"Neutral Tow Enabled" Constant Message

[TheyCallMe]

Hello all,

I’ve joined seeking help with my ’19 XLT Sport 4x4 that I had rebuild from a salvage tittle (front end collistion) this fall that has a reoccurring “Neutral Tow Enabled Leave transmission in Neutral” and an “AdvanceTrac Off” warnings.

Backstory:

The day I went to pick this up from my rebuilder he was trouble shooting a vibration in the front end. At some point he shifted it into 4wd. After the shift he was not able to get it to shift back to 2wd. (At this time the 4x4 selector knob stopped displaying tcase “selection”. Its just blank.

Back at his shop he found the drivers CV shaft was oddly loose, along with the transfer case end of the prop shaft was way loose. He removed the Tcase shift motor and manually shifted the tcase to confirm it wasn’t mechanical. After reinstalling the shift motor, he used a power probe to at the plug on the shift motor to shift the tcase back to 2wd. It was about this point that I showed up to pick up the truck because I had an appointment to get it inspected and told him I would do some digging on it.

The “Neutral Tow Enabled Leave transmission in Neutral” message will stay on from the time the door opens, through acc, while driving, till the dome light goes off after shutting the truck off and closing the door. I have found if I tap the brake with the key in acc, I will get a “4x4 Shift in progress” that flashes 3 times (I can hear the relay click each time) after which, the “Neutral Tow” message is gone. On or off, there isn’t any sort of CEL illuminated for it.

About 50% of the time I would get the “AdvanceTrack Off” message along with the “Neutral Tow”. This will go off on its own but the CEL for AdvanceTrack will illuminate.

I ordered a Vgate Vlinker FS and downloaded Forscan with plans to pull the codes, replace the parts and go on about my life. No..
While waiting the 4 days for the adaptor to be delivered I stopped by Oreillys and had them scan it.

The following codes were present:
P1820-00 “Tcase Clockwise Shift relay coil circuit failure”
P1874-00 “Tcase Hall Effect Sensor Power Circuit Failure”

Perhaps its my inexperience but I cant get these codes to pull up on forscan, and they only one’s it shows are for the fog lights being open circuit, and that I had the battery monitor unhooked (didn’t like start stop). I was worried that this adaptor wasn’t switching but it shows a lot of modules on the three different bus lines so I feel that its seeing them. Why am I seeing different codes than the parts store scanner and not theirs, and why are they not showing the fog light code?

Something I’ve found additionally weird is that on the module list, I see an ATCM which I feel could hold these faults. This module only shows up on the vehicle module list, and the DCT list. It is not available under any other tab, so I can’t do a module selftest.

What I have tried, not necessarily in this order:

Unhook battery for an hour, a few times. No change

Check fuse 66 under the BMS. (multimeter verified)

Checked for power between pins 1 and 3 at the shift motor plug with key on. (need to re-verify because I think I had my multimeter set to the 20v range and I think I’ve had problems with it reading weird if measuring single digits on that range. I’ll go out and reconfirm after I post this.) (looking just now, pin 3 is signal, pin 2 looks to be v+. “4wdDCT_PEWFS”

Confirmed the “Neutral Tow” is not enabled in the menu on the dash.

Disconnected and reconnected the tcase shift motor multiple times

Disconnected and reconnected the 4x4 shift selector multiple times

My questions are:

Why can’t I see the 1820 and 1874 codes on forscan?

Why would this have shifted into 4wd then gotten weird?

What would be the reason I don’t have power to this hall effect?

Why is this AdvanceTrack fault so random?

Any help would be greatly appricated.

Garrett

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[TheyCallMe]

I just got back in from the shop.

I just confirmed that I have 5v between pins 1 and 3 on the shift motor connector, with the key on.
An interesting note, when I plugged this back in, the "Neutral tow" message was replaced with a momentary "check 4x4" that I was able to "ok" away but was left with a wrench in the bottom of the screen. After much key cycling the "Neutral Tow" message stayed away. I connected forscan and low and behold "P1874" and a PCM to ATCM buss error. I didn't catch that code.
As soon as I cleared the DCT's the "Neutral Tow" message popped up.

