Royalty Auto: Did We Just Solve This Ford Bronco “No Remedy” Recall?! (Low pressure fuel fix via PCM)

[Area51BS]

SUMMARY (via AI)

1. Vehicle Background & Symptoms

• Vehicle: 2021 Ford Bronco Sasquatch Edition equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine and approximately 131,000 miles [00:00], [55:18].
• Reported Complaint: The customer brought the vehicle in because it would run for only a few seconds before stalling out [00:09]. To pull the Bronco into the shop, the technicians had to repeatedly start it, crawl forward roughly 10 feet before it sputtered off, and repeat the sequence [00:30], [02:43].
• Replication & Stalling Behavior:
  • While initially described as shutting off after 5 seconds, real-time testing demonstrated it ran for roughly 16 to 17 seconds before stalling out [01:54], [02:36].
  • During the initial run attempts, the shop noticed the engine wouldn't immediately restart unless the door was opened and shut [02:03]. However, testing confirmed the door was a red herring: it was actually cycling the ignition key off and back on that reset the PCM and allowed the pump to prime again [05:14], [05:23].

2. Diagnostic Codes & Data Stream Analysis

• Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): The check engine light was on with stored code P025A:00 (Fuel Pump Module "A" Control Circuit / Open) [01:09].
• Live Fuel Pressure Data:
  • Desired low-side pressure: 71.5 PSI [03:56].
  • Actual low-side pressure: Measured only 19 to 20 PSI [03:56].
  • High-side rail pressure: Spiked briefly above 700 PSI, but because the low-pressure pump could not sustain commanded delivery, fuel rail pressure decayed, causing the engine to stall [04:03], [04:28].

3. Electrical & Circuit Analysis

• Factory Service Manual & DTC Logic: The technicians reviewed Ford's service description for P025A, which triggers when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects an open circuit, short to voltage, or short to ground on the fuel pump command circuit [05:53].
• Wiring Diagram Review: They mapped out the circuits connecting the PCM to the Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM):
  • FPC (Fuel Pump Control): Yellow/orange control signal line driven by the PCM [07:21], [08:19].
  • FPM (Fuel Pump Monitor): Monitor/feedback line from the module back to the PCM [07:52].
  • Constant vehicle power, module grounds, and pump drive lines [07:43].
• Signal Testing: Using an oscilloscope, they monitored the FPCM circuits and discovered abnormal electrical behavior (an unexpected ~12V presence) on the control circuit line linking the PCM to the module [08:42], [54:11].

4. Component Replacement & Root Cause

• Testing Fuel System Components:
  • Following factory/industry advisories that often point toward fuel delivery hardware, a new low-pressure fuel pump and a new Fuel Pump Control Module were installed during the repair journey [54:32], [55:18].
  • Neither the pump nor the control module fixed the issue; the vehicle continued to drop fuel delivery and stall out [54:36], [54:47].
• The Root Cause:
  • The actual failure was internal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) itself—specifically the output driver commanding the fuel pump control circuit [54:15], [55:08].
  • Once a replacement PCM was installed, programmed, and paired to the vehicle, the Bronco started, maintained full fuel pressure, and ran continuously without stalling [55:08], [56:00].

5. Final Takeaways & The "No Remedy" Recall

• Customer Billing: The shop owner stated they would only charge the client for the component that actually cured the failure—the PCM—and absorbed the unnecessary pump installation [55:04].
• The Ford "No Remedy" Issue:
  • Ford has active recall/bulletin notifications regarding fuel pump module circuit faults and sudden stalling, but many official notices list "No Remedy" while Ford evaluates potential software revisions [53:50], [56:00].
  • The team points out that while Ford may not currently offer a free software fix or approved campaign hardware replacement, an actual physical repair exists today: replacing the damaged PCM restores vehicle drivability [56:00].
• The video concludes with the shop capturing known-good scope waveforms and announcing a follow-up video to discuss why Ford handles this recall under a "no remedy" status [56:17], [56:42].

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[1bluedog]

Like watching Sherwood and Dave's Auto Center videos.

 

[Area51BS]

I thought the issue was only on the 2.7. One in video is a 2.3.

