FORD Central Junction Box (CJB) aka BCM repair / relay replacement OBD Code P0231 repair 2002 - 2007

[@edwardvasquez2621]

Thank you for simplifying my problem, I replaced my fuse box with a used one, it lasted two and a half years. I am facing the same issue again. I will do my best to repair my original fuse box from the video you shared. Thank you again for sharing your experience and solution.

[@Confirm_selection]

This video should be used as instructional for a soldering class. 👍🏼

[@Flash-FX]

Nice! I have a 2005 E350 that had the overhead compass/thermometer go intermittent. The first thing I found after disassembly was that the lead free solder had cracked around one of the solder pins. On that circuit there wasn't enough current flow to heat stuff up, just work sometimes when you hit a bump on the road. I re-flowed the pins with 60/40 and all's good. You probably had a similar lead free solder issue that started it all. Thanks for taking the time to record this

[@mikemooney2503]

Thank you so much for taking your time to share this with us. Not only did I learn where the relay was but the soldering lesson was invaluable.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

You are very welcome. I am glad it helped you out! Please consider subcribing to my channel and share with friends...

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Hey Mike, I know it was an old vid, but what are you doing to the yellow Maverick?? It is in very good shape....

[@mikemooney2503]

I haven't had a chance to do anything with it due to my work schedule and lack of "help". Its in the shed in very good shape (no rust, etc) but no motor/trans or interior. I have all the parts, just need time & help to get it finished@@digitaloverdrivesystems

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Where are you?

[@lawrencecavens5760]

What a great job ya did, and I can see why the BCM cost's so much but with a little patients and a bit of time - saved a modual from the scrap heap and kept it out of the landfill. Job Well DONE!

[@bobbyshaftoe]

This is a GREAT VIDEO. It was VERY HARD TO FIND though... Please update the title to indicate the general application. e.g.: 2004 (late 2002 through 2007) Central Junction Box (CJB) repair and relay replacement. This repair is for a LOT more than just the fuel pump relay. Again, GREAT vid. I wish I found it 3 months ago.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

OK thanks, good input

[@CraigJones-d3q]

thanks for the direction on how to remove and replace that relay.

[@Naeiou]

Excellent video and thanks for sharing your work. This is my first experience with a non-serviceable relay of this sort and you've answered many of my questions on how to approach it. To me, it seems the worst part is putting the fuses back in place...lol

[@opelwasp]

Thank you for this fix. This will save me hundreds of dollars.

[@DaleLClay]

Great information on how to check this fuse panel. When I opened my 2002 Ford Excursion fuse panel (easy enough thanks to you), the relay appeared to be in pristine condition. So I am moving on to testing the fuel pump. I can rebuild anything, but electrical stuff is not my forte. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO! I know it will provide great insight to many.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Glad it helped some Dale. Please share my channel with others to help me grow. Cheers

[@psgpicker]

Great video! Thank you for your time to produce it.

[@nate317]

Thank you for this. I’m going to do this for my excursion. You have inspired me to learn how to solder.

[@stevejordan3627]

Thanks for the information. This sounds like my problem. There’s so much misinformation on the Internet about the fuel pump relay. Thanks.

[@tigeraudio]

In my 2002 the computer was not grounding the relay. I changed the relay, the truck ran for a month, then died again. The second time I put an external relayin and suplied the ground full time and used a key run/start hot to run it. The company that I bought the PCM from also sold me a lifetime warranty, but they have not responded to email. My original relay wasn’t showing signs of any problems, but I still changed it and the truck still ran for a month before it happened again.

[@tigeraudio]

This video just showed up on my feed. Really would have been nice if it had showed up back in Feb when I did the same thing. Would have been a lot easier. Nice job!

[@liftedjsmith]

Called Ford today on the chance they still had one for dad's truck today, and there was 10 options depending on VIN, most were no longer available, and if they were, over $1000 bucks!

