MFT-Screen dies, I hit the dash, and it comes back on????

[exploreTN]

I have a 2013 Explorer XLT. I have owned it for about a month now. About 4 days after driving it off the lot the control panel for the climate control system died and left me and my family without heat. The dealer replaced the panel and I has worked well for about 2 weeks, but now....

Yesterday I noticed that when I was listening to my ipod through the USB there was a weird buzz in the speakers. The buzz went away while listening to the radio. I also noticed that the buzz sometimes would go away if I hit a bump in the road, then later reappear.

Last night the screen went black, displayed a message that it was shutting down to save battery power, then turned off. I was frustrated at this point so I did what frustrated people do and hit console on the side just under the glove compartment. The screen came back and everything started working perfectly. After stopping and starting the car the screen did it again, and again I hit the console (not hard) and again it came back on.

I am thinking that maybe the dealer knocked something loose when they were installing the new climate control panel. Any thoughts???

PS: If it wasn't so frustrating, I would feel kinda cool; like the Fonz hitting the jukebox or something.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum exploreTN.:wavey:
I have had the battery saver screen warning come on several times because I don't drive enough to keep the battery fully charged. But, I have never had it come on while driving, only when turning the ignition off. I suggest that you go back to the dealer to have them check it out. It sounds like there is more than a possible battery issue here. If you want to read up on the battery saver issue see; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397375&highlight=battery+saver
Also when the MFT screen goes blank with nothing else appearing on it, it could be a sign that the APIM is failing. The APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) is the 'brains of the MFT system and has a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty.

Peter

 

[broken strut]

There's something loose. Bring it back.

 

[dco43054]

Warranty coverage doesn't include external damage to the units. Take it back and have it fixed before you end up paying for the repair yourself.

 

[exploreTN]

I have and appointment with the dealer today. I will post an update with the result...

 

[exploreTN]

So the dealer told me that my battery failed their test. They also said that they found a connector under the console that was covered in something sticky, likely spilled Coke from the previous owner. They charged me to clean the connector and replace the battery and said that the problem had been fixed. Before I could make it out of the dealer parking lot the screen died again. They are still looking for the problem...

 

[exploreTN]

So the dealer had no clue what is causing the problem. They have had it for 2 days now and are no closer to figuring it out.

For those interested, there are new symptoms. I noticed after the car is shutdown and the door is opened and closed turning off the computer, the speakers are still active. there is a very faint static noise that cycles on and off about once every 15 seconds or so. Each time the speaker noise cycles, the needle on the speedometer jitters around then the cycle repeats itself. During each of these cycles there is also a clicking noise coming from the passengers dash area that sounds a lot like a solenoid engaging and disengaging. All this just keeps cycling over and over while the car sits.

The local dealer has sent the data that they collected to the Ford headquarters in Detroit in hopes that they will have see this issue before and know how to fix it. In the mean time if anyone has seen or been through a similar issue please let me know.

Thanks