the message center RESET button. Press and hold the START button for 2 seconds to enter the ignition RUN mode and continue to hold the RESET button until the message center displays ENGINEERING TEST MODE, usually within 3 to 5 seconds. Press the RESET button once to advance through each stage of the self-test. To exit the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) self-test mode, place the ignition in the OFF mode.

NOTE: If the message center detects a fault condition that it is reporting out on such as door ajar, the dealer test mode session cannot be entered until the fault condition has been corrected and the message removed. If the dealer test mode session is interrupted by a fault condition display (such as door ajar), the session can be resumed by pressing the RESET button.

NOTE: Some of the displays listed in the table below use xxx's to represent a numeric or alpha-numeric value. The value may display the same amount of characters represented by the xxx's or there may be more/less depending on the type of display. For example: VEHICLE SPEED xxxx.x MPH may display VEHICLE SPEED 25 MPH. Note that there were 4 x's in the display description but only 2 digits in the actual display.

















pro multis Credits:Operation CHARM About Operation CHARM