Need help with a weird issue

[ClayBjj135]

Hey everyone! First time posting with a really weird question. I recently picked up my first Ranger after trading in my 2010 Taurus SHO. It's a 2020 Lariat with just over 36k on it. So far, I love it. It might be the best vehicle I've owned so far. But, I ran into a bit of an issue last night, and I'm not sure what the issue could be, and I was hoping for some help/direction before contacting Ford.
On my way home from a concert after driving for maybe 15 minutes, I had the red battery light appear on the dash. With that, I got a notification that said "shift into neutral to start the vehicle," and the engine shut off. I pulled off to the side on the road and put it in the park. I had other warnings on the dash as well like "terrain management system fault" and a few others. I turned the truck off and let it sit for a minute before trying again.
When I tried again, the truck attempted to turn on, but the engine did not start. The electronics turned on, with those same warnings on the dash (terrain management fault, etc). I waited a moment before trying again, and the truck finally turned back on. When it did, I had those same warnings still on the dash. I noticed the lights around the 4×4 dial did not light up, and I was unable to change the terrain modes. Unfortunately I'm not sure what else "wasn't working," there were quite a few errors that popped up on the dash. I believe one was regarding the Hill Descent Control.
I have noticed this issue before. Sometimes, when using remote start, the truck won't start, and upon getting in, it would have the same difficulties starting, warning lights, things not functioning, etc. Eventually, I can get it to start, and things will work normally. But, I have never had the truck cut out while driving. Any idea on what it could be? Thank you very much for any/all input. I appreciate it.

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[Radioman]

Hey everyone! First time posting with a really weird question. I recently picked up my first Ranger after trading in my 2010 Taurus SHO. It's a 2020 Lariat with just over 36k on it. So far, I love it. It might be the best vehicle I've owned so far. But, I ran into a bit of an issue last night, and I'm not sure what the issue could be, and I was hoping for some help/direction before contacting Ford.
On my way home from a concert after driving for maybe 15 minutes, I had the red battery light appear on the dash. With that, I got a notification that said "shift into neutral to start the vehicle," and the engine shut off. I pulled off to the side on the road and put it in the park. I had other warnings on the dash as well like "terrain management system fault" and a few others. I turned the truck off and let it sit for a minute before trying again.
When I tried again, the truck attempted to turn on, but the engine did not start. The electronics turned on, with those same warnings on the dash (terrain management fault, etc). I waited a moment before trying again, and the truck finally turned back on. When it did, I had those same warnings still on the dash. I noticed the lights around the 4×4 dial did not light up, and I was unable to change the terrain modes. Unfortunately I'm not sure what else "wasn't working," there were quite a few errors that popped up on the dash. I believe one was regarding the Hill Descent Control.
I have noticed this issue before. Sometimes, when using remote start, the truck won't start, and upon getting in, it would have the same difficulties starting, warning lights, things not functioning, etc. Eventually, I can get it to start, and things will work normally. But, I have never had the truck cut out while driving. Any idea on what it could be? Thank you very much for any/all input. I appreciate it.

Sorry you are having such issues with your Lariat. The first thing I would check is the condition of your battery (I too own a 2020 Lariat and had to replace the battery recently) and also check the battery connections to ensure they are clean and tight.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Could be the battery, a loose connector or a rodent problem. Have you looked under the hood for any noticeable wire damage?

 

[Cmar]

Yep check the battery, in these modern vehicles it doesn't have to be dead flat to cause issues just a few 1/10 of a volt too low. My wife's Santa Fe diesel throws error lights which eventually go away but come back every start (and the car will still start) about every four years, and a new battery has fixed it twice.

 

[rang19ca]

I agree with everyone above. It sounds like a weak battery.

 

[deleriumtremor]

I agree with everyone else that the battery would be the first place I looked. My wife owns a Highlander Hybrid which she drives very infrequently (2019 model we bought new and she has under 6000 miles on it).

One particularly long period between starts, she went to start it and the panel lit up like a Christmas tree and it wouldn't budge.

I recharged the basic battery (she now has a battery tender on it when not in use) and reset the codes that set the check engine light with my cheapo generic scan tool and it has started and run flawlessly for about 6 months. I probably will replace the battery before she takes it on anything out of town.

 

[airline tech]

Hey everyone! First time posting with a really weird question. I recently picked up my first Ranger after trading in my 2010 Taurus SHO. It's a 2020 Lariat with just over 36k on it. So far, I love it. It might be the best vehicle I've owned so far. But, I ran into a bit of an issue last night, and I'm not sure what the issue could be, and I was hoping for some help/direction before contacting Ford.
On my way home from a concert after driving for maybe 15 minutes, I had the red battery light appear on the dash. With that, I got a notification that said "shift into neutral to start the vehicle," and the engine shut off. I pulled off to the side on the road and put it in the park. I had other warnings on the dash as well like "terrain management system fault" and a few others. I turned the truck off and let it sit for a minute before trying again.
When I tried again, the truck attempted to turn on, but the engine did not start. The electronics turned on, with those same warnings on the dash (terrain management fault, etc). I waited a moment before trying again, and the truck finally turned back on. When it did, I had those same warnings still on the dash. I noticed the lights around the 4×4 dial did not light up, and I was unable to change the terrain modes. Unfortunately I'm not sure what else "wasn't working," there were quite a few errors that popped up on the dash. I believe one was regarding the Hill Descent Control.
I have noticed this issue before. Sometimes, when using remote start, the truck won't start, and upon getting in, it would have the same difficulties starting, warning lights, things not functioning, etc. Eventually, I can get it to start, and things will work normally. But, I have never had the truck cut out while driving. Any idea on what it could be? Thank you very much for any/all input. I appreciate it.

I am going against the grain here as far as the battery being the cause - At the Moment

I more detailed description is needed.

Let's start in order of your post,

Driving, the battery light was triggered due to the fact - Engine Died and Key is in Run Position
All the Terrain Management Messages and Associated - Due to the fact that the ABS wheel speed sensors were picking up MPH with engine off.
No-Light in the 4WD Dial - Most likely due to Terrain Mgmt Fault

Attempted to turn on but did not start (???), Did it crank over? or Click? or Nothing?

I believe the initial issue is your last paragraph.

Again - More details needed.

Remote Start and No Start, then get in the truck and manual start attempt.

What exactly does it do?
Crank and No Start?
Dead (Nothing), No Noise Clicks?

I have a hunch here that as a few owners have experienced with starting.

I am thinking the PCM Power relay is weak and dropping open or power to it is.
This relay is the most important relay on the truck as it powers up the PCM.
Followed up by the Run Start Relay

You should hook up scanner and check for codes, but it may be hard to pinpoint if any of them are the root cause as you will have codes that self-generated due to loss of power.
and to cover all bases, check the battery connections and also have it tested.
Right now, from the information I have, I do not think it's the battery, because you are eventually able to start it.

 

[Grandaccess]

put a battery Tender on it over night and take off the Neg lead so in the morning it retests everything from a full charge

 

[Jason B]

In the old days (may still be true now) when you turn the key to 'ON' the Battery light would come on, presumably to let you know you are running on battery power. Once the engine was started, the Battery light would go out, indicating you were running on alternator power.
So, have the battery checked as well as the alternator. Any big box parts store will do it for free.
And as others have stated, check your wiring.

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