climate control temporarily lost communication, new owner question

[Boomstik]

I'm new to the "EDGE" world so forgive me if this topic has been covered already. I searched the forum and couldn't find a thread that answered this question.

I just purchased a 2012 Edge from the insurance company. A tree fell on the roof and broke the panoramic sun roof so the car was totaled. After getting the car back

together I keep getting the warning saying the climate control temporarily lost communication. I had the same warning before i put the new roof on. I "assumed" it was due

to the antenna on the roof being broken, obviously not.

 

So everything on the touch screen works.

The radio works fine

I can set the clock

I can do a master reset on the screen and it appears to go through the entire reset process as described on every article I have read about this topic.

I have disconnected the battery multiple times

I have pulled fuse 29.

 

nothing make the error message go away, hence I'm stuck with the defrost on high heat.

The dash panel just below the touch screen does not light up either and is obviously not operational at all.

 

There is not SD card in the SD slot, Does it have to have one in order for this system to boot up?? I assume not from all the article I have read.

 

I have tried to create an account on Sync My Ride to down load the latest software. Ironically every time I try to create a new account to do this I get an error message saying the

web page is experiencing problems and try back later. There's a confidence booster huh!!

 

I would try the "tried and true method" of swinging a dead cat in a nylon sack over my head for a few minutes while I circle the car but some how don't believe that will work this time.

 

Is it possible I have a loose connector? I have read a few posts on different sites where people have said the dealership has found this issue. Does anyone know what connector they are talking about and were it is located?

 

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

 

 

[akirby]

There's the problem - it should have been a dead chicken in a paper bag and you have to circle counter-clockwise.........

 

Definitely sounds like a loose connector or a flaky module, but see if you can do a MFT update first just for grins since it's free. You don't need the SD card.

[Boomstik]

Update on this problem. The software update did not help anything. It was successful however.

I called a couple Ford Dealership service departments today in hopes of getting some useful information.

One of the dealerships told me it could be a bad "APIC" computer?? He claimed he didn't know where it is located.

If anyone knows where this is located or what the part number might be that would be appreciated.

If it under the center console, any words of wisdom as to how that comes a part would be appreciated as well.

[Boomstik]

Update to this problem. It turned out to be the FICM. this is the black touch screen in front of the shifter below the touch screen. There is a you tube video that shows how to get this out of the car, it is very simple.

 

If you get the warning that your climate control has temporarily lost communication, check to see if the back lighting on this control panel is not working as well. if not the micro has stop working and it will have to be replaced.

[blackviperrbv]

Hi Boomstik,

 

I just bought a new 2014 Fusion Titanium and am having this same issue with just over a thousand miles on it. The stealership tells me it is the FICM. Do you have any other info? You mentioned a Youtube video. Everytime I Google FICM I get "fuel injector control module" which is clearly something different. You are talking about the panel just under the navigation screen, correct? Any other names for this thing?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

Brian

[TheWizard]

Silly question... if your Fusion is new and under warranty, why would you need information on replacing it yourself? Just let the dealer take care of it - that's what your warranty is for.

[blackviperrbv]

That isnt' a silly question. I should have specified. It is at the dealership now awaiting the replacement part. I just want to know why it might have broke, if this is a widespread issue, and what the implications might be of replacing it. I don't like that people are tearing into wires behind my dash. I have many years experience with electronics and that is never a good thing. I just want to be prepared for when I speak with the technician on the day I pick it up.

 

Thanks,

Brian

[TheWizard]

I don't think you have too much to worry about. From what I've seen, the Fusion center stack is very similar to the Edge. I've taken the Edge apart to install the Lock Pick navigation override and it was pretty simple. Everything was plug-and-play with distinct connectors that will only plug into a single socket and have locks to prevent them from coming loose. Anyone using reasonable care and common sense should be able to replace the panel without trouble.

 

One thing to watch for is that your shifter illumination still works. If they pull the panel up too far, the LED socket detaches from the panel and it's a bear to reconnect (don't ask me how I know this).

[granto]

I know this is a very old thread but I thought I'd update with my current problem on my 2013 Limited...

 

The symptoms were very similar, no lighting and non responsive HVAC and radio control on the center stack below the touchscreen. Therefore no heating control at all and it somehow defaulted to heat and high fan speed. Hazard button didn't work. Coincidentally, my right front turn signal bulb blew (which is probably just a coincidence).

 

Disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes fixed the center stack problem. Thank goodness as the new panel at the dealer was going to be $1700cdn!