Hi, I’m hoping somebody can advise. My 2014 Ford Smax won’t start and has been taken to our local ford dealership. The rac ran a diagnostic prior to transporting the car to ford. This showed that temp sensors were faulty, error codes P244D and P042A if that helps

Ford have now reviewed and believe the fault may lie with the exhaust temperature sensors and replacing them potentially could fix the problem. However they have highlighted that they’ve seen a similar issue with another customer and the fault returned after 6-8 weeks and at that point they completed more diagnosis and identified that the engine ecu needed to be replaced, however apparently ford have discontinued the 2014 smax engine ecu and they have told me that a used engine ecu is not suitable so effectively the car could be finished.

My questions for this forum in terms of a second opinion are:

- have ford discontinued the 2014 smax engine ecu?

- can a used engine ecu part not be installed? Does anybody have experience of this?

thanks in advance. It’s just frustrating to be told that a 10 year old car, which we just had the cambelt replaced! And has only done 60k miles could be declared useless.

2 minutes ago, Mappy said:

Ford have now reviewed and believe the fault may lie with the exhaust temperature sensors and replacing them potentially could fix the problem

Potentially drain your bank balance too.

Tell them you're paying them to diagnose, not guess.

3 minutes ago, Mappy said:

have ford discontinued the 2014 smax engine ecu?

Yes

 

3 minutes ago, Mappy said:

can a used engine ecu part not be installed? Does anybody have experience of this?

Yes

Ford will not source and fit a used part for you.

The ECU will have a unique part number, search and buy a used (guaranteed) replacement that has EXACTLY the same FULL part number

Fit it to your vehicle and then tow it back to Ford and they will reprogram  it for you

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

Potentially drain your bank balance too.

Tell them you're paying them to diagnose, not guess.

Yes

 

Yes

Ford will not source and fit a used part for you.

The ECU will have a unique part number, search and buy a used (guaranteed) replacement that has EXACTLY the same FULL part number

Fit it to your vehicle and then tow it back to Ford and they will reprogram  it for you

Thanks Dave, much appreciated. Do Ford specifically need to reprogram the used ECU after it's fitted or can an independent specialist reprogram it?

I'd probably recommend Ford

Keys will need reprogramming too

There are likely other companies (can point you to one if necessary) that can likely either repair (lifetime warranty if they are able) or reprogram yours into a used part if that becomes an option.

Edit (if appropriate):

https://www.ecutesting.com/common-faults/ford/s-max-galaxy-ecu-fault/