[@wingtipsworld5909]

Before even removing that junction box from the truck you can diagnose whether its the pump or that relay just by removing the 4 pin plug on the outside of the junction box. There is a green/yellow wire, if you inject 12 volts to the wire (not the board pin) this goes directly to the pump, if you hear the pump its good. If you take a voltmeter to the board pin that the green/yellow wire connects to (i believe the lower left corner of the 4 pins) you should see 12volts there when you turn the key. If it wont read 12 volts with no load (cause you disconnected the pump wire) then you know that relay is bad without even taking it all apart... but you should really put a load on it to make sure its bad before taking it all apart. Im about to do this repair myself on a 2003 F150. the soldering part is the least of my worries as i work in electronics.

[@charlesdupuis1327]

Hey man I read your post very closely, and I'm about to do this as well can I use a charged car battery to "create" the load also do you have a video on the subject?

[@evanleonardomirandacruz6031]

​@@charlesdupuis1327 you can, but you shouldn't. It's better if you have a prove that can feed that voltage thru it.

[@ena6631]

Well done to you. Impressive, great job.

[@osuuma6935]

Fantastic work!

[@Naeiou]

Just finished replacing my neighbor's fuel pump relay on his 2006 Ford F350 from instructions in your video. Many thanks for posting this and leaving it up as it has been awhile since you first put it on KZbin. Could you share what resource you used (or recommend) in locating the relay and how you identified it? There were a few other relays on the board I would have liked to identify. All in all, you saved us a lot of grief, and your well thought out video was easy to understand. Thank you!!!

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Glad I could help. The relays on my board were all the same. The link is in the video description but here it is again amzn.to/3N2dHg5 It is a common OMRON 12v relay. Cheers!

[@soldierscraft9213]

Awesome video thank you

[@michaelclabaugh9634]

I've been trying this same repair. I bought a soldering iron and desoldering pish button vacuum tube's from harbor freight, and I can NOT get the solder out from around the base of these pins lol. Bought a better setup, bout to try again. Awsome job btw

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Yes, good tools are a must. I hope you have success. If you truly get in a jam, I may be able to help you. LMK. Randy Please share my channel,,,,

[@michaelclabaugh9634]

@digitaloverdrivesystems thanks! I ended up with the same issue. Could not get all the solder from around the pins. So I ended going the bypass route, as I needed my truck for my business.

[@keithnoneya]

Nice work. You solder like an old Navy 2M technician. LOL Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@sumatrican5990]

I was about to drop the tank in wife’s 04 expedition! Thanks a ton!! Still may have to but I’m running this one down first. I would have lost my sht if I dropped the fuel tank and replaced that over priced p.o.s. Pump and not fixed it! Thanks friend

[@octaviogarcia928]

You can check voltage on the gas pump before and also there's module in between the pump and fuse box. It sits on rear wheel driver side you can test with a lead or pin super easy . I went thru all this and it's painful

[@sumatrican5990]

@@octaviogarcia928 thanks!

[@cesarrecinos9441]

It helps me a lot, thanks for the video

[@tigeraudio]

So during the process of tracing all of this down on mine, and figuring out that the PCM was not GROUNDING the internal relay for the fuel pump, I killed the center section of the dash. Power windows, HVAC, radio are all dead currently. My truck is a 7.3. I assume yours is a 6.0. I wonder if the fuse boxes are the same. They sure look the same.

[@alviney5138]

an easy touch and mega patience

[@BrianDaggett-e6p]

That is probably what's wrong with my truck thanks

[@evanleonardomirandacruz6031]

Where have you been this whole year sir! I've been looking for a tutorial like this for those modules 🎉

[@lh883]

I have a 2004 ford expedition 5.4L same problem the engine stall set for a while than stated back up than stall again for the last time rented a 3100 Lat from auto zone the code is the same P0231 The fuse block on this ford located passenger side below the Dash on the side panel. I'm sure same year same code same problem I think I'm going to tackle this it's not rocket science thanks for the video. And also, I have the tools.

[@jorgerodriguez-wv4ul]

Holly-Molly! That's a lot of work. I'm just gonna pay 2 get rebuilt unit

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Thats great if you can, but remember though, there are a lot of people that couldn't come up with enough cash to just go buy one.... It is a struggle for many dads to keep their families safe and put food on the table...

[@cgschow1971]

On my Expedition, I had mine out, disassembled, new relay put in, reassembled, reinstalled, and done in about an hour. I'm out $6 for a relay. Way better IMO, than spending $500 for a new one, or sending one out to fix for $150.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

@@cgschow1971 nice. I hope my channel helped you some.

