The Ford LSRNS navigation fault is linked to a factory defect in these units. The symptoms are often so unusual that users needlessly look for the fault in the car’s electrical system and incur unnecessary costs. Fortunately, we know this subject inside out, and in this article we explain what the problem is.

By reading this post, you will learn:

What is the real cause of the fault that prevents the navigation from switching on
How the unit can be repaired effectively
Whether there is a chance of a free repair

Additionally:

We will debunk the myth related to using a hairdryer for repair purposes
We will explain why heating and warming up are methods used by pseudo workshops
We will explain how the correct replacement parts used for repair differ from poor-quality copies

We will also tell you how repair is carried out at our workshop and how this service at Komtel Serwis differs from others offered online.

Could your navigation be faulty?

Let us start by explaining a few basic terms. If you are not sure whether this post applies to your navigation, let us show you a few examples:

Units with a small LCD display without touchscreen function are FX, that is LSRNS (Low Series Radio Navigation System). The first units in this series were assigned part number 7612300520, the last ones released for sale were 761233695. Over the years, the manufacturer remained Blaupunkt / Bosch without change.

These radios were fitted in the following models:

C-MAX (C214)
Kuga (C394)
Focus (C307)
Focus cabrio (S389)
Galaxy (CD340)
Mondeo (CD345)
Transit

When browsing internet forums devoted to Fords, we can easily find posts on this topic. If this problem has not affected you so far, we do not have good news. It is a factory defect and the fault will usually appear sooner or later.

Ford navigation won’t switch on – why?

It all starts with minor faults – the radio does not power up when you turn the key. In this situation, starting the navigation using the power button, or briefly removing the fuse or disconnecting the battery, helps. It may seem like a temporary issue, but the truth is different.

You only find out when, on one of those occasions, you turn the key and the car does not respond. You check the battery – flat. Charging it takes you quite a while, but eventually the car starts. The next day the story repeats itself…

At this point you suspect the battery and will probably want to replace it. Worse still, some people start looking for faults in the wiring and other car components – and that means a hefty bill from a mechanic. Meanwhile, the cause of your problems is neither a faulty battery nor an electrical fault in the car.

Some Ford LSRNS navigation units were produced faulty. These are the ones causing the problems described above. In specific models, the RAM memory fails and shorts, which drains your battery overnight. What’s more, the navigation becomes unusable and often simply stops switching on.

Here is a list of example navigation part numbers affected by the problem described:

8S7T-18K931-AB, 8S7T-18K931-AC, 8S7T-18K931-AD
8M5T-18K931-GB, 8M5T-18K931-GC, 8M5T-18K931-GD
8M5T-18K931-HB, 8M5T-18K931-HC, 8C1T-18K931-AA
8C1T-18K931-AB, 8C1T-18K931-AC, 8V4T-18K931-AD
8V4T-18K931-AE, 8V4T-18K931-AF, 8V4T-18K931-BA

How can the fault be removed effectively?

Ford used to run a replacement campaign for faulty navigation units, unfortunately it ended at the close of 2015 and from then on users have had to sort things out themselves.

So what now? Well… Your broken navigation is only fit… for repair!
We do not replace the whole unit – we effectively eliminate the problem by replacing the damaged components with brand new factory parts. We’ll explain how this kind of navigation repair works, but first we want to warn you against a popular method used by pseudo-experts.

Repair using a hairdryer 😈

Damaged components react to heat – that’s no secret. That is why a radio warmed up with a hairdryer starts to switch on. A rather controversial and completely ineffective method – the problem will return very quickly. Another battery drain is only a matter of days. It has to be said clearly – briefly heating damaged memory chips is no solution at all. There are also cases where a “service” offers so-called “burning in” of chips because it does not have the right spare parts. That absolutely does not work in the long run.
It is a pseudo-repair by people who can be described with one word – crooks.

How do you professionally repair a navigation fault? 💡

The only effective repair method is to replace the faulty components with brand-new factory parts.

What’s more – the chips must be genuine and in the automotive version, meaning designed for the specific conditions inside your car! If someone offers to repair this fault, ask how they plan to do it. The vast majority of people offering such services simply fit used parts or cheap Chinese copies. These are so-called repaints – a clever Chinese seller grinds off the markings on a used chip and then applies a new layer of lettering – the customer thinks they are buying a new original. In reality, it is a poor-quality counterfeit with a printed fake production date 🙂

It is also common to use RAM chips from old computers. Not only are they worn and old, but they are also not designed to work in sub-zero temperatures. Don’t let yourself be fooled!

The chip with date code 0836 is genuine, 1107 is a fake:

Why does the navigation drain the battery? 🙄

When the fault occurs, the radio connected to the power supply draws 0.2A continuously. That is enough for your battery to be flat the next day. A faulty radio connected “on the bench” behaves the same way. Typical current draw at 12V is shown below:

Faulty FX — Ford LSRNS – faulty draws 0.2A

How does it feel when you are in a rush to get to work in the morning and the car won’t budge?

Repair procedure at Komtel Serwis

The whole process is very straightforward and we carry it out efficiently – this means you get the repaired unit back in a very short time.

Here are the repair stages at Komtel Serwis:

assessment (we check the condition of the unit, confirm the memory fault, present the costs if they differ from those agreed during direct contact with us)
we carry out the repair – we replace the faulty components and update the unit’s software (if needed)
unit test – we check the operation of individual components and add the missing code card if necessary
we send the equipment back cash on delivery by courier. This way you will receive the repaired unit as quickly as possible (the original VAT invoice will be found under the waybill, and we will send a copy to your e-mail address)

We will not keep the unit waiting for your payment. We will send it as soon as we have made sure it has been repaired, works as it should and is properly protected.

Navigation test with instrument cluster and BCM

To fully test the equipment after repair, we connect it to our diagnostic setup. It may sound serious, but in fact it is simply a piece of car electronics that lets us simulate the navigation’s operation in the car. We check how it behaves when the key is turned (ignition logic operation), whether the backlighting works (it is switched on via the CAN bus), whether diagnostics work and whether there are any other worrying faults.

What if you do not know the PIN code for the navigation?

If you have lost or do not have the original code card for your unit, mention this when placing the repair order. The PIN code will be needed not only by us during testing, but also by you when it is reconnected in the car.

Including the radio code card is our standard process when repairing Ford LSRNS navigation units. You will find the credit-card-sized document attached to the top of the unit.

Your navigation will be working again

We know these units very well, and repairing them is routine for us. Komtel Serwis guarantees that the serviced unit will come back to you fully working and professionally repaired. We also take on units serviced by amateurs – we can restore full functionality to those as well. To arrange the details contact us.

By servicing with us you get: