TMS Fault - AWD OFF!!!
So you don't have to read the entire discussion again, I posted 4/6/2014 that I bought a 2012 Ford Explorer Limited that threw a TMS fault during my test drive. For me and may others this problem manifested as an inoperative "dark" TMS dial and TMS fault dash message and no other significant issues. It was difficult to discern if TMS itself actually worked while this condition was present. A "simple" ignition off/on would find the Explorer working the way it should. This happened twice more since owning the vehicle and until the last two weeks I wrote it off as a "glitch" and was not that concerned.
I recently scheduled an appointment for my
steering recall when twice, within three days my vehicle threw a TMS fault, the TMS dial went dark and the accelerator became inoperative! The vehicle started slowing down rapidly, In addition to the TMS fault, an additional message AWD OFF was displayed on the dash. Of course when your vehicle stops responding you start checking the rear views and surveying your surroundings outside the vehicle as well so hopefully I have accurately described the vehicle status. Upon pulling over I could also observe a wrench on the dash lights. Fortunately for me I could "reboot" the vehicle and resume normal driving. After the second incident I immediately called my dealership and added TMS Fault - AWD OFF to my service list.
Today I picked up my vehicle. They reprogrammed the PSCM (recall) and replaced the throttle body. Of course it is too early to tell if my vehicle is fixed but I initially surmised that these two issues were related, i.e. sometimes the throttle body is stuck just long enough to throw the TMS fault but resumes normal operation before an issue can be perceived. As the problematic throttle body worsens, it becomes stuck until the car is power cycled and start up routines are performed. Then maybe sometimes the condition worsens to the point where the throttle body is so defective that even a "reboot" of the car will not fix the issue (see Chaz1). As I read back over these forums I must also keep open the idea that the inoperable TMS dial is a general symptom of many problems (abs, power steering) that interact with the TMS and that even if my throttle body issue does not reoccur that I will still have some intermittent TMS faults that may be leading to some other problem.
While I will probably have to wait to know if either of my theories is correct I have returned from the dealership with some additional question that an experienced Ford owner or a Ford Rep may be able to address.
First, my Ex was at the dealership for two days. On the first day they called me and told me that they had not yet looked at the AWD issue but warned me that they didn't know if there would be a diagnostic code and that if they didn't find anything they would have to charge me even though my Ex was a CPO w/ an extended warranty because the warranty would not cover this. I told them my Ex had a wrench on the dash when the problem occurred and that they SHOULD know if that would result in a code they can use for diagnostics and that I would not pay for troubleshooting a real problem that they couldn't find. They wouldn't say conclusively whether or not there would be a code "in the system." and said they would talk to the techs and call me back. On their next call back to me they said the believed it to be the throttle body and that they would be able to repair it the next day. So what is my question from this long story? When the Ex throws a maintenance code that "disappears" with a power off/on does it not store the code somewhere? if not... you've GOT to be kidding me! Here is an excerpt from the invoice
throotle body, cc-42 c1, test drove for wrench light concern and lose of power, ids tested no codes, could not duplicate at this time, will retest, c2, retested and verified concern ids tested, cont code P2112, throttle plates stuck closed, removed and replaced..., cleared codes, reset keep alive memory, retested OK.
Am I to take from this that there were no codes when I took it in but they were able to reproduce and read the codes? Seems odd since there is apparently a "keep alive memory." Can anyone make sense of this?
Second, upon hearing that my throttle body was replaced I started recalling a discussion with my coworker who happens to be a Ford Fusion owner. He reminded about a certain
NHTSA investigation that was closed only after Ford decided to institute an extended warranty for the throttle body on certain makes and models made at certain time in certain factories. If I read the resolution correctly Ford updated the PCM to include a start-up cleaning cycle for the throttle body motor and implemented a TSB for a powertrain calibration that will lessen the "limp home" effects in the event of a ETB failure. Of course they have also extended the warranty for the ETB.
Where do I begin? Does it not seem likely that Ford has totally underplayed the scope of the issue given that Ex's in this forum are experiencing the issue and that the part number for the ETB (9E926) is same as the PN for the Fusion, Escape etc? Does not being a part of the recall... er, uh warranty, mean that my PCM wont be updated to include the cleaning cycle and that I won't get improved performance during the next inevitable throttle body failure? Anyone care to comment? Crystal?