2014 Sport Terrain Management System does not light up

[mj173]

I recently bought a 2014 Sport that only had 26,000 miles from a cousin that owns a used car dealership. After a few days I noticed that the Terrain Management System switch does not light up when you switch it from normal to mud, snow or sand. I took it back to my cousin to have a big after market brush guard removed that I did not like and I asked him to check it out. His response was that the LED inside was likely bad but it is a big project to replace it.

My questions is, shouldn't I feel something change in the driving mode if I switch it to something other then normal even if the light is burned out? I don't have an error message on the dash but eventually it's going to snow and I will want the 4WD part to be engaged. Also, noting lights up if I press the hill descent button.

Any thoughts?

 

[thefranchise713]

I'm willing to bet someone pulled out the dash at some point and left that unplugged by accident.

You should get a message in the instrument if it switches drive modes.

You will still have AWD abilities regardless of that switch working or not -- it just changes HOW that system will react, along with other vehicle dynamics systems.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome top the Forum mj173.
As the member above posted, any change made by the TMS should show in the information display. Setting it to 'Snow' mode does not engage AWD but as mentioned, it just changes the way the vehicle's different systems react to the selected condition. The best advice for overall performance is to use dedicated Winter tires as well.

Peter

 

[mj173]

I'm willing to bet someone pulled out the dash at some point and left that unplugged by accident.

You should get a message in the instrument if it switches drive modes.

You will still have AWD abilities regardless of that switch working or not -- it just changes HOW that system will react, along with other vehicle dynamics systems.

Thank you for the info. I am coming here after switching from a 2004 Expedition that I finally sold with 205,000 miles on it. I hope this board is as helpful as the Expedition one I was a part of.

Back to my question I guess I don't need to search for a solution unless I ever want the hill decent button to work which I don't think I will.

I am a little up set that switching to the snow button does not lock in the 4WD but I guess I would need to go back to an Expedition to get that option?

 

[peterk9]

Thank you for the info. I am coming here after switching from a 2004 Expedition that I finally sold with 205,000 miles on it. I hope this board is as helpful as the Expedition one I was a part of.

Back to my question I guess I don't need to search for a solution unless I ever want the hill decent button to work which I don't think I will.

I am a little up set that switching to the snow button does not lock in the 4WD but I guess I would need to go back to an Expedition to get that option?

I believe 'Sand' mode comes closest to locking in AWD but that isn't the mode you want in Winter. Sporty Driving in the Platinum

Peter

 

[thefranchise713]

Yes, unfortunately you cannot lock anything with this system. F150, Expedition territory there.

It's a very good system for the elements, especially paired with snow tires. Haven't gotten mine stuck yet. If you have an offroading ambition however, the system might leave you lacking.