I also took a peek into the PCM and used the Oscope to monitor the voltages of this 4wdDCT_PEWFS and that of the 4x4 shift dial. (please excuse me if this doesn't show up correctly, I've been away from forums for a while)
1761179473033-6e.webp
The top is for the tcase shift indicator. It stays at 1.85v. (I did not confirm it dropped to 0 when disconnected. Should probably do that.)
The second is the 4x4 shift select knob. It stays at 1.86v regardless of direction its turned. This isn't good.

I forgot to mention in my first post that the shift interlock isnt effective on this rig. I'm not sure if it was broken at some point after the wreck or if this was part of one of the TSB's (local ford dealer said this unit wasn't affected by those). I don't see this being part of the issue due the dash picking up the gear once the "Neutral Tow" is cleared by the brake tap.

Side note, I came across a setting in the pcm of "power PCM on door ajar". Would this be why my dct's don't come back right after I clear them? The PCM isnt resetting to trigger these?
Also on this note, shouldn't I be able to see the fault causing the CEL to be on with Key on, Engine Off even if its just low (no) oil pressure?

Thank you for stopping by, any help is apricated.

Garrett

 

[RangerBill]

Hello all,

I’ve joined seeking help with my ’19 XLT Sport 4x4 that I had rebuild from a salvage tittle (front end collistion) this fall that has a reoccurring “Neutral Tow Enabled Leave transmission in Neutral” and an “AdvanceTrac Off” warnings.

Backstory:

The day I went to pick this up from my rebuilder he was trouble shooting a vibration in the front end. At some point he shifted it into 4wd. After the shift he was not able to get it to shift back to 2wd. (At this time the 4x4 selector knob stopped displaying tcase “selection”. Its just blank.

Back at his shop he found the drivers CV shaft was oddly loose, along with the transfer case end of the prop shaft was way loose. He removed the Tcase shift motor and manually shifted the tcase to confirm it wasn’t mechanical. After reinstalling the shift motor, he used a power probe to at the plug on the shift motor to shift the tcase back to 2wd. It was about this point that I showed up to pick up the truck because I had an appointment to get it inspected and told him I would do some digging on it.

The “Neutral Tow Enabled Leave transmission in Neutral” message will stay on from the time the door opens, through acc, while driving, till the dome light goes off after shutting the truck off and closing the door. I have found if I tap the brake with the key in acc, I will get a “4x4 Shift in progress” that flashes 3 times (I can hear the relay click each time) after which, the “Neutral Tow” message is gone. On or off, there isn’t any sort of CEL illuminated for it.

About 50% of the time I would get the “AdvanceTrack Off” message along with the “Neutral Tow”. This will go off on its own but the CEL for AdvanceTrack will illuminate.

I ordered a Vgate Vlinker FS and downloaded Forscan with plans to pull the codes, replace the parts and go on about my life. No..
While waiting the 4 days for the adaptor to be delivered I stopped by Oreillys and had them scan it.

The following codes were present:
P1820-00 “Tcase Clockwise Shift relay coil circuit failure”
P1874-00 “Tcase Hall Effect Sensor Power Circuit Failure”

Perhaps its my inexperience but I cant get these codes to pull up on forscan, and they only one’s it shows are for the fog lights being open circuit, and that I had the battery monitor unhooked (didn’t like start stop). I was worried that this adaptor wasn’t switching but it shows a lot of modules on the three different bus lines so I feel that its seeing them. Why am I seeing different codes than the parts store scanner and not theirs, and why are they not showing the fog light code?

Something I’ve found additionally weird is that on the module list, I see an ATCM which I feel could hold these faults. This module only shows up on the vehicle module list, and the DCT list. It is not available under any other tab, so I can’t do a module selftest.

What I have tried, not necessarily in this order:

Unhook battery for an hour, a few times. No change

Check fuse 66 under the BMS. (multimeter verified)

Checked for power between pins 1 and 3 at the shift motor plug with key on. (need to re-verify because I think I had my multimeter set to the 20v range and I think I’ve had problems with it reading weird if measuring single digits on that range. I’ll go out and reconfirm after I post this.) (looking just now, pin 3 is signal, pin 2 looks to be v+. “4wdDCT_PEWFS”

Confirmed the “Neutral Tow” is not enabled in the menu on the dash.

Disconnected and reconnected the tcase shift motor multiple times

Disconnected and reconnected the 4x4 shift selector multiple times

My questions are:

Why can’t I see the 1820 and 1874 codes on forscan?

