VSM on my Excursion is Dying

[Shlbyntro]

So the Vehicle Security Module, otherwise known as the vehicle chassis computer, is dying.

It is an extremely intermittent issue. But basically the automatic headlights on my truck will sometimes shut themselves off randomly at night so I have switched to turning them on manually. The key fobs quit working sometime ago and the keyless entry sometimes stays lit up all through the night. The door ajar light is almost always on though I've checked all the latches and sensors and they are nominal. The most recent issue is the alarm function will occasionally trigger and blow the horn while driving, this is particularly annoying as my truck is equipped with air horns. And when this happens, I have to find a place to pull over, pop the hood, and pull the fuse to the air compressors.

I have been putting off addressing it as long as I could but it's getting to the point that I have to do something.

I have shopped around and a new module runs in the neighborhood of $2,000 and only a dealer can program it once installed and most won't touch it if they don't install it themselves so that's about another $1-2k.

So here's my dilemma, I am fairly certain the issue is just tired and/or shorted relays on the circuit board but don't know if these is sealed in silicone or not and once it's off, the vehicle is out of commission until it goes back together whether i fix the VSM or reinstall it still broken. It's not easy to get to, it's deep inside the dash.

My question is has anybody here done this on their Ford trucks and do you know if it's a bare circuit board or is it a sealed unit?

 

[lbhsbz]

Got a VIN?

 

[C-2]

Just some food for thought...

On my 03' Excursion V10 I had an intermittent stall issue. I researched it out and didn't think it was a fuel pump, but Ford did, so I let them replace it. That wasn't the problem, but since my dealer is a AAA approved shop, they guaranteed a fix for 2-years. Next, they had the truck for a month and could not figure it out and they claimed even the engineers in Detroit were stumped.

I continued to research it out on Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums and I was convinced there was a bad fuel relay on the fuse block. The relay was soldered, so simply changing out the relay was not an option.

Apparently, this is a common problem. Water seeps into the truck from a faulty windshield gasket and eventually it shorts out the fuse panel.

So I found a guy on eBay who rebuilds the fuse blocks for $100.

The Ford dealer said way too complicated for them to remove the fuse block. So I took to YouTube and an hour later I had the block out. I sent it to the guy in Virginia and with shipping, it cost me about $150. I spent a half hour hooking it up and voila, no more stalling.

I was in disbelief that water damage occurred since I live in SoCal and it rarely rains; but, the fuse block indeed had water damage.

So, a.) keep in mind the AAA guarantee if you are AAA member and can find an AAA approved shop, and b.) see what you can turn up on FTE forums, and if there is a similar type of fix available - somebody who rebuilds the VSM board.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Can't seem to find anybody who rebuilds them which is making me think that they're probably sealed and non repairable.

All I can seam to find is people saying take it to the dealer or find a good used one that's from a matching vehicle. Damn

 

[C-2]

Can't seem to find anybody who rebuilds them which is making me think that they're probably sealed and non repairable.

All I can seam to find is people saying take it to the dealer or find a good used one that's from a matching vehicle. Damn

I saw my fuse block for sale on eBay, too, that's another strategy.

 

[Hullbilly]

Can't seem to find anybody who rebuilds them which is making me think that they're probably sealed and non repairable.

All I can seam to find is people saying take it to the dealer or find a good used one that's from a matching vehicle. Damn

I’ll sell you an 05 Excursion, that should fix it!

You called circuit board medics?

 

[SBMech]

It's the body control module. It's discontinued. Basically it's the main fuse block, behind the center console. Ford sucks ass, because they fucked this one up bad, many vehicles from 99 to 2012 have this integrated POS BCM fuse panel that sucks ass. You get door open issues, alarms that go off randomly because of said door issues etc.

Try to find a used one or someone to rebuild yours. I have yet to find someone reliable who repairs them or I would have provided the info.

Good luck

 

[SBMech]

I’ll sell you an 05 Excursion, that should fix it!

You called circuit board medics?

Don't even try those fucking crooks, terrible.

 

[Hullbilly]

Don't even try those fucking crooks, terrible.

Really? My buddy just used them to rebuild his FICM, they got him one in 2 days and its been functioning well....thus far!

 

[Shlbyntro]

I’ll sell you an 05 Excursion, that should fix it!

You called circuit board medics?

But I like my 7.3L!

It's the body control module. It's discontinued. Basically it's the main fuse block, behind the center console. Ford sucks ass, because they fucked this one up bad, many vehicles from 99 to 2012 have this integrated POS BCM fuse panel that sucks ass. You get door open issues, alarms that go off randomly because of said door issues etc.

Try to find a used one or someone to rebuild yours. I have yet to find someone reliable who repairs them or I would have provided the info.

Good luck

yes ford did screw the pooch on this one. It is the first major issue I've had with Gertrude in the 7 years I've owned her. I think I'm still doing OK but need to get this fixed one way or another

 

[Hullbilly]

But I like my 7.3L!


yes ford did screw the pooch on this one. It is the first major issue I've had with Gertrude in the 7 years I've owned her. I think I'm still doing OK but need to get this fixed one way or another

Mines a V10, truck is diesel.

I’ve gone back and forth on selling the Ex....I really only use it for family road trips, the rest of the year it just holds down the concrete slab in the garage.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I still use mine for work, mostly moving tools and boats to and from the lake. I'll eventually be adding a pickup to my driveway haven't decided on what yet but I've always wanted an OBS Ford,

 

[Shlbyntro]

I put an email in to circuit board medics. Well see what they say

 

[Shlbyntro]

Got a VIN?

 

[Mototrig]

Run the instrument cluster self test to see if any codes are detected. Following the codes could prove the VSM is the issue or possibly something different.

 

[Mototrig]

In all the research I've done involving your model Excursion/Super duty I've never seen or heard anyone disassembling the VSM/GEM/BCM. I went through my tech links all say remove & replace or remove and reflash FIRST if that doesn't work THEN replace. I'm interested to see how this pans out.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

There’s a company back East called BBA Reman , check out their website . They fix all kinds of computers / modules / IP panels .

 

[Shlbyntro]

There’s a company back East called BBA Reman , check out their website . They fix all kinds of computers / modules / IP panels .

CBM got back to me. They are not capable of rebuilding the VSM. I'll give BBA a shot and see

 

[Shlbyntro]

Bba says they can do it ! $150 plus shipping. Thanks all

 

[Shlbyntro]

So now that this is all figured out, I had some extra money burning a hole in my back pocket that I didn't need for the vsm/bcm anymore.... well I bought some things

Teeheehee. Should all be here just in time to be unwrapped for xmas!