Pinpoint Test P: The Theft Indicator Is Never/Always On

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

P1 CARRY OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LAMPS AND CHIME ACTIVE COMMAND USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
- Key in ON position.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: Instrument Cluster Active Command.
- Select the instrument cluster warning lamps and chime active command. Trigger the all lamps active command ON and OFF. Observe the theft indicator.
- Does the theft indicator illuminate when triggered on, and turn off when triggered off?
Yes : GO to P3.

No : GO to P2.
P2 CHECK FOR CORRECT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION
- Disconnect all the instrument cluster connectors.
- Check for:
  - corrosion
  - pushed-out pins
- Connect all the instrument cluster connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and determine if the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes : INSTALL a new instrument cluster. REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER in this article. TEST the system for normal operation.

No : The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
P3 CHECK FOR CORRECT PCM OPERATION
- Disconnect all the PCM connectors.
- Check for:
  - corrosion
  - pushed-out pins
- Connect all the PCM connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and determine if the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes : INSTALL a new PCM. REFER to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 2.3L , ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 3.0L (4V) , or ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - HYBRID . TEST the system for normal operation.

No : The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.