Why would this have shifted into 4wd then gotten weird?

What would be the reason I don’t have power to this hall effect?

Why is this AdvanceTrack fault so random?

Any help would be greatly appricated.

Garrett

For starters, if you don't have the correct OBDII adaptor for Forscan, you won't connect to all the modules in the truck. See this link for the recommended adaptors:
https://forscan.org/home.html


It sounds that your transfer case is in neutral and is not shifting, so that is probably why you get the Neutral Tow message. When you have someone shift from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive, do you hear the transfer case shift motor run?

 

[RangerBill]

Here is the wiring diagram for the transfer case. You should be getting 12 or higher to the transfer case motor when commanded to shift. Check fuse F66 in the battery junction box (BJB).

 

[TheyCallMe]

For starters, if you don't have the correct OBDII adaptor for Forscan, you won't connect to all the modules in the truck. See this link for the recommended adaptors:
https://forscan.org/home.html


It sounds that your transfer case is in neutral and is not shifting, so that is probably why you get the Neutral Tow message. When you have someone shift from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive, do you hear the transfer case shift motor run?

I may have cheeped out with the OBD adaptor. I read a review on the Vlinker that someone had used in in a '22 Ranger so I figured it was good.

Sorry , I completely failed to mention that the transfer case is staying in 2H at all times. I've been driving it basically every day for the last three weeks and if I don't tap the brake and let it "shift" I can drive around with the message up, the cluster gear indicator in neutral.
As far as checking if the motor is turning when the message is flashed and the relay is heard, I cant say. I would need to pull the unit out of the Tcase and watch it as its already on the ccw stop (2H) which it is trying to shift to. Perhaps one could hear it taking up slack in the gear train. Worth a check, but I have a feeling my issue is on the hall effect side of that unit.

G

 

[TheyCallMe]

Here is the wiring diagram for the transfer case. You should be getting 12 or higher to the transfer case motor when commanded to shift. Check fuse F66 in the battery junction box (BJB).

I checked 66 on the under side and it was good. (multimeter confirmed as mentioned)

I'm thinking my next move is to tap into the wire at pin12 to read voltage. I can compare that to what the Scope is showing me. less destructive would be to pull the shift motor and let it try to shift as i watched the oscope for change.

Do you have access to what voltages are expected at the 3 (4?) Tcase shift poistions?

G

 

[RangerBill]

I checked 66 on the under side and it was good. (multimeter confirmed as mentioned)

I'm thinking my next move is to tap into the wire at pin12 to read voltage. I can compare that to what the Scope is showing me. less destructive would be to pull the shift motor and let it try to shift as i watched the oscope for change.

Do you have access to what voltages are expected at the 3 (4?) Tcase shift poistions?

G

Here is the wiring to Vref and Sigrtn wiring from the PCM to the transfer case position feedback sensor. You could ring this wiring out to make sure of no open circuit or shorts to ground or to each other. I believe that it would be ground and 5 volts DC. I'll try and verify.

 

[RangerBill]

VREF voltage to SIGRTN is 5 volts DC nominal.

 

[RangerBill]

I checked 66 on the under side and it was good. (multimeter confirmed as mentioned)

I'm thinking my next move is to tap into the wire at pin12 to read voltage. I can compare that to what the Scope is showing me. less destructive would be to pull the shift motor and let it try to shift as i watched the oscope for change.

Do you have access to what voltages are expected at the 3 (4?) Tcase shift poistions?

G

My educated guess would be 0 volts, 2.5 volts, 5 volts DC in the 3 shift positions of the transfer case. I can't confirm though. But, you should see different voltages when the T-Case is shifted between 2WD, 4WD, and Neutral.

 

[RangerBill]

I just got back in from the shop.

I just confirmed that I have 5v between pins 1 and 3 on the shift motor connector, with the key on.
An interesting note, when I plugged this back in, the "Neutral tow" message was replaced with a momentary "check 4x4" that I was able to "ok" away but was left with a wrench in the bottom of the screen. After much key cycling the "Neutral Tow" message stayed away. I connected forscan and low and behold "P1874" and a PCM to ATCM buss error. I didn't catch that code.
As soon as I cleared the DCT's the "Neutral Tow" message popped up.

