Electrical - No Crank/No Start/Discharged Battery

Article No.
03-15-9

08/04/03

^ DRIVEABILITY - NO CRANK/NO START -
DISCHARGED BATTERY - HEATED BACKLIGHT
STAYS "ON" INTERMITTENT

^ ELECTRICAL - DISCHARGED BATTERY - HEATED
BACKLIGHT STAYS "ON" INTERMITTENT

FORD:
2003 THUNDERBIRD

ISSUE
2003 Thunderbird vehicles built before 6/1/2003, may exhibit a no-start condition due to a discharged battery.

ACTION
Replace the Climate Control Assembly Dual Automatic Temperature Control Module (DATC) with a new DATC Module. The new DATC Module has revised software that will prevent the rear window defroster from turning back "ON" when the ignition is "OFF".

SERVICE PROCEDURE

This can occur under the following conditions only:

1. The vehicle ignition is "ON" and the rear window defroster is turned "ON", indicated by the light on the Climate Control Assembly (DATC module) being illuminated.

2. Turning the ignition "OFF", before the rear window defroster has timed out automatically or being manually turned "OFF" and exiting the vehicle.

3. Allowing the Climate Control Assembly (DATC to enter the "sleep mode" (this takes approximately 5 minutes).

4. "Waking up" the vehicle by doing any one of the following:

^ open/close door

^ open/close trunk

^ use Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) fob to lock or unlock doors, trunk or set alarm

^ turn on headlamps

^ move power seats

Anything that would initiate traffic on the SCP (Standard Corporate Protocol) communications link will result in the system "waking up" and the rear window defroster will turn itself "ON" and it will continue to stay "ON" until the battery is discharged.

Replace the Climate Control Assembly (DATC Module) with new DATC Module. Refer to the 2003 Thunderbird Workshop Manual Section 412-00 for service procedure.

If the battery requires recharging, refer to TSB 02-04-05 for proper recharge procedures.

NOTE
THE BATTERY "EYE" MAY NOT RETURN TO "GREEN" FOLLOWING RECHARGING. THIS IS NORMAL AND DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY "EYE" WILL RETURN TO "GREEN" AFTER THE BATTERY ELECTROLYTE HAS CIRCULATED IN THE BATTERY. THIS MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS OF VEHICLE OPERATION TO ALLOW THE ELECTROLYTE TO REACH THE BATTERY EYE.





Parts Block

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 02-4-5
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

031509A Replace The Climate 0.6 Hr.
Control Assembly (Includes
Time To Verify Concern)

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
19980 42





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