Ok... a little background: Bought the car (02 Z, right under 30k miles)back in April, everything worked great until July or so when the three famous TCS messages came on (with code 1214) . Finally got around to taking off the EBCM about three weeks ago and sending it for repair. Reinstalled a week later and everything was great for two weeks. Got in my car the other morning after it sat overnight and the yellow TCS and ABS lights came back on, along with "service vehicle soon". A very similar situation to before, except now the "service ABS, service traction, service vehicle soon" messages reappear at random on the DIC. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes for them to reappear after pushing the "clear" button, sometimes as much as 30... seems odd, since before the "repair", pushing the "clear" button would shut it up until the next ignition cycle. Also, I may be crazy, but I swear it takes more effort to steer the car at low speeds now; I've driven cars with no power steering before, and its not THAT bad, but it definitely seems a little more resistant to turning in the driveway...

I pulled the codes and was shocked to see how many were present. I checked them after reinstalling the EBCM, and there were none...

PCM: P1571H

TCS: 1214H, 1248HC, 1254HC, 1255HC, 1256HC, 1277H

SDM: 1040HC

IPC: 1040H

HVAC: 0361H, 0441HC

Thanks in advance for the input... its pretty irritating when you spend more time troubleshooting on a car than you do actually driving it.

 

Maybe you should check your grounds. Bad grounds can cause a multitude of problems. Do a search.

 

thanks for the input, ultimate... unfortunately, i've already checked the grounds and have done a plethora of searches to no avail

 

Yours sounds a lot like mine. I got my EBCM repaired but it wont correct the codes ( or work ) without a Tech II reprogram from a stealership. Did you get the C1255 code the first time? If you did, that makes the EBCM usually unrepairable. Those other new codes you have now are just the byproduct of removing your EBCM. They should clear through the DIC and not return.

 

interesting info, wantblu.... i never saw the 1255 code until after having the module "repaired". it's hard for me to believe that the new code is unrelated to the supposed "fix"... also, i cleared EVERYTHING after reinstalling the EBCM, so all the rest of the codes must have popped up after that...?

 

2 things. Either the repaired EBCM needs to be reprogrammed with a Tech II at a dealership or I have heard the C1255 code might mean you need a new BPV block as well.

 

greaaaaat.... yet another expensive fix to add to the list. getting old...

 

According to Bill Dearborn and "Evil-Twin", I think you have to replace both units. C1255 indicates an internal EBCM failure which is probably the kiss of death for the EBCM. C1214 is a failure that occurs inside the EBCM but it also affects the BPMV. Step 3 in the diagnostic procedure tells the user to check the resistance of the pump motor circuits to ground. If that resistance isn't infinite Step 4 of the procedure tells the user to replace both the BPMV and EBCM. The part of the EBCM that fails when code C1214 shows up can be repaired. However, the part that fails and generates the C1255 code cannot be repaired - requires a *new* part. If C1255 was the only code present all you would have to do is replace the EBCM. C1248 will go away when you resolve the C1255 code. Good luck. Perhaps Ebay might have a source for new parts to save you some money.

 

well THAT is some extremely disturbing news... what are the chances that the "fix" destroyed the EBCM and caused the C1255 code? I feel like I already know the answer to this, given that I never had that code before...

 

The EBCM apparently has a relay that is weak and tends to go out which triggers the C1214 code. The EBCM can be repaired for by ABSFIXER for $150.00 and there are other places repairing these modules but they cost more. There are instructions for removing the module on CF. I removed mine and had it repaired for $150.00 plus shipping after getting the C1214 code. They say it is extremely rare for the valve body to fail but it can "stick" due to lack of use. Hit the brakes hard enough to engage ABS a few times and it may release. I have no experience with the C1255 code. I would do some research on CF before I would mess with the valve body. Do a search on ABS/Traction control and C1214, C1255. Lots of info.

 

How does one physically test the resistance of the pump motor curcuit? I guess you need a digital multimeter? Can someone show with photos where you actually put the pointers to test?

 

What is this "EBCM re-programming" you speak of?

 

I recommend PMing Bill Dearborn and Evil-Twin for details, schematics, etc. They are very knowledgeable and helpful

 

The car doesnt recognize the new BCM. It has to be reflashed or reprogrammed with a TECH II in some cases. When you read the trouble codes with a TECH II and you see a small "m3" beside the code that means the electronic module you're reading needs to be reflashed.

 

It sounds like you do not understand the difference between a EBCM and a BCM. Two different parts entirely. EBCM (electronic brake control module)is for the ABS, the BCM(body control module) controls a host of functions like: PASS key, lights, door locks, etc.

 

I shortened the EBCM to BCM in my post. Sorry!! No, I know what Im talking about. I swapped the EBCM myself.

 

So I pulled the codes tonight just for kicks, and they're all the same EXCEPT for the TCS codes... no it just says "no comm".... I'm not at all amused by these gremlins, and would very much like for them to vacate my car... I'm a college kid and don't have the buck to keep throwing money at this crap!

 

I don't spend much time on the C5 forums anymore and happened to come by this thread. When you say you checked the grounds did you check the EBCM ground (G108) which is over by the battery? The ground (G103) that is on the left front frame is the BPMV ground and not the ground for the EBCM electronic circuits. You may have checked G103 when you were troubleshooting the C1214 code but not G108.

You can get C1214 for several reasons. 1) The relay in the EBCM goes bad, 2) The BPMV pump motor has a short or partial short to ground and draws too much current through the relay and damages it, 3) The electronics in the EBCM go bad and it can't close the relay. The people who replace the relay can resolve the C1214 code by replacing the relay if the problem is 1. The guys who repair the EBCM can partially solve 2 and they can't solve 3. To resolve 2 completely the technician needs to check to see if there is a low resistance to ground from the pump motor circuits. If so then both the EBCM and the BPMV need to be replaced.

C1255 is a fatal error. Something is wrong in the EBCM electronic components. I don't believe the places that repair these modules can do anything but replace the system relay inside the unit. They can't replace the other components and potentially solve a C1255 code since they don't know which one to replace or have any way to test whether the repair fixed the unit if they could replace the component. To properly test that unit in a lab setting it would probably take $50K+ of special test equipment. From other discussions I have seen the repairers have some spare units available and can swap them out so people don't have to wait for their unit to be repaired. When they repair a unit it could be further damaged during handling or it could be bad when they receive it. Since they can't test the unit they don't know. That is how you can get a unit that has C1255.

Before you toss out the new unit you should not only check the grounds but also all the other wiring going to the EBCM. Check signal wiring and voltage wiring to make sure there are no bad or corroded connectors, that all of the connectors make good contact, that the wiring in the harnesses hasn't been damaged in some way. It's a slim chance but maybe a bad ground or bad voltage level is causing the EBCM to generate the C1255 code.

Then check the BPMV pump motor circuits to ground. You can use a Digital Multimeter to do this. Just make sure it has a 10 Meg Ohm input impedance. That way you stand less chance of the meter itself loading a circuit and affecting the readings you are taking.

lucky who has already posted in this thread, trussme and Bill Curlee can also help you with this problem. There are multiple threads on the C1214 problem with a full listing of the diagnostic procedures along with plenty of schematics shown in the threads.

Bill

 

Did you have to get it reprogrammed or reflashed?

 

I'm just not familiar with the EBCM having to be reprogrammed(or flashed).....BCM yes, EBCM no. Perhaps you can enlighten me.