Smart lock

[offrdn60]

Sorry if i have repeted this subject, but i have had a look and couldn't find any info about it. I have an Ed with smart lock and its playing up sometimes. it wont let me start, but my mate told me to tap just under the handbrake and it will start. It has worked sofar, but this is happining more oftern. Is there any way to fix it with out replacing it?

Thanks
Nick

[spope]

If you are good at soldering, you can resolder all the connections inside the module. It starts to fail because the solder joints wear out and stop making good contact.

It is far easier to just replace the module.

[offrdn60]

ok cool, thanks mate
Do u know what these would cost ?

[spope]

If you went to a self serve wrecker you should be able to get one for around $40.
No idea what Ford would charge, but I expect it would be a lot.

[offrdn60]

thanks for that, is this a common prob with these cars? or only some do it?

[holmsy]

how does the smart lock stop the car from starting?
will it just not let the car turn over or does it cut off petrol or something?

[spope]

Both. The smartlock module controls the starter motor and also tells the ecu wether or not to let the injectors fire.

When you turn the ignition key, the module gets three codes from the ignition lock. If two out of three match what they should be, the smartlock module enables the starter relay and also sends a signal to the ecu saying it is ok to let the injectors fire.
Holsmy - I think I know what you are thinking. Your car may be faulty because it's not getting the smartlock signal? The easiest way to test is to get your hands on a pre-smartlock EB2 ecu and test with that. There isn't really a simple way to test the smartlock module, except by changing it and re-coding the key.

It is a common-ish problem with these cars, yes. As you know, the temporary fix is to turn the key to start and then hit the dashboard.

[holmsy]

whats the smart lock module look like. and how deep do i have to get in the dash to get to it
if its a real easy thing to swap out ill go to the wreckers and grab one and try it there and then. so i dont have to buy one to find out

[spope]

Very easy. It sits directly above the handbrake. Remove the little trim piece that sits above the handbrake, and there will be two screws behind it.
Undo them, and you should be able to slide the module out of the dash from behind. It is red, slightly small than the engine ECU.

The only catch is you need half an hour to code it.
You need to plug the new module in, turn the ignition key to on, and leave the car for thirty minutes so the new module can learn the ignition lock correctly, then it will start.

[offrdn60]

it wont let the car start turing over at all, once its started its fine