Pinpoint Test B : Pinpoint Test
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Ford Focus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- B1 CARRY OUT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
- Carry out the Inspection and Verification .
Are any concerns present?
Yes REPAIR as needed. No GO to B3 - B2 CHECK FOR PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) DTCS
- Ignition ON.
- Using a scan tool, perform PCM self-test.
Are DTCs P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 reported?
Yes GO to B3 No If the engine overheating symptoms are present or if coolant is low from an overheat GO to B3 If actual engine overheating has not been verified CHECK the engine coolant temperature gauge operation. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . If any other PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to: Electronic Engine Controls . - B3 CHECK FOR AN AIRFLOW OBSTRUCTION AND MISSING AIR DEFLECTORSNOTE: Verify no vehicle front end damage is present.
- Check the radiator or A/C condenser for an external obstruction such as leaves or cardboard and verify all air deflectors are present.
Is an airflow obstruction present or air deflectors missing?
Yes REPAIR as necessary. No GO to B4 - B4 CHECK THE ECT (ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE) AND AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE CORRELATION
- Check temperature values while engine is at ambient temperature, cold soak the engine for a minimum of 6 hours if necessary. Make sure the vehicle has not been in direct sunlight.
- Using a diagnostic scan tool, monitor the PCM ECT (TEMP) and AAT (TEMP) PIDs.
Are the temperature readings within 10 degrees of each other?
Yes If the vehicle is equipped with active grill shutters, GO to B5. If the vehichle is not equipped with active grill shutter, GO to B6 No INSTALL a new ECT sensor, REFER to: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor . - B5 CHECK THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTER OPERATION
- Start the engine and allow it to idle for at least 30 seconds to allow for the grille shutter calibration to complete.
- Using a diagnostic scan tool, view PCM Parameter Identifications (PIDs).
- Using a scan tool, select the PCM Parameter Identification (PID) GRILL_A_CMD and active command the grille shutter from 100% (open) to 0% (closed) while observing the grille shutter operation from the front of the vehicle.
Does the grille shutter fully open and close when commanded by the scan tool?
Yes GO to B6 No Diagnose the active grille shutter is inoperative or does not operate correctly, REFER to: Active Grille Shutter . - B6 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND PRESSURE TEST THE COOLING SYSTEM
- Ignition OFF.
- Visually check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and adjust as necessary. Pressure test the cooling system.
Does the engine cooling system leak externally?
Yes REPAIR or INSTALL new components. No GO to B7 - B7 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR AN INTERNAL LEAK
- Inspect the engine coolant in the degas bottle for signs of engine oil.
Is engine oil evident in the coolant?
Yes REFER to: Engine . No GO to B8 - B8 CHECK THE ENGINE OIL FOR COOLANT
- Remove the oil level indicator from the engine.
Is coolant evident in the oil?
Yes REFER to: Engine . No GO to B9 - B9 CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR COMBUSTION GASESNOTE: Use UView® Combustion Leak Tester part number UVU560000-R or equivalent.
- Using a cooling system combustion gas leak tester, following the instructions supplied with the tester, check the coolant for combustion gases.
Are combustion gases present?
Yes REFER to: Engine . No GO to B10 - B10 CHECK COOLANT CONDITION
- Check the coolant for dirt, rust or contamination and check the coolant concentration.
Is the coolant condition OK?
Yes GO to B11 No FLUSH the engine cooling system. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing . - B11 CHECK THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Place the climate control function selector in the MAX A/C position and the blower motor switch in the HI position.
Did the electric cooling fan operate?
Yes GO to B12 No DIAGNOSE the electric cooling fan operation. REFER to the ENGINE CONTROLS - SYMPTOM CHARTS (EXCEPT DIESEL & HYBRID) . - B12 CHECK THE COOLANT PUMP OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Allow the engine to run for 30 minutes. Place the climate control function selector in the MAX HEAT position. Feel the heater outlet hose.
Is the heater outlet hose hot?
Yes GO to B13 No INSTALL a new coolant pump. REFER to: Coolant Pump . - B13 CHECK THE THERMOSTAT OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Allow the engine to run for 30 minutes. Place the climate control function selector in the MAX HEAT position. Feel the lower radiator hose.
Is the lower radiator hose hot?
Yes CHECK the temperature gauge operation. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . No GO to B14 - B14 VISUALLY INSPECT THE THERMOSTAT
- Carry out the Thermostat Visual Inspection in the Component Tests .
Is the thermostat damaged?
Yes INSTALL a new thermostat housing. REFER to: Thermostat Housing . No INSTALL a new thermostat housing. REFER to: Thermostat Housing . If the engine still overheats, INSTALL a new radiator. REFER to: Radiator .