-10 threw truck into test mode??

[blackout881]

OK so i have owned my '04 4.0 for about 7 years now. We've had our ups and downs but everything over 100k has been great (currently at 125k new trans at 88k). Its not my daily driver anymore, I only use it in the winter time and to tow a boat in the summer.

Anyways, the other morning it was a fridgid -10 (-30 with wind chill!) and i went out to start the truck, it slowly turned over and started up with a bunch of squeezing and whining that soon went away. I look on my computer and it doesn't even have the mileage, it just says TEST. In 7 years I've never seen this! I let the truck warm up for about 20 minutes and then went back out and TEST was still on the screen. I hit the reset button and it started bringing me through what seemed to be a full diagnostic of the truck, serial numbers, coolant temp, etc. So i guess my question is, it was just the extreme cold that threw my truck into a test mode that i didn't even know existed?? I assume ford techs use this when you bring the truck in. And how do you properly put the truck in this mode?? There were some useful things on there I wouldn't mind checking myself!

Thanks, that just surprised me. Hasn't happened since, that was a few days ago.

 

[joeyd0730]

my 04 mountaineer made some strange noises the other day after startup, I am also in ny, queens

Here's how to run the message center TEST:

(Techs are referred to the "Workshop Manual" for additional info and procedures for the various DTC codes.)

Statrt with key off.
Engage the Instrument Cluster Self-Diagnostic Test Mode by pressing and holding the appropriate buttons for 4 seconds:

2002-2006 - Base Cluster - Trip Odo Reset button
2002-2005 - Message Center Cluster - SETUP and RESET Message Center buttons
2006 - Message Center Cluster - RESET (only) Message Center button

With the vehicle in park, turn the key to the run position key on/engine off (KOEO).

Release the button(s):

2002-2005 - Base Clusters will display "tESt"
2002-2005 - Message Center Clusters will display "TEST"
2006 - Clusters will indicate "ENGINEERING TEST MODE"
NOTE: IF "ENGINEERING TEST MODE" IS NOT DISPLAYED, DEPRESS THE ODO RESET OR MESSAGE CENTER RESET BUTTON 1 OR MORE TIMES UNTIL THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED.

Press the RESET button once for each next step of the TEST.

First, the gauges will sweep, next the LEDs will light up, next are about 30 lines of live info. Continue pressing RESET for each next step.

 

[pet575]

I've had this happen to me a few times. Each time, it was related to low battery power or a poor battery connection due to corrosion. Coulda just been the extreme cold robbed your battery of some cold cranking amps. I'd check the water levels and get it tested at a local auto parts store just to be sure.

 

[Exproblems]

OK so i have owned my '04 4.0 for about 7 years now. We've had our ups and downs but everything over 100k has been great (currently at 125k new trans at 88k). Its not my daily driver anymore, I only use it in the winter time and to tow a boat in the summer.

Anyways, the other morning it was a fridgid -10 (-30 with wind chill!) and i went out to start the truck, it slowly turned over and started up with a bunch of squeezing and whining that soon went away. I look on my computer and it doesn't even have the mileage, it just says TEST. In 7 years I've never seen this! I let the truck warm up for about 20 minutes and then went back out and TEST was still on the screen. I hit the reset button and it started bringing me through what seemed to be a full diagnostic of the truck, serial numbers, coolant temp, etc. So i guess my question is, it was just the extreme cold that threw my truck into a test mode that i didn't even know existed?? I assume ford techs use this when you bring the truck in. And how do you properly put the truck in this mode?? There were some useful things on there I wouldn't mind checking myself!

Thanks, that just surprised me. Hasn't happened since, that was a few days ago.

Blackout,

I just had this happen to me back in January on a cold start up one morning where I saw the "Test" message on the read out screen. When I tapped the reset button, it took me thru a whole read out screen of various diagnostics just like yours did. I took my Explorer up to a Advance Auto Parts store near me and they tested my Battery and Alternator. My Battery, which was a 850 CCA rated battery and only 4 years old, was only putting out around 426 CCA's. My battery was low on power. The test message appears due to low power in your battery. I tried charging my battery up with a battery charger prior to going to the parts store, but the battery wouldn't "take or hold" the charge. The parts store tested my battery while the vehicle was running and under a load (multiple electrical components turned on) and it read "low on charge". I then bought a new battery and no problems or "Test message" seen since. I would get your Battery and Alternator tested first and go from there. My Alternator checked out fine, just the battery went bad on it's own.

 

[guy48065]

Mine started up with TEST mode this morning and it was (surprise!) -10°F outside. I'm not really doubting that low voltage initiates it--but I have a parasitic loss problem so my truck is ALWAYS low on volts. If I let it sit for more than 4 days it won't even turn over. Battery new in December. With all these low-voltage times I shoulda seen the TEST before.
I drove the truck last night so this morning it had plenty of juice to crank. Maybe TEST activates in a particular RANGE of low voltage, and I'm usually pretty close to full...or nearly dead :-/

Anyways it's cool to "discover" this feature.

 

[ccm2001]

Can I activate this mode in my 03 sport I have the Temp/compass screen beside my sunroof?

 

[blackout881]

hasn't done it since. Battery is about 2 years old, alternator I just replaced myself about a year ago. Im blaming the -10. Should I be using the plug in the front of my truck when it is this cold? I have a canadian made explorer with the block warmer (or is it not a block warmer? Does it heat the coolant or oil?) anyways, when I plug it in it makes a low humming noise and I am afraid something will blow up into flames overnight since its never been used really lol. Anyways, the old beast made it through another winter with her rear brake caliper seizing up a week ago randomly. She's been sitting a couple weeks, leaky axle seal (this will be the 3rd time replacing). Hopefully I can get a couple more winters out of her!