Normal Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The vehicle security module (VSM) controls the output of several vehicle systems by means of solid state drivers. When an overload occurs on any of these drivers, a DTC will be set. The module also tracks the number of repetitive faults on each of these circuits. The module compares this number of overloads to 3 progressive thresholds established for each circuit. If the 3 thresholds have not been exceeded, then the DTC of the affected circuit can be cleared by eliminating the fault, then clearing the DTCs and running a self-test.

At the point that each of the first 2 thresholds are exceeded, the DTC B106E will be set along with the DTC relating to the affected circuit. Once the final (3rd) threshold is exceeded, the affected output is permanently disabled, and the DTC B106F will be set along with the DTC B1342, at which time the VSM must be replaced.

DTC B106E (Solid State Driver Disabled Due to Short Circuit) - sets in continuous memory only when the VSM has disabled a circuit due to a repetitive fault causing a circuit overload. A corresponding DTC for the circuit in question will also set.
DTC B106F (Module Disabled Due to External Fault) - sets in continuous memory only when one or more output functions are permanently disabled due to a repetitive circuit overload fault. DTC B106F will be set with DTC B106E. When DTC B106F is present, a new VSM must be installed after the fault condition has been corrected.

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:

Output circuit short to ground or voltage
VSM