[@RaulAAngel]

Hey everyone am i the only one that figured this problem i guess so ,ok here we go the relay yes is popped,all this is happening do to bad or faulty grounding go ckeck your ground cables from your battery i know for a fact there going to be either dirty or loose,thats all theres to it clean them and tighten them up and problem solve for life,ifvyou know about grounding its only common sense if its not grounded its going to heat everything on its path and then burn with time,take care of that ground and problem solved ,the fuel pumps are good and the relays as long as theres good grounding, good luck everyone and god bless

[@PaulaStoochnow-yo3yp]

Your amazing thank you so much 😊

[@rossbittner6831]

A set of bicycle tire changing spudgers would be perfect for prying the cover! They're plastic so they don't scratch or bend aluminum bike wheels

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

A little too big I think, but whatever works for you... Good luck...

[@deanmartin2332]

Ford is notorious for hiding relays in weird locations. I remember earlier Mustangs they hid these relays in the passenger fender well. I’m really starting to hate Ford and I’ve been a loyal Ford fan for decades. But this sort of fuckery is bs. These relays and fuses should be easily accessible. Not hidden.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

You got yourselves a new subscriber! Other than planned obsolescence, what would be wrong with a replaceable fuel pump relay?!

[@brianblithe2271]

Hope he answers you on that quest.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

There are quite a few replaceable relays in the system already. My only guess would be that Engineering underestimated the thermal portion of their design here. The coil in the relay obviously uses energy, and it dissipates it in the form of heat. Being enclosed in that box without ventilation, the heat continues to build until the coil windings eventually fail (the tiny coil wire melts somewhere and opens the circuit like a fuse would). That is only my guess though, as the contacts of the relay didn't fail, the coil did...... Cheers! BTW, I got 258,000 miles out of the little bastard. I just sucks because you can be stranded by it at anytime :)

[@bobbyshaftoe]

does anyone here know the part number of the female relay "junction connectors", and the ones for the fuses too? I am referring to the female to female blade connectors under the black plastic fuse box cover... I need replacements.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

That could be a tough one... You may have to try to find a junk box and cannibalize it... Sorry I cannot help. Cheers!

[@charlieromeo7663]

Why wouldn’t they use a SSR for these? Also, what year are those pennies? Did you know the newer ones aren’t all copper?

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Solid State Relays would have been better but were probably too costly in 2004 vs mechanical relay which are only a couple dollars wholesale. You can make fun, but I fixed the damn thing....

[@soldierscraft9213]

Do u have link to the relay

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2DDS1NP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[@brianblithe2271]

Just great video, this find and documentation is Master Mech. level. The relay you linked to says it is omron brand too but only down in the last paragraph in product description. Gotta ask, is it still working ?

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Still working fine. I have no reason to think it would fail again for many thousands of miles..

[@barkerstreellc]

Good stuff

[@bxtbill]

Is it same for a 02 7.3l?

[@hankwilliams2761]

Thank you.

[@cma8165]

@DigitalOverdrive: Will a CJB from a 2003 Expedition 4X2 (w/out factory alarm) work in a 2004 Expedition 4X4 (w/factory alarm)? I have a new CJB from my son's totaled 2003 Expedition that I would like to swap in my 2004 Expedition, cause the fuel pump relay switch is burned up. I will set them side by side on my work table and compare them front and back to see if they are the same. If they look the same I will install the new CJB from the 03 Expedition on my 04 Expedition, hoping that it works. Please reply soon. Thanks.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Sorry but I do not know the answer to that. Maybe have the dealer look up the part for both vehicles and see if it is the same one.

[@cma8165]

@@digitaloverdrivesystems So I carefully compared both Central Junction Boxes yesterday and they are identical to each other. All the plug-ins are exactly the same, the needle like connections are the same and both boxes are identical, there is no noticeable difference between them. The only difference is in the Ford identification numbers, where the 2003 is: 3L7Z-14A068-AB and the 2004 is: 4L1Z-14A068-AB. So today I will try to make the swap and hopefully it'll be successful, otherwise it'll cost me a lot more, and my 2004 Expedition has 408,775 miles.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

@@cma8165Sounds like you should be good. LMK how it works out for you...

