05 x350 4.2l has the been dead since March. it drove in to its current location no problem then was completely dead the next day. nothing, no lights, no crank, nada. a new battery installed and still nothing. I have been rigorously cleaning and checking connections. i have checked and cleaned the posts behind the headlamps. i have got some functions back but currently showing cats, air susp, washer fluid and a few other faults. the radio is back, the ac comes on although without the engine running its function is unknown. the gear shifter can be moved with key on, pedal depressed. there is no fuel gauge action. windows work. i have v131 sdd but it doesnt seem to work on this car very well. its on a VM windows XP. so, its complicated.

says it needs updates to proceed.

 

Do a rudimentary test: remove the cables from the new battery and hold the cable clamps together for 20 seconds or so. Put the cables back on the battery (ground first) the positive. Let's go from there. You can PM me is you wish. Good luck.

 

Check to make sure that the battery terminals are clean and snug.

 

yup, of course. did that and a hard reset. nothing. ill have to put my thinking cap on for a few days.

 

Hi sirdigby,

Looks like SDD is seeing all of the common modules on the various comms buses which is a good start.

Just trying to understand your "no lights" symptom (no dash warning lights, no instrument illumination lights or no headlights)?
When you insert your key into the ignition, do you hear the steering lock actuator respond?
When you roll the key into the 2 position, do you get the usual warning lights coming up on the cluster display prior to rolling it further into the start position?

 

You need to force your VM to have date mid 2012. SDD will want to update if the date is not set. Also make sure your VM does not have any network connectivity. If you do that you will get many answers to your problems.

 

interesting and i have heard of this before but i am not sure how to check that or how to make that change? more research. ill post the result. thanks.

 

thanks for the response H202steam. to be honest i dont know the answer to that. what is strange is that after tinkering around with various grounds and cleaning all sorts of plugs etc some functionality returned, but not the operation of the starter motor. I'm wondering if the key might be corrupted somehow. I will pay more attention next time i'm at the car (this week hopefully) and take notes. in the meantime i have to see what the date is on my VM.

 

just checked the date on my VM windows XP is august 28 2012 so that should be ok