Bought a 2021 Salvaged SE Escape, needed another key programmed, a Locksmith unsuccessful programming it, promised come back with a $10000 Scanner next day, Never returned many days many excuses, Problems started Immediately after he Left, No problem for 2+ weeks I drove it before, with wiring harness as Dealer wants to blame now, and want to charge 10 hours to check harness, after dealer got done extracting a couple of hours charge, now has even more problems, they did program key and did 3 recalls no cost to me, including reprogram of PCM. Now my cheap scanner a Ancel AD530 no longer works, which I used Before and after purchase no problems except 1 minor leakfuel emmisions fault, now it doesn't want to complete its start up faulters on "15014230-4KWP(5BPS) step, and notes problem comm. with ECM. Also the Start/Stop function at a Stop, no longer works, it did before Perfectly even before Battery replacement.
After locksmith very next day battery dead, a parasitic drain, blamed battery bad cell, even though less than 3 years old for original GSM batt., got new battery, strange things such as, headlights turn on 1 sec, then notice screen above console glowing at night and below it both Usb port leds turned on, able to shut off with two clicks of key fob, also dash chimes and flashes message for 1 sec or less, only able to read "hood ajar several times, external switch to back hatch sometimes doesn't work but key fob always works, after locksmith had a ECM comm fault which cleared on its own after time after battery replacement.
I did pre charge on battery and reset of Battery management system, 3 clicks of brights and 2 presses on brake pedal with it not running, appeared to reset according to dash, and also let it relearn for 8+ hours as suggested in owners manual, and did drain positive and negative connections through a 10 ohm 10 watt resistor as Scotty recommended to clear fault, which wasn't immediately successful.
Previous owner a Yemini auto mechanic( language challenge) and his Son (english proficient) drove it for a year no problems, I tend to believe them, because in the short time I owned it no problem, Until key program attempt, programmer also went from the supposed 20 min to over 1hr. trying, without a jump battery installed, may have run voltage down while programming?
How can I get some Competent Help, tried Dealer and they held my Vehicle for over 2 weeks, but only took 2 days to do the three recalls and key program, rest of time?
Now you found out why it's not a good idea to buy a salvaged car. If it was flooded I wouldn't have touched that thing with a 10 ft. Paul, once the car gets flooded with modern computers the insurance company's junk them. Then they sell them and salvage auctions and you're just messing with the rat's nest. Personally, I wouldn't go too far with one of those and I hope you didn't pay much for it
It wasn't flooded, I saw the before pictures by looking up VIN, Front end damage, and evidence of a previous repair to the back from another accident. Wife wanted it, saw on Facebook marketplace, all I had was a cheap Ancel AD530 Scanner which checked clear except for a minor leak in system for evaporative emmissions.. Know how to find a trustworthy electrical specialist mechanic? Paid about 14,700 with 19,000 miles, when salvaged was only 9000 miles but mechanics Son drove it for over a year, no problems previously they said, tend to believe them, and I saw no issues Until the Locksmith messed unsuccessfully with it, and then he ran for the Hills, Ouch!
.I think I will have to eventually invest in a much better scanner with bi-directional control included, and pay for access to electrical prints, I actually like troubleshooting challenges since I am a Instrument Tech. at a Steel Mill for over 30 yrs, but without proper tools cannot do the job. My Scanner only does Engine area checks.
Thanks Scotty for the Response I have been a big Fan of your Channel for a Long time, but only recently Subscribed, I wanted a Much higher mileage Toyota Sedan or small SUV.-non salvage