[@cma8165]

@@digitaloverdrivesystems So I swapped the CJB into my 2004 Expedition that I removed from the totaled 2003 Expedition, cause it was only used for 2 months after it was purchased new from the local Ford dealer for over $400 dollars. The swap was a total success, thank God. I thought about sending out the bad CJB to get it overhauled but I saved from having to do that with this swap. Thanks for posting your video in KZbin and your replies are greatly appreciated.

[@Movingyourstuff]

What size engine inside your excursion?

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

5.4

[@Quick_Fast_Hurry]

When you would crank no start was the fuse panel continuously clicking whilst attempting to start?

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

No, not that I could hear.

[@brianblithe2271]

Hey chief, do you have any idea what the four other mini ( non servicable ) circuit board relays are ?

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Sorry but I would have to find and study a schematic to tell you that. I wouldn't worry about the others though as they do not have a history of failure.... Cheers!

[@bobbyshaftoe]

The other relays DO go bad! This video is fantastic but it is titled too specifically. Other power gremlins occur which are due to the other power circuits on the CJB. In my case: the brake warn light + chime along with cruise control, blinkers, and DRL's (daytime running lights) all go haywire via another circuit on this board. Again, this video is fantastic because it actually shows how to properly deconstruct the CJB assembly and how to correctly R&R the damage. Please update your video title to encompass the broader range: This is for all 2002 model year F-superduty trucks build AFTER July 2001 and is applicable through the 2007 model year trucks (with ANY power or ground problems related to the CJB). The prior setup (1999-early until the early 2002 model year) used the GEM .. which contained the logic which the later model (CJB equipped) instrument cluster took over. @@digitaloverdrivesystems

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

Thanks, I took your advice on the title. I am not proficient with the making and editing this stuff though, as you can probably tell. Cheers!

[@brianblithe2271]

@@digitaloverdrivesystems You might want add a / BCM (body control module), thats what ford specifically calls the fuse panel for these years trucks, may be called the central junction box now but not back then, cheers

[@mr.sierra4409]

Mucho trabajo 😮😮

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

@@mr.sierra4409 Easy if you have the skills and patience.

[@davidrhoades8849]

Great video! I have an 03' F250 Gas gave the signs for fuel pump, took it into local shop changed it. Ran good for a day then back to it. I've since bought another panel, but one letter off so my wipers don't work. If anyone could point me in the right direction to finding the right relay would help. My numbers are f8vf-ba 2443a23c, I have an old boss that will do the change out I need find the right part. TIA! Again Great video & subscribed Thanks,

[@deanmartin2332]

Torch it and save yourself some aggravation 😂

[@cgschow1971]

The part numbers need to match. There are differences in the PCBs and Ford was notorious for doing mid-year changes. Only option is find a vehicle with same trim level and options and near your month/year of production. You should match the part numbers exactly, or go bother the Ford dealer and see if the numbers cross match. Best to repair your existing box, if the board is not fried. Make sure to order the upgraded relay.

[@marcusleatherwood1582]

I put everything back together now my engine wont turn over any ideas.

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

So sorry to hear. Maybe start with checking all the fuses...

[@Dot-bs4yv]

Seems the best option would be to bypass and replace with external relay :/

[@alviney5138]

wunnerful

[@joeabonto5252]

I'm from the Phils.🇵🇭 I have a problem on ford expedition crank only no start the problem is in fuel pump.i don't know if I have to re place a new one or to check also from fuses to harness up to fuel pump driver.i hope If I chat to ask you would like to help me?

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

If you cand find the wires that send power to the fuel pump, you can measure the voltage with the key "on" to see if it is getting power. If it is, replacement of the pump is in order. If there is "no" voltage to the pump, you will need to check the fuses first and then the relay. The placement of the relay varies from truck to truck, but is buried somewhere in the fuse block assembly.

[@cesarrecinos9441]

Also he needs to check the fuel pump breaker, it may need to reset it.

[@juliotorres512]

I have bypass that relay!(

[@CharlesGwinn-ep9pb]

FORDS ARE PIECES OF ....looking for a chevy

[@roccowyatt2473]

😒 Promo`SM

[@digitaloverdrivesystems]

I have absolutely no idea what that means...