I also took a peek into the PCM and used the Oscope to monitor the voltages of this 4wdDCT_PEWFS and that of the 4x4 shift dial. (please excuse me if this doesn't show up correctly, I've been away from forums for a while)
1761179473033-6e.webp
The top is for the tcase shift indicator. It stays at 1.85v. (I did not confirm it dropped to 0 when disconnected. Should probably do that.)
The second is the 4x4 shift select knob. It stays at 1.86v regardless of direction its turned. This isn't good.

I forgot to mention in my first post that the shift interlock isnt effective on this rig. I'm not sure if it was broken at some point after the wreck or if this was part of one of the TSB's (local ford dealer said this unit wasn't affected by those). I don't see this being part of the issue due the dash picking up the gear once the "Neutral Tow" is cleared by the brake tap.

Side note, I came across a setting in the pcm of "power PCM on door ajar". Would this be why my dct's don't come back right after I clear them? The PCM isnt resetting to trigger these?
Also on this note, shouldn't I be able to see the fault causing the CEL to be on with Key on, Engine Off even if its just low (no) oil pressure?

Thank you for stopping by, any help is apricated.

Garrett

Here is the wiring diagram for the 4x4 Switch Module. You won't see a voltage change on the switch module output as it is communications (HS2 CANBUS), not switched voltage.

 

[airline tech]

Note: COPY & PASTE from one of my previous posts on this circuit for a general operation

For a reference on the circuit and general operation

Circuit is (HIGHLIGHTED) as engine start up and 4-WD switch has not been touched.

There is no real description of how the circuit works, so I will do my best to highlight operation.

Switch is powered from DC/DC convertor and powers other sources via Fuse #23
such as IPMA-CCM-BLIS-Rear Cam
This is not an actual position switch - it sends pulse inputs via (HS-CAN 2) data bus with
Vech Configuration Data
Modules that are on the HS-2 are:
ABS-ATCM (4WD Switch)-IPMA-OCSM-PSCM-RCM-SCCM & the GWM

The Gateway Module - Uses this data from the HS-2 and ties in (HS-1) data bus and the (HS-3) data bus.

So, when the truck is powered, it looks for (Switch Position) - data sent via HS-2 to the GWM
GWM reads this (config data) and sends it to the PCM (via HS-1) and the IPC (via HS-3)

If the PCM and the switch position - do not match - then a fault is generated.

So, this is where it can be numerous things for the cause.
1. Bad (Com) data from HS-2 or HS-1
2. 4WD - Switch Power (Issue) aka ATCM
3. VREF - Circuit issue at the (Transfer Case) Control Motor & not transmitting (signal) position feedback. (HS-1 to HS-2)
4. 4WD - Relay issue, sticking - which I believe is the root cause - as at start up and no switch movement, the feedback sense of the Transfer Case is looking for a Ground on BOTH the CW & CCW relays, confirming (motor) position (Locked)
If any of the 4WD relays stick- then the (2-Sided) ground (Locked) will not be seen by the (Transfer Case) Motor

Another main module in Control is the ABS module, this provides (Wheel Speed) inputs to the control (mainly for switching 4-HI to 4-Low, limitations. so, any communication data loss here could also affect the 4-Wheel drive circuit.

The AWD Service MSG - Comes from the HS-1 Can Bus and transmits it to the HS-3 Can bus to display on the IPC and the originator is the PCM - sending that message

Hope this brings a (somewhat understanding) of the circuit

Note: The BJB has 3 Relays
4WD Relay (Main) - Not Serviceable and - The 4WD relay is not even visible and is incorporated into the PCB board (they draw it like a regular relay) for wiring diagram understanding
2 Ea Relays CW & CCW Relays (Serviceable)
So, if the (Main) relay is bad - the whole BJB needs replaced.

For the member that had the truck shift into (4-Low) uncommand there was a short somewhere in this circuit that completely by-passed the (ABS-AWD) Lockout (safety feature) to prevent that from occurring (be it circuit short) internal of the BJB or relay stuck

Note: I am not sure (off-hand) without pulling the (T-Case) motor which direction CW or CCW moves the Motor from (2-Hi to 4-Hi)

My guess is - CW- Moves 2-HI - 4-HI - 4-Low
CCW - 4-Low - 4-Hi - 2-Hi
To coincide with the Switch (Movement)

So when you switch from 2-Hi to 4-High or 4-Low, it is a data transmission sent via HS-2 to HS-1 (PCM) the PCM sends a signal on the VREF (Feedback) signal wire (I request-Movement) and then the PCM applies to Ground to the CW Relay, when it reaches commanded position the Ground is removed thus locking both relays in (Both Grounded) AWD Locked position

Same operation for the CCW - Relay

End of Copy & Paste:

NOW: For your specific issue

First address the P1820 Code: CW Relay Coil (Circuit)
Possibly replace both CW & CCW Relays and then if need dive into the wiring.