 

[BudgetBronco]

I thought the issue was only on the 2.7. One in video is a 2.3.

It has always included the 2.3

This is an interesting video, I did not follow ALL the details of the diagnosis with the scope but it is interesting the thought process they go through.

Will be interesting to see part 2...

 

[Brian_B]

Can someone englighten us non-video
enabled folks?

 

[MilesTeg]

Can someone englighten us non-video
enabled folks?

Bronco that will only run for a few seconds at a time.

They do a bunch of diagnosis, see bad electrical signals and stats from the fuel pump connection. Call Ford, who tells them to replace fuel pump. No fixie. They start throwing parts at it (FPM then PCM) and the PCM fixes it, though they think maybe temporarily.

They speculate that Ford knows the fuel pump/pressure recall (with no fix) issue is the problem with either the PCM and/or the FPM, but don't want to replace all those modules in all those vehicles. They are probably right -- Ford is probably trying to make a software fix to work around the hardware problems -- much cheaper.

In part two, they say they are going to get a look at electrical signals and stats with the replaced PCM that makes it run again.

 

[Area51BS]

Can someone englighten us non-video
enabled folks?

Yes. It appears it is the ECM that becomes damaged and Ford is trying to do a software fix because new ECM’s are too expensive.

 

[Area51BS]

It has always included the 2.3

This is an interesting video, I did not follow ALL the details of the diagnosis with the scope but it is interesting the thought process they go through.

Will be interesting to see part 2...

Doesn’t come up as a recall I mine. Certain years?

 

[Area51BS]

Doesn’t come up as a recall I mine. Certain years?

Disregard. Mine was built Oct 22.

 

[Ducati1098]

Yes. It appears it is the ECM that becomes damaged and Ford is trying to do a software fix because new ECM’s are too expensive.

Sounds like a completely different problem from the recall. People that have had actual fuel pump failures have much different symptoms. Nobody else has been able to simply open the drivers door and have it restart.

 

[Area51BS]

Sounds like a completely different problem from the recall. People that have had actual fuel pump failures have much different symptoms. Nobody else has been able to simply open the drivers door and have it restart.

I believe the door being opened caused pump to prime. Giving them 15 seconds of run time. How is it possible Ford doesn’t have a fix? Especially since they have the recall narrowed down to 2 years production. It does appear they are holding out for the cheapest possible bandaid repair.

 

[Ducati1098]

I believe the door being opened caused pump to prime. Giving them 15 seconds of run time.

Right, but the fact that the pump could still prime at all, means it wasn't the typical fuel pump failure we normally see. That's all I was getting at.

How is it possible Ford doesn’t have a fix? Especially since they have the recall narrowed down to 2 years production. It does appear they are holding out for the cheapest possible bandaid repair.

I have no idea. Apparently software development takes a long time for them?
But yes, they're obviously going to fix it the cheapest way possible, same as any other manufacture or company would do. But as long as it actually fixes the concern...

 

[Area51BS]

Right, but the fact that the pump could still prime at all, means it wasn't the typical fuel pump failure we normally see. That's all I was getting at.



I have no idea. Apparently software development takes a long time for them?
But yes, they're obviously going to fix it the cheapest way possible, same as any other manufacture or company would do. But as long as it actually fixes the concern...

Does prove in my opinion it is defective hardware. Otherwise Ford could just put in hardware produced after the date in recall. Chooses not to do it.

 

[Ducati1098]

Does prove in my opinion it is defective hardware. Otherwise Ford could just put in hardware produced after the date in recall. Chooses not to do it.

According to them, It’s a software issue that potentially creates a hardware failure.

“Dealers are to update the software in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to provide new logic that prevents fuel pump binding and maintains fuel flow to the engine”

So changing the hardware would probably only temporarily resolve the issue.

 

[Area51BS]

According to them, It’s a software issue that potentially creates a hardware failure.

“Dealers are to update the software in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to provide new logic that prevents fuel pump binding and maintains fuel flow to the engine”

So changing the hardware would probably only temporarily resolve the issue.

Love it. The more I keep you engaged the more good info!

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