"Drive Control Malfunction" code on screen!

[Deadman]

So the last few days have been very cold here and I'm getting a "Drive Control Malfunction" message on the screen by speedometer. It says it "requires service." It drives fine, but I can not change drive modes, so its stuck in Normal which is fine by me. Have any of you seen this message? How has it affecting things?

It was -22F the other morning and it sits in my heated garage. Its fine when its in garage, but after I park it at work outside, then it throws that message. I'm thinking it's something to do with the extreme cold, but who knows. Its going in Wednesday to check it because I take it out of state next week and don't want $hit to hit the fan on my trip.

Anyone have this? Thanks in Advance.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

I remember temps like that...in NE Ohio. The main reason I moved to Arizona. That and the fact that I can pretty much keep a vehicle nine years and still have it looking great

 

[wakeboarder]

I have received the message a couple of times. Once was right after programming with Forscan. The other time seemed random.

 

[Deadman]

Dealers picking it up Wednesday...... See what they say I guess!

 

[5280tunage]

As in towing it or do you get that kind of service?

 

[Deadman]

As in towing it or do you get that kind of service?

My salesman lives real close to me so he drives it to work and has the repairs done..... Works great.

 

[NyackRob79]

In my case this translated to a bad shock. I have a 2018 Expy MAX Platinum 4x4. Dealer replaced the shock under warranty.

 

[5280tunage]

My salesman lives real close to me so he drives it to work and has the repairs done..... Works great.

So awesome! The closest decent dealer for me is about 30 minutes away, so usually it's about 1.5 hrs out of my time to drop it off, and about an hour to pick it up. With the frequency of service visits, it's a lot of time. It's there again. Also, right now I have a 2021 F150 as a loaner. I have to be honest, it might grow on folks but the new interior actually looks a heck of a lot like a mix between Ford and a Wrangler. Not sure I really like it, although this is only an STX trim so I'm sure the nicer ones are better.

 

[5280tunage]

In my case this translated to a bad shock. I have a 2018 Expy MAX Platinum 4x4. Dealer replaced the shock under warranty.

That's a really interesting outcome. There are many folks on here that have failed shocks for a long time until they find leaks. So I'm curious how and why it might trigger this notice for shocks.

 

[caplanm]

The active suspension is tied to drive control. I can only assume the failure of one of the active suspension shocks set the code. Not sure which modes changes how the active suspension reacts, other than in Sport mode, which causes a stiffer ride.

 

[5280tunage]

Very cool, at least when mine fail, maybe I'll know about it

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

I had the same message come up the other day. The dash also looked like a pinball machine with flashing lights. It turned out to be caused by a bad battery with an "intermittent bad cell".

 

[5280tunage]

I had the same message come up the other day. The dash also looked like a pinball machine with flashing lights. It turned out to be caused by a bad battery with an "intermittent bad cell".

Love that - "pinball machine".

 

[Deadman]

Bad strut actually sounds believable. Th crazy thing tho is it ONLY does it when its below 0 F. Once it warms up, it NEVER throws the code. When it was 2 weeks old it also did this exact same thing on a bitter cold morning!

 

[Deadman]

They found a wiring issue on the front left strut. They greased the connector.

 

[Deadman]

Salesman drove it home to me and the message came back on of course.....
They're calling ford tomorrow to see how to proceed. Either an electronic module or a new strut.....

 

[5280tunage]

Salesman drove it home to me and the message came back on of course.....
They're calling ford tomorrow to see how to proceed. Either an electronic module or a new strut.....

DOH! at least they can't argue they can't reproduce the issue then. Begs the question then, did the tech that "fixed" it even road test?

 

[Deadman]

DOH! at least they can't argue they can't reproduce the issue then. Begs the question then, did the tech that "fixed" it even road test?

Yep, it was road tested and the salesman that ran it home didn't fire it up until 6pm to drive home and the service guys were long gone for the day.... I have the warranty slip saying it was road tested. It only acts up when the temp is below zero. They serviced it during the day and it was a little warmer and it doesn't throw the code in the warmer temps. its weird.

 

[5280tunage]

Interesting. So most materials shrink when they get super cold, wonder if there isn't enough contact between two points to remain in contact in your recent temps.

We used to have similar issues when using taps while installing alarms and stereos, super cold temps here would cause sensors to trigger as an open circuit. Our only option was to solder the connection.

Glad they tested it, lately I've experienced issues where they don't.

 

[wakeboarder]

Just another thought. We occasionally have to do cold test at work for new products. Occasionally some electronic components won’t turn on due to chip or capacitor performance in the cold. Maybe they could check the CANbus during the cold and ensure all the modules are still talking.