Error Message "TEST" on Digital Display?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Error Message "TEST" on Digital Display?
Hello,
Recently, when I start up my 2004 F150, the word "TEST" appears in the digital display which usually shows mileage, temperature, etc. If I turn the engine off and restart, sometimes the "TEST" appears again, sometimes none of the gauges turn on and nothing appears in the digital display, like the battery is dead. If I drive my truck around for awhile starting/stopping, (and remember to look again), usually the digital display reappears with the correct info.; mileage, temperature, etc.
It seems to do this only on the first startup, but there have been times when I'm running errands, and will turn the key over and the "TEST" displays again. I looked in my Ford manual but saw nothing about the word "TEST".
Has anyone seen this error code/know what it means? I hate to take it in for service if it something I can take care of myself & save some $$$.
Thanks in advance for any help/information you can provide.
Recently, when I start up my 2004 F150, the word "TEST" appears in the digital display which usually shows mileage, temperature, etc. If I turn the engine off and restart, sometimes the "TEST" appears again, sometimes none of the gauges turn on and nothing appears in the digital display, like the battery is dead. If I drive my truck around for awhile starting/stopping, (and remember to look again), usually the digital display reappears with the correct info.; mileage, temperature, etc.
It seems to do this only on the first startup, but there have been times when I'm running errands, and will turn the key over and the "TEST" displays again. I looked in my Ford manual but saw nothing about the word "TEST".
Has anyone seen this error code/know what it means? I hate to take it in for service if it something I can take care of myself & save some $$$.
Thanks in advance for any help/information you can provide.
Have you ever had the pcm flashed to the newest software? I have an 04 and when I took it in to get the abs module swapped, they flashed my pcm and said my software needed to be updated.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 13,490
Likes: 553
From: North Charleston, SC
Well, I do know this: If you hold the stick on the cluster down then turn the truck on, eventually the digital part will read "TEST". It will not go away until the stick is released either. It does it on my 03, but I know for certain the same thing applies for 11th gens. Now... a guy had a similar issue where he would see TEST every time on his cluster when he cranked it up. Turns out, the stick was stuck. Just something I thought I'd throw in...
Well, I do know this: If you hold the stick on the cluster down then turn the truck on, eventually the digital part will read "TEST". It will not go away until the stick is released either. It does it on my 03, but I know for certain the same thing applies for 11th gens. Now... a guy had a similar issue where he would see TEST every time on his cluster when he cranked it up. Turns out, the stick was stuck. Just something I thought I'd throw in...
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 13,490
Likes: 553
From: North Charleston, SC
By the way, what the message means is tht you are entering "DTM". (Dealer test mode) Its basically like an on board diagnostics. Even tells speed in Mph/Kpm digitally, and same goes for the tach. Interesting little tidbit...