2005 Water Leak SJB
08-31-2018, 06:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19
2005 Water Leak SJB
Well it’s a three-day weekend and my 2005 Mustang convertible is having another electrical meltdown. Looks like it’s really going to be a LONG weekend without my car. This is the second time I’ve had to replace the SJB due to the infamous water leak. It all began last week - I couldn’t get the automatic shift out of park. So, thinking the brake light switch might be the culprit I checked the lights. No running light on the right, no left turn signals and no brake lights. It took my mechanic three days to “diagnose” it and sent me home with the car today. I now need to see an “electrical specialist.” The last time my SJB failed the windows wouldn’t close and it was the middle of winter. Can anyone please tell me if it’s possible to replace the SJB on my own? Also, if I let the “specialist” replace it, how many labor hours does this job take? What’s the reasonable cost? I love my mustang but I’m a single woman without any car repair experience. I’m at the mercy of the repair shop. The mechanic I brought it to - although I told him I thought it was the SJB - decided that changing all the lightbulbs that were out was the best first step. But it didn’t solve the problem or get the gear out of park. After I get it fixed again this time - I read that someone wrapped their SJB in a trash bag with electrical tape. Maybe that’s what I need to do. Also, does Ford still make this part? Or is it ok to get a refurbished - uncorroded one? Oh - a shout out to Ford: there should have been a recall on this!
Last edited by JudiC; 08-31-2018 at 08:20 PM. Reason: Spelling
09-01-2018, 03:46 PM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 193
Not more than half an to change out the sjb,.but your mechanic won't tell you that. If you go for a used box from the salvage yard,you should match to your part number and code. You have to have one from a convertible, that is one of the main differences. Then it is by option content of the car. You have to know what to avoid when you purchase a used box. You have to look where the connectors go, and if you see ANY trace of green corrosoin on the terminals walk away. Some salvage yards cut the box out by the wires you need to remove the connectors and look at the terminals. You can look in your area at WWW.Car-Part.com Put in the information for you car from the drop down menu, when you get to select part. Look for computer box NOT engine. Select Passengerside multifuncton box CONV. But before you do this you should find the source of the leak. Clogged cowl drains, window or door seal. And before you connect the new box you should spray the connectors with some wd-40
Last edited by artsvettes73; 09-01-2018 at 03:53 PM.
09-01-2018, 05:18 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19
Not more than half an to change out the sjb,.but your mechanic won't tell you that. If you go for a used box from the salvage yard,you should match to your part number and code. You have to have one from a convertible, that is one of the main differences. Then it is by option content of the car. You have to know what to avoid when you purchase a used box. You have to look where the connectors go, and if you see ANY trace of green corrosoin on the terminals walk away. Some salvage yards cut the box out by the wires you need to remove the connectors and look at the terminals. You can look in your area at WWW.Car-Part.com Put in the information for you car from the drop down menu, when you get to select part. Look for computer box NOT engine. Select Passengerside multifuncton box CONV. But before you do this you should find the source of the leak. Clogged cowl drains, window or door seal. And before you connect the new box you should spray the connectors with some wd-40
Thanks again for all your help! I found this part at the website you suggested: Multifunction, (passenger side, under dash), (Smart junction box), Conv.
This looks like the right part - but I do have anti-theft, remote door locks, etc. Does that make a difference?
Again,
thank you SO much for taking the time to reply and share your advice with me. It’s greatly appreciated!
Judy
09-01-2018, 05:58 PM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 193
Artsvettes73
Thanks again for all your help! I found this part at the website you suggested: Multifunction, (passenger side, under dash), (Smart junction box), Conv.
This looks like the right part - but I do have anti-theft, remote door locks, etc. Does that make a difference?
Again,
thank you SO much for taking the time to reply and share your advice with me. It’s greatly appreciated!
Judy
09-05-2018, 11:50 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19
Melted connector?
I heard from the repair shop. The SJB has corrosion on 4 or 5 pins but there’s a melted connector. The quote for replacing the SJB and fixing the melted connector and having it programmed is $1500. I guess the mechanic needs to do a lot of wiring work? The SJB I can get online for under $200. But what’s up with a melted connector? I thought you just needed to replace the SJB and you’d be all set to go? He wants an awful lot of money for a salvage SJB and repair. I could really use some advice. TIA!!!
09-05-2018, 06:21 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19
PS: the mechanic offered to buy the car because I told him I was thinking of selling it and getting a new car. Is the Kelly Blue Book the best place to get an idea of what it’s worth? I don’t know what to do - it’s a great car, a perfect little project for a guy who knows cars. It has all the bells & whistles and it’s a sharp car. It would break my heart to say goodbye to it but maybe it’s time? Winter is coming and it’s the only car I have. Any thoughts? I’m just so tired of the repairs. Maybe a new non-leaking Mustang???
09-05-2018, 11:28 PM
#8
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ft. Worth Tx
Posts: 601
My vote is to sell the car. I know its hard letting it go (especially if its paid off lol). get the most you can for it and use that as a down payment on something newer in your price range. you are right, these are fun cars but getting old and things are starting/already failing and needing replaced, good project/toy for a shadetree. your 05' has A LOT of stuff that should be replaced, not to mention its a convertible in the north east where winter salt can wreak havoc on the undercarriage. to your original post, the SJB is hot going in and it grounds the selected circuit to get things to work, which is why when water gets in, things go wonky in a hurry, probably the reason for the melted connector. if you could find a wiring diagram and correlate the wiring color you could focus on the shorted circuit and fix. it may be that the entire connector got wet and melted then shorted all at once. once all that is sorted out, you have to get it programmed for the PATS (passive anti-theft system) so it will actually start. good luck
09-06-2018, 12:09 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19
bl817 - thanks so much for your reply. You are a wise man! I think I’m going to sell it. It is paid off - and I can use the money as a down payment on a new car. It’ll be hard to say goodbye. Lots of great memories!!! But I know it has another life in it. Only has 63,000 miles - so if the mechanic buys it, he’ll be getting a great car. I’ll look at new Mustangs too - then I can stay in this group! ;-)
09-06-2018, 09:11 AM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 193
I say that is high for the repair, but that's me. And for the mechanic to come back and offer to buy the car. Tells me he has no problem taking advantage of you. Have you seen the burnt connector? How does he know for sure the sjb will need to be programmed. He's tossing out things to you that "Maybe need to be done" I do my own work and have for the past 58yrs. I don;t trust mechanics. And I can bet he won't offer you a good price for a low mileage car, that he will turn around and flip. Good Luck with your choice you make.