I just took delivery from MAS overseas and noticed when rotating the **** for 4A and 4H I get an error on the dash Drive mode not available. Followed by 4X4 malfunction and then the yellow service wrench appears. A vehicle restart clears the error. If I just rotate the **** for Normal Eco Slipper, etc, it sometimes works and takes. As soon as the vehicle tries to go to 4A or 4H it throws the error again. Vehicle can get into 4L successfully. Basically, vehicle stays in 2H and the Normal mode. No limp mode or anything else.

Truck has 60mi on it as it was driven to dealership to do a TSB update for trailer perimeter alarm. This is in Europe an that's the closest dealer I have. I may have to go back as it is under warranty still.

Anybody else seen this error or know a way to get more detail? Anyway to access the service menu from the dash or touchscreen? Or perhaps hook up some sort of diagnostic software? If it's just an error that needs to be cleared, I want to try myself first as it will be kind of an inconvenience to send the truck to Ford again.

 

If you want to PM me your VIN, I can see if your error code appears in OASIS. If your vehicle is registered with FordPass, it should show me what codes are thrown.

 

This is the error I found with code reader. Any guidance or help? This is a brand new vehicle.

 

Looks like the driver side front IWE is either unable to get into position, or is sometimes not reporting its position within the timeout. So it could be engaging 4WD, but due to communication delay or failure isn't telling the truck it was successful. Or something could be preventing it from engaging.




The rest of the shop guide basically says, remove the wheel/tire and look for debris that could be impeding IWE engagement. If none is present, replace the IWE.

So you can do the first step, if you have a hoist you may not even need to remove the wheel/tire, I am not sure. But beyond that it is Ford dealer territory unless you intend to pay for the IWE and replace it yourself.

Best case scenario, you ran over a plastic bag or something that wrapped around the IWE and is preventing proper activation. I saw someone post what a plastic bag did to their brake/axle and it was nasty. Properly dispose of your garbage, people!

 

I took a look from under and didn't see anything that may be blocking the way. The hoses are also all connected. I cleared the DTC and as soon as rotate the **** or press 4A or 4H, the error and gear wrench appear with the same DTC. What's weird is 4L engages properly and works and the truck moves. The earliest appointment the Ford dealer here that works with US spec cars I got was 20th Dec and I have to drop the car over 30 mi away. Not too happy, but at least the truck is drivable in the meantime.

 

Ford diagnosed the issue, pretty much what vulnox said (thanks a lot for helping me identify this independently). The 4x4 worked for the first time as intended, but started giving out again. I am able to sometimes get in 4A now, but drive modes are still gone. So it works when it wants to. Dealer is closing for a full week (gotta love socialist Europe) and part has getting ordered from the US with 2-4 week delivery time and I'll drive the truck back. Right now I have it "stuck" in 4A and Normal mode.

 

Well, hopefully they get the issue resolved. That sucks on a new vehicle.

You would think that this issue would have been detected prior to delivery.

 

Picked the truck up today. IWE had to be replaced. No cost as my warranty carries overseas. But too much inconvenience to drop the truck off and pick it up. Hopefully issue was from factory and doesn't come back.