futurefordfusion Posted November 30, 2019 Share Posted November 30, 2019 (edited) I took my 2012 Fusion to the dealer to get the passenger airbag recall repair earlier this month. I haven't been driving after dark until this week, but now I've noticed that two things aren't working: 1.) The ambient light (LED) no longer works. (The control button itself lights at night). Previously I could press the button to change colors, although I normally keep it on red. I remember it working recently (before the recall). 2.) The switch illumination for the Traction Control disable button no longer works. This button is near the ambient light button. Has anyone else had similar stop working after the airbag recall? The dealer did say they had to remove the entire dashboard area to do the recall, so I'm sure this area was disturbed. I've contacted them, but now will have to see if they will protest restoring the car to the way it was. I'm looking for any other stories or experiences with airbag recall work and things not working afterward. I am also wondering what else might be disconnected or not working? ( I will check the pressure switch that disables the passenger airbag if there is a small weight on the seat.) Anything else I should check? Edited November 30, 2019 by futurefordfusion 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted November 30, 2019 Share Posted November 30, 2019 Problem 1 & 2 are related to the same small module or connector located at the bottom of the center stack. Possibly only a connector not properly seated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurefordfusion Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 16 hours ago, eGuru said: Problem 1 & 2 are related to the same small module or connector located at the bottom of the center stack. Possibly only a connector not properly seated. eGuru, Thank you for taking the time to respond with your expertise. I'm assuming the dealer will have to open up the entire dashboard again to resolve. I'm also assuming I will have to argue with them to fix it, but we shall see. Why would these problems surface at the time of passenger airbag fix? Would they have been working nearby, or is it possible the connectors were just bumped? I'm curious why the TCS switch illumination does not work, but the TCS switch itself appears to work (amber indicator on dash toggles on/off when the TCS switch button is pressed. Conversely, the ambient lighting button IS illuminated at night, but the ambient lighting that it controls doesn't work at all. Perhaps a coincidence. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyross Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 The center console needs to be at least partially removed so they can then remove the passenger side of the dash and get at the airbag. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 21 hours ago, futurefordfusion said: eGuru, Thank you for taking the time to respond with your expertise. I'm assuming the dealer will have to open up the entire dashboard again to resolve. I'm also assuming I will have to argue with them to fix it, but we shall see. Why would these problems surface at the time of passenger airbag fix? Would they have been working nearby, or is it possible the connectors were just bumped? I'm curious why the TCS switch illumination does not work, but the TCS switch itself appears to work (amber indicator on dash toggles on/off when the TCS switch button is pressed. Conversely, the ambient lighting button IS illuminated at night, but the ambient lighting that it controls doesn't work at all. Perhaps a coincidence. Possibly due to a broken wire or splice (in the center console) due to the wire being stretched when the dash was tipped backwards if the tech didn't disconnect the connectors. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurefordfusion Posted December 22, 2019 Author Share Posted December 22, 2019 (edited) Update: The dealer was able to restore the ambient lighting after a second 2 day repair. But the TCS (Traction Control System) OFF switch is not illuminated. (The ambient lighting switch is illuminated, although it is now a different color than every other button on the panel). The dealer says the TCS OFF button was never illuminated. I thought that it was, but I don't have any photos inside of my car at night to prove (or disprove) this. For anyone who has a 2012 Fusion SEL, does the TCS switch illuminate with the other instrument panel/dashboard lights at night or is it invisible? The TCS button does toggle the amber indicator on the dash, so the button itself appears to work. It's not the biggest thing in the world, but I just want to ensure the car after the airbag repair is the same as the car before the airbag repair. Edited December 22, 2019 by futurefordfusion 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propwash Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 I just checked my car, and the TCS OFF switch is illiuminated when the lights are on. It dims and brightens with the other instrument panel lights and indicators. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurefordfusion Posted December 23, 2019 Author Share Posted December 23, 2019 Propwash, can you send me a photo with the TCS OFF switch illuminated when you have a chance? I'd greatly appreciate it. What year/trim is your Fusion? ps. love the username 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFixer253 Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 (edited) I have the 2012 Fusion SEL and yes the TCS button is illuminated along with all the other controls and buttons in the center console. Sounds like the dealer you're working with has some careless techs working on your car. They should have checked all the lights before putting everything back together. I'm taking in my Fusion on Dec. 26th for the airbag recall and thanks to your experience I will be checking everything before I drive away from the dealer's lot. Edited December 23, 2019 by TheFixer253 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 12 minutes ago, TheFixer253 said: I have the 2012 Fusion SEL and yes the TCS button is illuminated along with all the other controls and buttons in the center console. Sounds like the dealer you're working with has some careless techs working on your car. They should have checked all the lights before putting everything back together. The Techs would have had to do a check before starting work otherwise they could possibly waste effort troubleshooting/repairing a pre-existing fault that was not caused by the recall work. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propwash Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, futurefordfusion said: Propwash, can you send me a photo with the TCS OFF switch illuminated when you have a chance? I'd greatly appreciate it. What year/trim is your Fusion? Mine is just like yours--a 2012 SEL. I'll try to attach a photo of the illuminated switch. Hope this helps. Good luck at the dealership. Edited December 23, 2019 by propwash 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangster Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 3 hours ago, eGuru said: The Techs would have had to do a check before starting work otherwise they could possibly waste effort troubleshooting/repairing a pre-existing fault that was not caused by the recall work. I made a checklist from all the things people here have posted as broken after the service. I doubt the service manager will sit with me as we go over it all and check it off a list before and after the service. Last dealer tech side visit for me they left a rag in the airbox. Last 2 quick lane LOF side they left a wad of nasty paper towels in it and didn't rotate the tires (I marked them to be curious if they just went front to back or not). I will probably document everything working in a video and then check again and go from there. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurefordfusion Posted December 23, 2019 Author Share Posted December 23, 2019 8 hours ago, eGuru said: The Techs would have had to do a check before starting work otherwise they could possibly waste effort troubleshooting/repairing a pre-existing fault that was not caused by the recall work. I would be satisfied if they just check their own work and fix any wires broken by removing the panels incorrectly/correctly. I'm already concerned about what other shortcuts were taken during the airbag installation. Reading the recall service instructions, it is very important to keep debris out of the airbag area and do everything exactly as described in the instructions. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangster Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 I can guarantee that after the first dozen or so they get shortcuts to drop the labor time involved in doing the job. I am sure that they find just how far they can bend the dash and not need to fully disconnect it, or don't secure the unattached steering wheel/column, etc. At first just to get the job done in the given time frame, but then to get even lower than the specified time to complete it. I know someone that has done quite a few of these, and he has posted pictures of it, and I am not sure if I want to see my car in that amount of disassembly, or even more as I am sure they are supposed to do. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurefordfusion Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 11 hours ago, propwash said: Propwash, thank you very much for the photo! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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