billw913

I was driving along, I turned right and the truck just died, the headlights work, the map lights work, but other than that pretty much nothing. I suspect the AAM but there are so many opinions out there, I don't know what will work or not. Some say used one will work if it has the same numbers, but which numbers there are like 5 sets of numbers. They say a new one from the dealer is a couple of thousand dollars and really don't have that kind of money to spend on a 20 year old car. So if anyone could please tell me what I can and can not do concerning this I would be extremely grateful. My wife loves the thing so I would really like to get it going for her.

khomer2

How did you suspect the AAM?

Please scan (with a pro level scanner) for any saved codes and post.

Maj. Dundee

I totally agree with Khomer, but you have not indicated whether or not you were able to restart the truck. Does it crank over or there is nothing when turning the key?

billw913

What lead me to the AAM is I found a post on this forum that described how to determine if the problem was AAM or ignition.II followed all of the trouble shooting steps and thus is where I ended up. Ishow no codes at all

khomer2

no codes. ok.
what TSS did you follow?

You still haven't responded to the Qs asked of you.
Can't really assist you when there's no dialogue

Maj. Dundee

After the car shut off, were you able to restart it? Explain what happens when you turn the key to start.

billw913

Ok I guess I should have gone into a little more detail about what happened, and what I have done since. First let me give you some background on myself, I was at one time an ASE certified professional, no I wasn't a master but close. Then I got older and got sick of getting dirty, so I went back to school and got a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. so I promise I do have some experience around vehicles, but I have to say this ML is a very unique animal. As I had stated it just died, it was fine one second and then it wasn't. I have gone over it and the only things that still work are the headlights, tail lights, map lights, horn, and the radio is asking for the code. Dash is completely dead, and so is everything else, oh and the signal light that was on at the time it died stays lit but doesn't blink. After I exhausted everything I could think of to try basic trouble shooting to see if I had power where I should and checked all the fuses and relays hoping it might be something that simple then I turned to the internet, I watch a lot of videos made by people that have no clue what the are doing. Then I thought since have been monitoring this forum since we first bought the car about 4 1/2 years ago and I have seen that there are some people on here that know these things inside and out so I thought I would see if you guys can help. I found some posts on here for trouble shooting to tell if it was the ignition, so I had power where they said I should. if the ignition was good and there were steps to jump one of the relays and see what that did. I know were you are going asking if it started again, but I can assure it is not the CPS, it was change about 3 years ago and that wouldn't result in nothing working. So basically I followed every trouble shooting step I could find and everything point to the AAM. I hope I answered all of your questions and want to apologize for taking so long to get back but I've been crazy busy at work. So anything that you can think of for me to try I am open to suggestions. So I really hope one of you guys that know the inner workings of this truck can help. One more thing when the scanner was connected it showed No Link so it can't even talk to the ECM

Maj. Dundee

Bill, you don't know how hard it is to read a huge UNI paragraph like this one. In the future please break it down into paragraphs.

You still did not answer my question.......................Explain what happens when you turn the key to start.

Do the wipers work?

Whenever the radio has to re-coded, it means that you lost battery voltage complete. Just as if you disconnected the battery. And the question arises, what is the voltage on the battery post and then read the voltage on the clamp?

Check both contacts on fuse #13 for 12v.

billw913

The thing is completely dead, turning the key does nothing at all. I have 13.4 volts at the battery, a brand new Interstate. And I apologize for the run on paragraph, I have a bad habit of stream of consciousness writing as I think it I type it.

billw913

So I just went thru and checked all of the basic functions and the wipers do work, and the power seat works. So over all I have headlights, tail lights, map lights, horn, wipers, and seat. The radio is asking for the code so I am thinking that it probably would work if recoded. The right signal light which was on when it died, is on front and rear but is just stuck on not flashing and it doesn't turn off.
The trouble shooting I have done
1.The first thing I tried when I got it home was to plug in my old Snapon ODB2 scan tool and all it showed was it couldn't link with the ECM.
2. Next was to trace power from the ignition thru the fuse block using steps I found on this forum for troubleshooting a no start condition
3. I watched a bunch of videos I found on line but basically I had already done most of what I found going that route
I had power at the fuse block coming from the ignition to the fuse block. (2 small wires I don't remember what color they were.)
So if you have anything else that you think I should look at please let me know and I will try just whatever anyone may have.
I don't think it is ignition because I have power at the fuses that turns on and off with the key. I had some relays so I have swapped them out one at a time and nothing.

Maj. Dundee

This is not going to go any further if I have to keep track of you not answering my questions. Check both contacts on fuse #13 for 12v.

billw913

I had done an update to my last post stating that with the fuse in place full voltage at fuse 13 but it didn't show as part of my post. I really do appreciate the help that you are giving me

Maj. Dundee

Now go to the fuse box and remove the other cover, and with the key on check the three studs for 12v and ground.

If they do, with the key still on, check fuses 2-5-9-10-16-25 for 12v.

billw913

power on outside lug only, ground as expected, LSO nothing is connected to the center lug. I tested with key on and key off just to be sure.

billw913

I'm still testing the fuses

billw913

I have no voltage at any of the fuses you listed

Maj. Dundee

OK hold on.

Maj. Dundee

Remove relay K12 (cir. 15 relay) and replace it with relay K21 (blower motor)..

billw913

I swapped the 2 relays, and now I have power at fuses 10, and 25, no other changes.

Maj. Dundee

That's strange, hold on.

Have you checked all fuses with the key on?

Maj. Dundee

Are you there?

billw913

Sorry had some things to take of. I didn't check all of the fuses again today, but I have previously gone thru them all, unfortunately I can't find the paper I wrote it all down on. I get home from work about 6:30 CT and I will check them all again just to be sure I give you the correct information.

billw913

So it looks like I probably won't get back to this until the weekend I am working crazy hours this week
and just don't have the time to do anything

billw913

Sorry to be gone so long crazy things going on at work. So I an hoping you are still willing to help me out, so just drop me a line letting me know where you stand on some more ideas to look into.

Maj. Dundee

Of course I am willing to help, but only being available on week-ends is not going to be productive. This past week-end you didn't even check the fuses.