The Neutral Tow is not covered in any manual to tell or show, what is exactly happening in that process and where exactly does it place the Transfer Case (Neutral) when there is not a set electrical position of neutral (in any wiring diagram)

I have not found (specific) information on confirmed (direction) of the CW & CCW relays, only assumed that it matches the (dial selection)

Noted: That YOU have Full CCW Position and are in 2-Hi, so that answers that (unknown) for me.

I think your issue is you are physically in 2-HI, but electrically the PCM is LOST and stuck in between shifts (picking up - thinking) it's in neutral, reason it's not receiving the CW Relay position (circuit ground) I think either the CW Relay or CCW Relay and or coil circuit is your issue.

So, a quick overview of the CW Relay, I think the PCM is looking for a completed circuit and its applying the ground but not getting the power circuit complete and it's stuck in (unknown position) hence the other code P1874 - Hall Effect Circuit Failure.

I would start with replacing the relays and also - Go through the process of placing it in (Neutral Tow) and Then Out.
If it is not in the Relays, then the issue is the Motor itself as if either relay is stuck in MID Position the motor circuit will have lost GROUND, switch at (Rest) both relays (Relaxed) and deenergized are holding ground = Both sides of the motor - (electrically the shift motor is not seeing the shift was complete as its not getting the relay ground - on both sides)

Hopefully it makes sense to you as to why I feel it's in the Relay circuit.

 

[TheyCallMe]

@RangerBill and @airline tech thank you both!!
I have reread both of your post(s) last night and a few times today. I have a pretty good understanding of the circuits now.

I am typing this in the truck as I have done some more diag.

I think the relay dct's were from either, a) me pulling the relays, or b) the cw relay not being OE.
I have swapped the cw relay with an OE. Same "Neutral tow"

I removed the cover off the shift motor and watched the outputs on the Oscope. When removed, the signal from the hall effect goes to ~2.5v. installed it is ~1.85.
Removing this cover took away the "neutral tow" message and the truck started endlessy cycling the CW relay AND, the shift select knob showed 2H, however the oscop showed its output as "error". if I spun the shift knob in the 4H direct, the Oscope would indicate "4H" for a moment then go back to error. (all while the cw shift relay is cycling).

During this constant shift I checked for voltage on pins that feed the motor on the inside of the cover and had 0v during the cycles. i checked both pins to ground, neither had power.
--pause as I check for continuity to ground through both pins, this will tell me that i'm connected to the relays--- neither of these pins have continuity to ground at any time...

I'll post this and start looking for something unplugged... i think we have found our issue.

 

[TheyCallMe]

@RangerBill and @airline tech can either of you give me the pinouts for the C2280H connector on the pdm so I can check continuity between the shift motor plug and pins 56 and 50?
This will tell me if I'm good to the plug, at least. (I think its C2280H, from what i have found)

Currently looking for this pinout but no luck yet.

Edit, I have lost all confidence in it being C2280H. 50/50 at this point.

 

[RangerBill]

@RangerBill and @airline tech can either of you give me the pinouts for the C2280H connector on the pdm so I can check continuity between the shift motor plug and pins 56 and 50?
This will tell me if I'm good to the plug, at least. (I think its C2280H, from what i have found)

Currently looking for this pinout but no luck yet.

Edit, I have lost all confidence in it being C2280H. 50/50 at this point.

 

[RangerBill]

@RangerBill and @airline tech can either of you give me the pinouts for the C2280H connector on the pdm so I can check continuity between the shift motor plug and pins 56 and 50?
This will tell me if I'm good to the plug, at least. (I think its C2280H, from what i have found)

Currently looking for this pinout but no luck yet.

Edit, I have lost all confidence in it being C2280H. 50/50 at this point.

Here is the Connector to the BCM that has the wires to the T-Case shift motor.

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