Do I have a bad center console hub? How do I troubleshoot?

[bigbmonty]

(2015 C-Max Hybrid SEL)

I'm having an issue with the USB/SD/AV cluster in the center console compartment. Based on the troubleshooting I've done so far, I think that either: 

a) The port cluster went bad and needs to be replaced or

b) The connection/wiring between the cluster and the main radio is loose/bad, and needs to be fixed.

 

I'm not 100% sure where to go from here. I tried to get at the wiring to make sure everything is in place, but either I'm missing something or I would need to remove the whole center console covering to do so. I haven't been able to find anything online about how to do that. I also don't know how to rule out a bad port cluster. And if I get a new one, I haven't seen anything on how to replace it. So what do I do next? Do I have to suck it up and go to a dealership?

 

 

 

The Long Version

I bought this car last week. It appeared the car didn't have navigation, which is fine since the car checked a lot of other, more important boxes. But when I was looking over the paperwork later, it turned out that the vehicle is enabled for navigation. So I bought a navigation card, plugged it in, and got nothing. But I wasn't sure if it was an issue with the radio unit or with the card (since I hadn't seen either of them functioning, I couldn't tell which one was bad).

 

I did a fair amount of the usual troubleshooting for navigation SD card issues - reseat the card, master reset - but still wasn't getting anything (there was an error in the "Alerts" section of the info MFT screen, but it predates me owning the car). I then tried to load some mp3s onto a different SD card play music from the SD slot instead. Still nothing. Then I tried loading some MP3s onto a USB stick and playing music from that. When I select the USB option on the touchscreen, it just says "No device found" or something to that extent. Lastly, I tried plugging my phone into the USB ports and the phone wouldn't charge at all. 

 

This is all telling me that the SD slot and USB ports aren't properly connected to the MFT main unit, either due to faulty wiring or a bad port cluster box (sorry, don't know the technical term). Could there be something I'm missing, where it's not one of these things? Is there anything else I can do, or would I have to take it into a dealership to really try to get this working?

 

[homestead]

If the usb isn't charging your phone I would start troubleshooting at the fuse for the usb ports and see why it doesn't have power.

[bigbmonty]

Thanks for suggesting the fuses, I had completely overlooked those as a potential problem. I checked the passenger side fuse box and checked the 20A fuse for the "Cigar lighter/Second row power point". It didn't appear to be blown. (I also tried a 12V USB hub in the center console and a 120V USB hub in the 2nd row power outlet, both were powered and would charge the phone).

 

I didn't see any other good candidate fuses that would control that module.

 

Any ideas for next steps?

[Zathrus]

Are you referring to the center console between the two front seats?

 

If so, ask dealer if the safety recall 14S21 for the Restraint Control Module (RCM) applies to your vehicle/VIN #. If it does apply, and it was not performed on your car, they should do it for free.

 

This recall requires the removal of center console (between the front seats) to replace the RCM. While they have the center console removed ask them to verify the power connection to center console USB. 

 

I recall reading a post in this forum from someone who had the recall done, and had to go back to dealer because they forget to re-connect power to USB. 

Edited May 23, 2019 by Zathrus

[bigbmonty]

It looks like that recall was for models 2013-2014. I'm still looking to the matter, but it's looking like I won't be able to get the Ford free coverage.