My first DTC (seat module -SCME). Input welcome.

[Elp_jc]

Hey gang, did a quick FORScan change, and immediately noticed a DTC when it connected, which was the first time ever (pictures below). Probably happened on our last trip, where we used the seat ventilation (very ineffective, by the way) for several hours. I grabbed something from behind my wife's seat, and noticed it was quite hot back there when close to home, so I proceeded to turn both off. Didn't notice any difference (ha ha), but not sure if my seat was working or not (the LEDs were on though).

Anyway, I erased the code, to see what happens. But have a few questions. First, what 'circuit resistance below threshold' really means? Is there a problem with the module, or the TED itself? Is something about to crap out? Did the TED overheat? And if yes, isn't it supposed to shut off by itself before anything happens? Has this happened to anybody else? Just curious what's the implication of that code. And no, I'm not going to take my car to a dealer just for that (at least not now), so please don't suggest that. That damn feature works so badly that I'd probably leave it alone if it fails, rather than having to take my car to a dealer just for that... unless it's something I can easily change myself. Oh, and where is the SCME module?

Finally, what the heck do the first and third items on the STATUS mean, especially the 'previously set DTC' part? What the heck? It's the first time I ever see a DTC on my car, so does that mean it set that code before, when dealer owned it? All comments welcome. Thanks gang.
JC

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[Elp_jc]

Have an update. Went to a mountain drive today (300 miles round trip), and seat ventilation worked, so at least for the time being, it's working. I could feel it at the bottom, now that it's not that hot anymore... but not at the seatback at all, which sucks. Hopefully somebody has an idea what the DTC means. Thank you.

 

[kz]

I looked up manual and what it says to do in case of this code - do a pinpoint test O, which is a series of electrical connection tests for driver's backseat blower motor. DCT just really says there is short somewhere and it isn't really explained other than that. PM me with your email and I'll send you a page for Diagnosis and Testing for front seats that tells you what to do in case of all the codes, B14BA included.

Not very DYI to me unless you're skilled with multimeter and can figure out all the connectors.

 

[Elp_jc]

Thanks brother; will PM you right now. But if it was a short, it wouldn't be working anymore, no? It was working fine yesterday, and as far as I know, it hasn't stopped working at all. Maybe when it got too hot? I could only check connectors... if that doesn't require undoing anything other than a zipper, or a hook that I can put back like factory. Hopefully those instructions will say where the module is, which I thought it could be the culprit, based on the description. But yes, reading the documents you're going to send me will give me a better idea what might be going on. Thanks again.

 

[Elp_jc]

Looks like I'll have to deal with this sooner rather than later. Did another FORScan change yesterday, and the stupid fault was there again, so whatever it is, it's getting worse. Seat ventilation keeps working, however; at least the ventilation (fan) part, so it might be just the TED part (cooling) acting up... which is worth crap anyway. The better question is if that code affects seat heating too. Guess I'll find out in winter. Will read the documents Kz graciously sent (thanks man).

 

[Cobra Jet]

Not sure if this might be an issue with your S550, being it was a problem in prior year S550’s, but check your seat harness connectors:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...lick-cant-find-the-relay.112533/#post-2935331

 

[Elp_jc]

Thank you for the heads up. Will check the connectors tomorrow... but only below the driver's seat (where the problem is), right? Or should I check the passenger side too? And should I add dielectric grease to the female connectors, or just leave them alone? Trying to figure out what exactly 'circuit resistance below threshold' could mean. A bad ground has too much resistance, no? Could it be the module itself? Will check that the seat cooling is working again, before connecting the car to FORScan, to see if I can reset the SCME (or maybe SCM) module. And to erase that damn code again, if needed.

 

[GT Pony]

Have an update. Went to a mountain drive today (300 miles round trip), and seat ventilation worked, so at least for the time being, it's working. I could feel it at the bottom, now that it's not that hot anymore... but not at the seatback at all, which sucks. Hopefully somebody has an idea what the DTC means. Thank you.

The DTC description in your first photo says it's the circuit for the seat back TED. So if you couldn't feel any cooling on the seat back then that makes sense that the TED circuit isn't working for whatever reason. Turn on the passenger side seat cooling and see if the seat back cools - should be able to feel it with your hand to tell. There is a separate TED in the seat bottom and the seat back.

