Stranded with check brake system

[mark_anderson_us]

Hi all

flat towing my fx4 lariat for first time ( did a short test tow the other day). Stopped for gas after about 4 hours. Locked out of ranger and battery appears flat. Checked I am getting 12v from 7 pin. Attached my booster and got power afain but getting check brake system error. Called roadside a system ( what a joke: gave them vin and then there asking for make model etc)

stuck waiting for mechanic. Unable to start vehicle.
Any ideas about either issue?

do you guys remove key and lock door once in neutral tow?

thanks

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[P. A. Schilke]

Hi all

flat towing my fx4 lariat for first time ( did a short test tow the other day). Stopped for gas after about 4 hours. Locked out of ranger and battery appears flat. Checked I am getting 12v from 7 pin. Attached my booster and got power afain but getting check brake system error. Called roadside a system ( what a joke: gave them vin and then there asking for make model etc)

stuck waiting for mechanic. Unable to start vehicle.
Any ideas about either issue?

do you guys remove key and lock door once in neutral tow?

thanks

Hi Mark,

You need to read the owner's manual and follow the instructions on flat tow exactly...turn off the ignition.... Never had a problem with over 10,000 miles of towing my Ranger since 2019...

best,
Phil

 

[mark_anderson_us]

Thanks Phil. I watched the ford video and annoyingly it says nothing about what do with key fob.

 

[VegasRanger]

Have you tried disconnecting battery for a few minutes then reconnecting? My truck was completely dead once for no reason. I mean everything DEAD. I disconnected battery, reconnected and she came back to life

 

[airline tech]

This is a good time to ask this question, as others who have towed via Recreational Towing, and since Phil, you have done it. Can you clarify something for everyone on a discrepancy in the owner's manual. Now as for me personally I would probably never tow this way. But if you look at attached ref from the manual. Look at Step 2, Then Step 9, and Finally Step 10

I believe this is where some are generating the issues, mainly note in step 2 - Press Brake Pedal, and in Step 9, procedure requires brake pedal released to complete task, but previous steps never has you release brake. So, without actually duplicating in the truck to test my assumption are they actually leaving truck in ACCY mode thus draining battery. The only step that has you release brake pedal is step 10. The Final Step, the manual is missing something, and I believe this is what is causing the issues like above poster

Basically, should steps 9 and 10 be reversed? as step 9 brake pedal must be released, but in step 10 is directing you to assume that brake pedal is applied in step 9 procedure. (Somewhat Confusing)

Hopefully this will help others
Thanks

 

[airline tech]

REF: Check Brake System Message, the Message will only be displayed when you have an ABS or Park Brake System Fault
Note: The Message will be in addition to the (Red Indicator-Light) (AKA-Dummy Light) on IPC

It could be one of many DTC's that tripped it, so to dig deeper you will need actual code from Scanner or ForScan

But being that you had battery drain, I would try after battery it is fully charged back up

Setting and Releasing Park Brake - will reset parking brake switch (sensor) On/Off
Cycle Traction Control Switch - will cycle ABS Off/ON

These are the only quick fix items I can think of, but I wonder if the ABS wheel speed sensors tripped the message while rotating with the transmission in (N) communication error as they think the truck should be producing MPH. Basically, out of normal configuration and it tripped failure

Plus, also note: The Door Ajar message ties into the ABS as well, as communication network, so with low battery voltage, might have tripped the Check Brake Message, when you opened door.
Just something I noted in the Pinpoint Test for that message, it directs you to check operation of Door Ajar Message - I think it mainly ties into Hill Decent wants to know door open/closed

Just a Thought

 

[mark_anderson_us]

So it’s been outside dealer all night. They don’t open for 2 hours. Thought I’d try again gotni. And it started ok, but tons of errors (terrain management, abs, tried to movie back and forth a bit and it felled like there’s no power steering). Will have to see what dealer says in a few hours.

 

[airline tech]

Just curious, what did dealer find? on your issues

 

[mark_anderson_us]

Sorry I forgot to update you. Got to dealer and they reset everything and it all worked.

Seems I not turning off accessory mode drained the battery

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