A bit of a scare...

[nv rick]

Last night, I stopped for gas. After filling the tank, the engine seemed to 'stumble' and wouldn't accelerate.

I tried to turn off the engine, but it wouldn't turn off until the second try. I started it up again and this time, it started and normally.

I'm suspecting a computer 'glitch', but if anyone has any input regarding this, I'd appreciate it.

(Some of you may recognize me as a '14 MKZ-h owner, but the depth of knowledge here is why I posted.)

 

btw, I can't think of a worse time to have a car problem than on New Year's Eve when 60 miles from home and the temps in the mid 20's.

[GrySql]

Yes, I wouldn't like that either.

 

Did the Check Engine light or 'Wrench' light come on?

Have you done a VHR and checked for DTC's?

Did you put the car's left dash display into Engineering Test mode (ET) and looked for DTC's?

[DeeCee]

Had something similar to this a long time ago, shortly after I got the car. I was in a hurry and jumped in, started and put it in gear and backed up. When I tried to go forward the car would hardly move. Had an engine check light. Was new to the vehicle and did not run a VHR. I eventually shut it down, waited a few seconds and restarted and made sure the "ready to drive" was displayed on the left display and the car ran just fine. I suspect the first time I had put the car in gear and started moving before it was ready. I have always made sure since then that the "ready to drive" message is displayed and have never seen the problem again. I'm too chicken to try the hurry and go trick again to see if it really was the culprit but I believe it was. It probably caused some kind of software glitch.

[mwr]

I suspect the first time I had put the car in gear and started moving before it was ready. I have always made sure since then that the "ready to drive" message is displayed and have never seen the problem again. I'm too chicken to try the hurry and go trick again to see if it really was the culprit but I believe it was. It probably caused some kind of software glitch.

I routinely put the car in gear (D or R) immediatly after turning the key, then that fraction of a second later the car will start to move. I've never had a problem.

[nv rick]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll run a VHC and see what it says.

[GrySql]

You can also use the ET mode in the car. To activate, hold the steering wheel left 'ok' button down>start the car, keep holding the left 'ok' button until a new window opens in the left dash display> release the left 'ok' button. You are now in the Engineering Test mode and can scroll thru the different data by using the steering wheel's left up/down arrows. Scroll until you find the DTC info screen and see if there is any history recorded there. If there is, write down any Codes, or take a picture of the ET screen with your phone camera.

[hybridbear]

There's a pinned thread in the power train section with detailed analysis of the ET Mode screens.

[nv rick]

You can also use the ET mode in the car. To activate, hold the steering wheel left 'ok' button down>start the car, keep holding the left 'ok' button until a new window opens in the left dash display> release the left 'ok' button. You are now in the Engineering Test mode and can scroll thru the different data by using the steering wheel's left up/down arrows. Scroll until you find the DTC info screen and see if there is any history recorded there. If there is, write down any Codes, or take a picture of the ET screen with your phone camera.

Thanks, GrySql. Ran the test and no history showed up.

As a bonus, when starting in that mode, the horn blew twice, driving our idiot short legged dog bananas.

I'll pass this off as a one time anomaly.

Edited January 4, 2015 by nv rick

[ByebyeWrangler82]

I had a scare myself. Driving home from work after having just bought it 2 days prior, used with an extended warranty, I first got the basic ford sync would shutoff and the air would turn off too. Windows on passenger side wouldn't roll down but drivers side would. That was day 1...my iPod was Bluetooth connected. This 2nd (or was it 3rd) day I got right to the base exit (military) and it just shutoff...move over safely yet no power steering and brakes weren't really grabbing, displaying all the warnings and cautions. Me being brand new to hybrids I freaked! Especially when the tow truck operator said "well it's not going into neutral so I'm going to have to drag it on the bed" now knowing this is normal. FYI if this happens to you, leave the key in and DO NOT shift to park! Dealership took a look at it, ended up being a loose jumper from the hybrid battery which drained the regular car battery in the trunk.

Same day I get it out of the shop (Tuesday the 13th) iPod is still connected and same glitch happened with basic ford sync and environmental controls and windows. On and off for 10 miles. Then again going to work which is another 5 miles added in. After sorting it out i unpaired the iPod ran the master reset (which is so difficult to find if I didn't have YouTube) and luckily on my foggy drive home no issues! So now my iPhone 5S is paired and we'll see if it happens again.

[ByebyeWrangler82]

Just to verify the ET mode does NOT work when displays are all popping up constantly.

[murphy]

Just to verify the ET mode does NOT work when displays are all popping up constantly.

Yes it does. Just watch for the yellow letters ET and release the button when you see them.

[acdii]

I have found that if I double tapped the PS button the car will start but do crazy things and would need to be restarted, especially if the brake wasn't pressed in time. Happened a couple times when I was in a rush.

[mwr]

I have found that if I double tapped the PS button the car will start but do crazy things and would need to be restarted, especially if the brake wasn't pressed in time. Happened a couple times when I was in a rush.

What's a "PS button"?

[acdii]

Push to Start. OP stated his is an MKZh, which has push button start. I left the B off by accident.

[ByebyeWrangler82]

Well it might show the yellow ET letters but I couldn't view the info as soon as I pressed ok a billion times it never allowed me to enter ET screen. Now, my ford sync is acting up again. I have the base version where it's not the touch screen. My radio, climate control, front door locks, heated seats, and middle display lights flick on and off. This only happens when I'm using the heated seats, climate control, and radio all at once. It seems to only work in EV mode and shuts itself on and off with gas motor running. I did a master reset and didn't fix it for long.

[tr7driver]

Sounds like you can reproduce it. That will go a long way to helping the dealer get to the source and getting it fixed. I hope it all works out for you. Please keep us posted as this develops.

[ByebyeWrangler82]

Absolutely will do. Going on another drive about the same distance today.

[ByebyeWrangler82]

Folks we have a verdict! After 3 weeks in the shop or so Ford service department duplicated the gripe and found the issue. A bundle of wires on the center console, near the passenger side bulkhead were not making a good connection.

I was skeptical this wasn't the fix however a 131 mile excursion proved it to be so and achieving 41 mpg average.

It was a no charge repair since it had been in several times with the same problem and free oil change.

Now! Who knows a good set of HID or LED headlights to install

[securityguy]

www.xenondepot.com