No Start Situation Resolves with BCM Physical Reset
 

Hi,
Our 2006 LR3 has been a fantastic vehicle for the last 15 years, but has an electrical gremlin I'm struggling to resolve.

Occasionally, when you try to unlock with the key fob, the keyless entry will not function...like the fob is dead (but it's not).
So, pop the little cover on the driver door and use the key to open the door...car sets off the alarm and goes into immobilizer mode. Horn beeping and doors all remain locked (minus the driver door that was physically unlocked). Try the key in the ignition and all lights come on like normal, but the car does not start.
Open the hood, disconnect the battery, wait, touch the cables together to discharge, plug the battery back in and still the car remains in immobilizer mode...horn beeping etc.

The resolution: flip down the glove box, unplug the large plug on the front of the body control module, and then plug it back in. Once you do, everything is back to normal

One additional tidbit is if you DONT lock the doors, occasionally you'll go to start it, and the ignition will not function. Light come on, but no starter engagement. Interestingly, in these circumstances that the car was not locked, it does NOT set off the alarm. Again, once the BCM plug is disconnected and reconnected, all systems function properly. Keyless entry works, ignition works, etc.

My assumption is that there is a bad solder in the BCM, but I wanted to ask the experts.

Thanks,
Paul

repairing is cheaper than replacing
 

Yes. I think you are on the right track. I have had BCM's that were actually "bad" it took a while to determine it was bad because we had to verify every wire in the bundle first.

If removing the connector rests the BCM, then yes you either have a bad solder joint on the board or a worn wire in the harness that makes connection again after you manipulate the thing when unplug/plug it.

I think there are a few places that will resolder the connector onto the board. You cannot not reflash a used one, and a new one if stupid expensive and may have up to a months delay. You can however get a used BCM cloned from your current board it the situation requires it.

Jeff

Thank you Jeff! What is the difference between re-flashing and cloning?

Not entirely sure, but I will give it the old college try:

Flashing is programming the VIN info for your car into a new (previously un-used) module. (think new part from the dealer)
Reflashing is programming update information to an existing module like making a software revision update, or programming info from your car onto a used non VIN locked module from a different car.
Cloning is copying your VIN locked info onto a different (used) VIN locked module. (Not sure how this is different from Flashing but they told me that it is so........)

Not sure that is the best way to explain it, but there are companies that can repair /flash/clone most of the modules on the LR3 because they are mostly Ford parts.

Hope that helped
Jeff

Thank you. A couple of years ago we lost the key to this vehicle. I pulled the BCM and gave it to a programmer who used it to program some new keys and then I reinstalled it. I'll call him and inquire about what he is able to do.

Thanks again for the help.
Paul

Locksmith
 

Yes, the locksmith can read the BCM, get a key ready and have the BCM program it to work. That is not the same thing as programming the firmware in the BCM for the VIN of your car.

General Disclaimer: I might be wrong.

Jeff