2005 Ford Freestar water getting in PCM

BLBYRD1222

MEMBER
2005 FORD FREESTAR

We have a 2005 Ford Freestar van. It keeps getting water into the PCM. We have had it sealed 4 times now. They have sealed everywhere they think the water could possibly be getting into (resealed the seal around it, sealed the cowling under wiper blade and even firewall) The mechanics that have been working on it do not know how to fix it now. They have had it 2 weeks this time and are unsure what to do with it. This is the 4th time since the first part of february. Do you know of any other way we can keep the water from getting into it? We are hurting terribly not having transportation for our family.

7 Replies

CADIEMAN

MECHANIC
3,544 POSTS

Is the a/c case draining. Poss. Drain is clogged. Spray the firewall and harness gromets with soapy water. Blow with a air gun on the interior firewall from under the dash. Then look for bubbles to form. If no they need to remove the dash to fix. Gl

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Monday, April 4th, 2011 AT 5:17 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,752 POSTS

Any chance it's coolant and not water? If it is coolant, unplug the coolant temperature sensor to see if it's wet inside the connector. Coolant has been well-known to wick through the wire insulation and end up in the Engine Computer.

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Monday, April 4th, 2011 AT 6:18 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

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11,004 POSTS

I do not know your rig, What about a hood vent Drain/ Drainage ports being stopped up with Leaves/ Gunk/ Etc. Even if it does drain, maybe its doing it slow and allowing water to get under "shingled" plastic/ body parts---Kinda like an "Ice Dam" on a roof top? Just a thought--I shut up and go away now!--The Medic

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Monday, April 4th, 2011 AT 10:42 AM

KRUISER

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I just had the same issue last week with my 2005 Freestar Sport. I got the van from family and knew it had some history of this problem. The mechanics my parents took it to thought they had is solved. Apparently not.

Here is what I discovered. First, one of my PCM mount brackets had broken. This did not allow the cover to seal to the firewall. They tried with silicon and a bag over the computer. Bag was useless and ripped before the cover was on. I fixed that by installing two self tapping bolts above and below the previous hole. Cover seals tight to firewall now.

Second, my cover had a crack and a hole on the top of it. Real easy for water to get in. I had a cover lying around from a 98 Windstar, identical and same part number. Crack and hole gone.

Third, and probably the reason for the mystery of where the water is coming from. When my computer was out, I felt in with my hand and there was water on the chassis directly above the PCM. Looking through the glove box area you can see a plastic cover over a stamping hole that is sealed in place (obviously not anymore). There was some evidence of water leakage out of this area and down to the PCM. Investigation revealed that there is an enclosed cavity (a boxed structure element that runs the width of the vehicle under the windshield. Water is getting into this cavity, accumulating and eventually getting down onto the PCM.

I found a TSB for a 2006 Freestar that describes installing a deflector under the lower cowl to route water away from the PCM cover in the engine bay. 3/4 through that TSB it says to remove two rubber grommets. I believe these grommets provide a drain for the enclosed cavity. Mine both had rust scale on them.

I also discovered that water gets in this cavity from the clips that hold the upper cowl cover (6 or 7 along the base of the windshield). If they lose their factory seal (through aging most likely) water gets in and has no where to get out. Eventually it does.

I just repaired it this past weekend so time will tell if I have solved the issue. Everything makes sense that it is better now but we will see.

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Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 6:58 PM

CARADIODOC