I have been searching around all day and I am trying to figure out what to do with my likely failed 2C7T-15K602-AJ VSM situation.

1) There is a post here that says 3C7T-15K602-AE is a direct replacement (no programming required) but that the unit was received from AutoECMs. Wondering if they just threw any old case on there when they sold the user a reman:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lock-saga.html

Any thoughts on this? If this is the case, I can hit up Ebay and roll with it. Get myself an extended warranty and be happy provided the warranty is long enough and the 03 unit is any better than the 02?

2) I was also thinking of getting the original used 2C7T-15K602-AJ used on on Ebay and tie wrapping it away from the firewall just below the dash for easy access should there be future failures. Thinking of getting an extended warranty but doubt any extended warranty would be able to see me that far.

3) Get a remanufactured one as per the link below. Someone here posted that they had a bad experience with them though. Their repair service for $180 is showing up as "out of stock". Not sure if that means "unavailable".

https://repairlaboratory.com/rebuilt...c7t-15k602-aj/

Bad Review: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-resource.html

4) https://www.autoecmstore.com/ seems to be the most reputable but their price has almost DOUBLED in less than 2 years from $400 to $750. Then it could STILL need programming.

5) Get a used updated replacement: 4c7z-15604-ac and then have it reprogrammed by the dealer? Will the updated unit work at all prior to programming (albeit incorrectly) when connected so I can at least confirm my conclusion that the VSM is bad?

Not a big fan of patronizing the dealer and my luck usually isn't that great. I can see a scenario where I spend money on a used one and the dealer will assert that there is a problem with the one that I purchased
due to the low skillset/low motivation seen in my area of Virginia.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

What would you do here?

Thanks!

 

Just wanted to say that I went with option number 1 to see what happens. I will report my findings since I consider all of them crappy.

 

I received the 3C7T-15K602-AE VSM and installed it. The old VSM was definitely bad. It fixed the no power door lock issues and the door ajar light on the dash. I am so close. Good news....the old VSM was bad. I was even able to program some blank fobs.

The only issue that I have is that the one I received appears to be for a truck.

Symptoms: The dome light does not trigger when the rear doors or hatch are opened even though all of the door switches are good. The door ajar light does not come on for these doors either. The front two doors turn on the dome light fine and trigger the door ajar light on the dash.

Do I have to bring the vehicle to the dealer to get the VSM reprogrammed or can I just bring the VSM?

Thanks!

 

The rear hatch (liftgate) has a switch on the left and right as part of the latch unit, the barn doors do not have door open switches of any kind. I would compare the pin outs of each VSM to see if there are any differences there. You'll probably need a schematic of your model year to compare as well.

 

Hi,

I have the schematics for my year and know that each door switch is sending a low signal to the correct pin at the VSM.

Seems like I will need to have this VSM reprogrammed.

 

Actually, I see your point. Either way, the 2003 VSM and 2002 VSM pinouts are identical per the wiring diagrams. I was hoping for another solution. I can see some relays in my future.

 

If the pinouts are the same, and both VSM/s have the same amount of pins, than they probably both can perform the same functions, and yes may need to be programmed. If I get time I can look into the manual to see what the replacement procedure is, and if it calls for vehicle specific programming to be done.

 

I tried to use ForScan to reprogram it but to no avail. Dealer wants $400 to experiment. What a mess.

 

I just saw this posting and should have been responding to this one.

I am trying to remember back when I was deep into this issue. I have not put in much work on my Fords since my son and I are bringing my old 240Z back to life.

Just for others to see as you may already know this from my other thread......
You were right to get the 3C7T-15K602-AE but it needs to be out of an Excursion in order for it to be plug and play. If you get it out of a truck it still has things missing and would need to be updated. I have my F250 super crew and I got a VSM out of a 2005 extra cab and I still needed to do an update on it (restore from old). Lucky for me the original VSM out of my F250 was still good and I was able to copy the VSM data from it and restore it to the 2005 VSM. Everything on my truck worked like before.

I had put the VSM from my F250 into my Excursion and most issues went away with the exception of the door key pad. My F250 does not have a door keypad so that is probably why it didn't work.

The original VSM (2C7T-15K602-AJ) from my 2002 Excursion supposedly has issues and I am surprised it lasted 20 years from what everyone says. So anything from 2003 and above is built more reliable and is usable but as mentioned, if from a truck, it will most likely need some sort of change in programming. Like you I hate to go to the dealers, for one they charge way too much and second they are not familiar with doing this sort of work. Like you said experiment on you.

I know someone that is pretty good with the NGS, I will try and get in touch with him to see if he knows how to use the AS-Built and the NGS.

on another note: I could have sworn I messaged you Excursion 7.3 but when I went back to my "sent" I didn't see it so I will. I need to do some clean up first.

Tim M

 

Lol, this issue sure generates threads. I don't know if I am coming or going. That is good information...thanks. I purchased some pin switches in case I have to rig this up. My MK4 Jetta TDI(s) can use them if not. They are always developing door switch problems. What else would I be driving for a daily besides one of those anyways, lol.

I asked you to PM because some of the info is sensitive and can involve ASBuilt info and VIN(s). I might have some useful information for you in the long run as well.

Thanks.

 

Good news! The 3C7T-15K602-AE from an Excursion worked. No need to create new circuits or rig pin switches. I programmed my fobs to it no problem at all.

The only things bugging me are:

1) The Door Keypad. Do I even need it to work when I have fobs? I could care less.

2) The rear end ratio. This Excursion has a 3.73. I thought I read that this was meaningful to the VSM in some way. I can't image how. I just wanted to check though.

Thanks.

 

I still like the option of the door code working but it was mostly for locking it which probably works for you. I have also not had it for many months and I don't notice. For the rear end ratio maybe you are thinking about the VSS.... very close acronym.

After reading the thread you sent me it did spark my memory and I believe I moved on when my Bluetooth dongle for the ODB connection needed to be updated. I was planning on getting a new one and trying to use the Forscan but looks like it would have taken more than that.

Thanks for the info, when I get a moment I will try something to update my VSM properly.

Tim M

 

Appreciated and whew! I'd like to know how you make out. Curious.