Constant Control Relay Module

It's all about assembly time. The new cars all have multiple modules now. Some cars have 5 or more.

In the 80s cars were built to last a long time. Relays, fuses, and bulbs were standard sizes. They realized that people would replace their own parts and drive hundreds of thousands of miles. The cars made now are like disposable cars. No one wants to have to buy an expensive module or have to go to the dealer for repairs.... so they sell you another car. Its all a hook to get people into newer cars when the old ones break. Dealerships don't even stock parts after 10 years anymore.

I'm sure it was cheaper and quicker for ford to build the CCRM. They didn't care about replacement. As long as it got through the warranty period is all they care about.

Engineers are stupid....every mechanic knows this...

Engineers are stupid....every mechanic knows this...

Why did thy put the ECM under the k member on newer mustangs ? Its literally the lowest thing on the front of the car.

90sickfox said:

Why did thy put the ECM under the k member on newer mustangs ? Its literally the lowest thing on the front of the car.

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The ECM/ECU/PCM, all referred to as either the Power-train control module, Engine control module or Engine control unit is located in the engine compartment on the passengers side next to/ under the fuse box. The "ECU" that is by the K member is the controls for the EPAS...also known as the electronic power assist steering. There is no hydraulic power steering pump anymore, it is an electric motor attached to the steering rack.

I tried to dumb it down a bit....had no idea you were well versed in automotive abbreviations. It is the electronic steering assist module...and still is an Electronic Control Module.

Still....it shouldn't be the lowest thing on the car. Still....it is a bad design.

I work on newer cars everyday...all day. I know more about electronic control systems and can bus lines than I'd ever wish anyone to have to learn. From the cheapest Smart car to twin turbo Porches. All makes and models come through our shop..including Bentley's and Hyundai's.

Over 25yrs diagnosing and repairing cars. All makes and modules call things by different names but they are, essentially, talking about the same thing.

When Chrysler started putting the ECM and TCM under the hood under the battery tray people quickly found out that the heat and moisture caused serious issues for the modules and their harnesses. The same happened when Chevy put their PCM in about the same location on Chevy trucks....so did chrysler, again, when they put the TIPM module under the hood. That thing is a piece of . So is Honda's TIPM.

People that have been doing this for a long time know that nothing is better than mounting an electronic control unit inside the vehicle. Insulating and isolating gel has its limitations over time. Harness seals also have limitations over time. Especially, when exposed to under hood conditions. ( heat, vibration, moisture )

Car companies aren't building cars to last or be simple to work on.

The sad thing is the complexity of vehicle systems keeps increasing....but technician pay and training is not. Electric assisted power steering, braking, suspension dampening, lane departure, and parking are cool....but electrical stuff breaks...and when it does there is no repair...unless your mechanic is an IT tech, too.

That means replacement is necessary and you better hope you can flash or reset the steering angle settings.

The only major repairs used to be limited to engines and transmissions. Now, the module failures and repairs could push the estimated beyond the limits of the average Joe.

So what Fies average Joe do ?....buy another vehicle that has a 3/36 basic and 5/100 power train warranty.

90sickfox said:

I tried to dumb it down a bit....had no idea you were well versed in automotive abbreviations. It is the electronic steering assist module...and still is an Electronic Control Module.

Still....it shouldn't be the lowest thing on the car. Still....it is a bad design.

I work on newer cars everyday...all day. I know more about electronic control systems and can bus lines than I'd ever wish anyone to have to learn. From the cheapest Smart car to twin turbo Porches. All makes and models come through our shop..including Bentley's and Hyundai's.

Over 25yrs diagnosing and repairing cars. All makes and modules call things by different names but they are, essentially, talking about the same thing.

When Chrysler started putting the ECM and TCM under the hood under the battery tray people quickly found out that the heat and moisture caused serious issues for the modules and their harnesses. The same happened when Chevy put their PCM in about the same location on Chevy trucks....so did chrysler, again, when they put the TIPM module under the hood. That thing is a piece of . So is Honda's TIPM.
.

That means replacement is necessary and you better hope you can flash or reset the steering angle settings.
.

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Most alignment racks are set up to re-set the steering angle sensor on most cars/trucks. It is all part of the alignment process now.
Porsche Cabriolets are notorious for having the BCM under the drivers seat, the lowest point inside the car, and Cab's are notorious for leaking water when it rains, so the first thing that gets wet is the BCM. Brilliant!
In my experience Fords have very robust electronics. M/B is probably the worst along with Chrysler. They (Chrysler) even put the windshield wiper relay inside the Power-train control module on minivans, (late 90's early 2000's) so when the wipers quit you had to replace the PCM. I am sure you can quote several other examples of such wonderful feats in engineering. As I am sure you are aware that Ford is not the only company to place the EPAS module on the steering rack, which by necessity (most of the time) is down low in the chassis.

Bullitt347 said:

Most alignment racks are set up to re-set the steering angle sensor on most cars/trucks. It is all part of the alignment process now.
Porsche Cabriolets are notorious for having the BCM under the drivers seat, the lowest point inside the car, and Cab's are notorious for leaking water when it rains, so the first thing that gets wet is the BCM. Brilliant!
In my experience Fords have very robust electronics. M/B is probably the worst along with Chrysler. They (Chrysler) even put the windshield wiper relay inside the Power-train control module on minivans, (late 90's early 2000's) so when the wipers quit you had to replace the PCM. I am sure you can quote several other examples of such wonderful feats in engineering. As I am sure you are aware that Ford is not the only company to place the EPAS module on the steering rack, which by necessity (most of the time) is down low in the chassis.

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I have a set of kick plates, caster camber gauges, and an ( Autel ) that can reset most. The scanner I have is impractical for the average person. We've had a few 2014- 15 f150s with EPAS fail spontaneously. Those trucks are hell to steer manually. The Hyundai EPAS is a joke...we won't even get into Chevy's.

Audi put their fuse box ( TIPM ) right under the left corner of the windshield. One bad rain storm away from being flooded out. That area easily holds a gollon of water. Smh.

Glad you found info on the CCRM....the security key system is another one of fords nice little tricks. Its awesome if someone wants to steal your car....but if anything goes wrong with it off to the dealer the car goes. Only Ford has access to that neat bit of info.

At least with a Chevy you can bypass it with a stack of resistors. Smh...the old ones anyway.

Is there info out there to build an external CCRM ? At least that way the relays could be changed easily.

CCRM relays - all CCRM relays are located under the hood

CCRM location
Diagram courtesy of http://ww2.justanswer.com

Click on diagram to enlarge it




CCRM Diagram
Diagram courtesy of http://diagrams.hissind.com/

Not all engineers are stupid...my father in- law is a nuclear engineer and pretty dag on smart. Now I know 2 smart ones. Lol

But....I still think automotive engineers are stupid. I know they're doing a balancing act between cost, efficiency, and wear. They still do some dumb stuff...guess they're only human.