Sudden power loss requiring computer reset!
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 12:53 pm
Hi All,
At the end of December 2018 I had my MY 17 XLT serviced at ford and noted as part of that service they carried out the glow plug recall, heat shield recall and also reprogrammed the PCM. For over a year prior to this I have had zero issues with the vehicle and love it BUT since that service it randomly just loses all power to the point that I can't even spin a wheel and shift gravel on a dirt road, taking off with my foot flat to the floor! It just crawls...
There are no warning lights on the dash and the first time it happened I had to call out the RAA who were at a total loss to explain the issue but he did remove the negative battery terminal which reset the computer and all power was then back to normal. Every time this happens it's outside business hours so Ford are unavailable to assist but requested I bring it in for them to check only for them to find no error codes or indication of cause or the issue even occurring.
It did happen just before I got home one night so I did not call the RAA or "reset" the computer and just left it parked overnight so I could get Ford to check it while it was happening BUT in the morning everything was back to normal.
Having many years of IT experience my immediate thought when it first happened was that the PCM reprogramming (I assume firmware update) is the most likely cause but they say that's impossible. Probably because they have no idea and can only follow a script!
I am now carrying a spanner in the glove box to allow me to "reset" the computer and get myself going BUT it's getting bloody dangerous now as it happened at the base of accommodation hill on Sunday with a B-Double hard up my arse, putting his foot down hard so he could get up the hill, and the Ranger starts dropping down gears, trying to go backwards while he's stripping rubber off his tyres trying to avoid climbing into my tub! During this I'm trying to get off the road and the Minister for War sitting next to me is white with fear
She's now vowed never to go on an open road trip in it again until it's fixed...
I have spoken to Ford again this morning and they are going to provide a loan Ranger
next Monday and Tuesday so they can again check the vehicle so they are at least trying to help.
Has anyone here ever experienced this sudden loss of power AND had it fixed? I see other posts about power loss but none seem to be as severe as the issue I have.
Cheers,
DK
At the end of December 2018 I had my MY 17 XLT serviced at ford and noted as part of that service they carried out the glow plug recall, heat shield recall and also reprogrammed the PCM. For over a year prior to this I have had zero issues with the vehicle and love it BUT since that service it randomly just loses all power to the point that I can't even spin a wheel and shift gravel on a dirt road, taking off with my foot flat to the floor! It just crawls...
There are no warning lights on the dash and the first time it happened I had to call out the RAA who were at a total loss to explain the issue but he did remove the negative battery terminal which reset the computer and all power was then back to normal. Every time this happens it's outside business hours so Ford are unavailable to assist but requested I bring it in for them to check only for them to find no error codes or indication of cause or the issue even occurring.
It did happen just before I got home one night so I did not call the RAA or "reset" the computer and just left it parked overnight so I could get Ford to check it while it was happening BUT in the morning everything was back to normal.
Having many years of IT experience my immediate thought when it first happened was that the PCM reprogramming (I assume firmware update) is the most likely cause but they say that's impossible. Probably because they have no idea and can only follow a script!
I am now carrying a spanner in the glove box to allow me to "reset" the computer and get myself going BUT it's getting bloody dangerous now as it happened at the base of accommodation hill on Sunday with a B-Double hard up my arse, putting his foot down hard so he could get up the hill, and the Ranger starts dropping down gears, trying to go backwards while he's stripping rubber off his tyres trying to avoid climbing into my tub! During this I'm trying to get off the road and the Minister for War sitting next to me is white with fear
She's now vowed never to go on an open road trip in it again until it's fixed...I have spoken to Ford again this morning and they are going to provide a loan Ranger
next Monday and Tuesday so they can again check the vehicle so they are at least trying to help.Has anyone here ever experienced this sudden loss of power AND had it fixed? I see other posts about power loss but none seem to be as severe as the issue I have.
Cheers,
DK