 

[Elp_jc]

The seatback never seemed to work neither for me, nor my wife since new. But the weird thing is it just threw a code recently, and only on my side. But will do what you suggested, and see if I can feel any difference on the passenger seat. So it sounds like it's internal to the TED, but the troubleshooting guide calls for a bunch of crap. Probably for the other several codes listed in that guide. The only possible one for the TED is the connector to it. But since the TED is an integrated unit with the blower, you have to replace the entire thing as a unit... which requires seat removal, and gutting the cover, which I will not do under my ownership. Will report what I found out after doing the test you suggested, and listening for the fans both below and on the seatback.

 

[Elp_jc]

Okay, checked the seats, and all 4 fans turn on. The seats don't feel cold to the touch at all, but a little cooler than ambient. Both seats feel exactly the same, with the cushions feeling cooler, and the backs not at all (which is exactly how they feel while traveling).

Just need to know which modules (DSM or SCM-E, or both) to remove connectors from, and where exactly are they. And see if that helps. And maybe apply dielectric grease to them. But the bottom line is the fan is working on my seat, so probably the TED unit crapped out. But since the passenger seat is not any better with it supposedly working, AND there's no hard DCT (only a soft one, which I will not erase anymore, by the way), will keep it as is, and hope the heat works at least as bad as the cooling function (ha ha). And also that it doesn't crap out during my ownership. The heat function I hardly ever use on any car, and only for a few minutes when I do. The cooling, on the other hand, I can use for hours... and that's probably what happened to my TED. Even though it didn't shut off due to 'overtemperature' (there's another DTC for that), something was defective that damaged it.

Will let you know if whichever connectors you guys suggest to check work or not. I also want to try to reset either or both of those modules via FORScan if possible. Need to hook FORScan and see if they're available under the wrench menu. Thank you gang.
JC

 

[Cobra Jet]

@Elp_jc

I was looking through some docs I have stored and came across this one; it’s over 200 pages. It pertains to only the front seats.

I’m hoping it will help with your quest BUT this is applicable to the 2015-2017’s. There were changes in 2018 to the front seats with the airbags and/or their wiring based on older threads on here (can’t easily swap seats 2015-2017 into 2018+ or 2018+ into 2015-17 without hacks).

I’d imagine the basic wiring, modules and trouble shooting has remained the same though - so take a look and see if there’s anything that is helpful.

 

[Elp_jc]

Thank you very much. You know, what I did 2 weeks ago, before leaving for a 2K-mile trip last week, was to remove the seat (DSM) module, and all 4 connectors. As expected, nothing was amiss. I was going to add dielectric grease, but my electrical engineer cousin advised me against that (not exposed to moisture), so just plugged them back. In addition to that, I reset both the DSM and SCM-E modules via FORScan, and after using the cooling function for about 10 minutes, it didn't throw any codes. I used it way more than that on my trip last week, so need to check again for codes... but it worked fine. If I don't find any codes now, it'd be great. I'm almost sure it happened when I left the cooling on for over an hour, and got hot. Now I'm using it only like 15 minutes at a time, and if no codes, will keep doing that. Will keep you guys posted, and thank you again for your great help .

 

[Cobra Jet]

@Elp_jc

not sure if you ever resolved your issue or if you have seen this thread:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/heated-cooled-seats-mystery.152156/

Seems towards the last few pages of the above thread folks are finding a wrong seat module has been installed into their S550.

 

[Elp_jc]

Thank you. After resetting both seat modules, the soft code (resistance too low) didn't appear after a long trip, although I didn't want to leave seat cooling turned on for too long, since the back of the seat gets quite hot. Haven't tried the heat function though, but won't use it anymore. Used the car today, and forgot to try it, just to make sure it's working. Car has to be running, so maybe next time. What I need to check is the connector under the passenger seat, to make sure it's not showing any signs of problems.

 

[mrdrummer]

Thank you. After resetting both seat modules, the soft code (resistance too low) didn't appear after a long trip, although I didn't want to leave seat cooling turned on for too long, since the back of the seat gets quite hot. Haven't tried the heat function though, but won't use it anymore. Used the car today, and forgot to try it, just to make sure it's working. Car has to be running, so maybe next time. What I need to check is the connector under the passenger seat, to make sure it's not showing any signs of problems.

Did you ever find the solution for this, did unplugging and reset really work? Mine is coming up with the code B14BA:13-48. Not heat or cool or any fan comes on. Passenger side is perfectly fine, RHD tho.

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