MFT Reboots...may have found the reason

[Griswald]

Since my last dealer trip, I had nothing plugged into the USB or the OBD2 ports. I had no reboots.

 

I plugged my OBD2 monitor into the port and had a reboot within 5 minutes. The weather was cold and wet. This past weekend (weather dry and not as cold) I used the OBD2 monitor for 4 hours on a trip without any issues. This morning (again cold and wet) I had a reboot almost as soon as backing out of my driveway.

 

It looks like the weather and the adapter together are causing a problem. I have two adapters, one I used for 5 years in my 2003 Sport Trac and one I bought shortly after I got the FFH because the old one wasn't keeping up with the newer CAN bus speed. Both cause the same rebooting issue, so I don't think the adapter is at fault.

 

Oh well, I was going to buy the Ultra Gauge but now I'm worried that the OBD system in the FFH is suspect and I will just have to live with reboots.

 

If only Ford had put a trip MPG meter that worked with the key on/off, I wouldn't even need the OBD2 adapter.

[Easy Rider]

If only Ford had put a trip MPG meter that worked with the key on/off, I wouldn't even need the OBD2 adapter.

Could you explain the problem a bit more please.

I doubt that ANY car has a display that can be read when the car is really OFF.

[GrySql]

There is this SSM about diagnostic Scan Tools, mainly the type Ford uses but it could be something to keep in mind:

 

44582 Unexpected Scan Tool And/Or Vehicle Electronic Module Behavior During Diagnostics
During diagnostics some vehicles may exhibit unexpected vehicle electronic module or IDS / scan tool behavior. For example, on-demand self test failure, missing Parameter Identification Data (PIDs) selections in data logger, and/or other IDS / scan tool functional concerns. This may be caused by excessively high or low battery voltage. Verify that vehicle battery voltage is no higher than 14.75 volts and no lower than 12 volts during diagnostics when using IDS / scan tool.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06-JUNE-2014

[Griswald]

 

Could you explain the problem a bit more please.

I doubt that ANY car has a display that can be read when the car is really OFF.

 

What I want to see on my dashboard is the CURRENT trips fuel useage. Miles driven for that trip would be nice also. I don't want to push any buttons, I dont want to have to do mental calculations, I only want to see what the miles per gallon is since I turned on the key and started to move. It should reset back to 0 when I turn the key off and start all over again when I take another drive. I know the vehicle is doing that calculation, but until the key is turned off, the information is not available. When the key is turned off, that info appears in the left dashboard screen.

 

No, I don't want to have to remember to press the reset button on TRIP 1 or 2 every time I get in the car, No, I don't want to divide the miles I drove by the number of gallons that would be needed to fill up. No, the instantaneous does not give you this information.

 

Its simple, both Torque and Dash Command can do it (although they do require you to press reset but since I am already starting an app, its very simple), but Ultra Gauge does use key ON/OFF to reset.

 

I just simply get better fuel economy when I have a running tally, much better.

[Griswald]

 

There is this SSM about diagnostic Scan Tools, mainly the type Ford uses but it could be something to keep in mind:

 

44582 Unexpected Scan Tool And/Or Vehicle Electronic Module Behavior During Diagnostics

During diagnostics some vehicles may exhibit unexpected vehicle electronic module or IDS / scan tool behavior. For example, on-demand self test failure, missing Parameter Identification Data (PIDs) selections in data logger, and/or other IDS / scan tool functional concerns. This may be caused by excessively high or low battery voltage. Verify that vehicle battery voltage is no higher than 14.75 volts and no lower than 12 volts during diagnostics when using IDS / scan tool.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 06-JUNE-2014

I will need to see what the adapter is reading in volts next time it happens. When cold, this car seems to fully charge the HVB pretty quickly, maybe it is bleeding some off into the 12V battery???

[Texasota]

What I want to see on my dashboard is the CURRENT trips fuel useage. Miles driven for that trip would be nice also. I don't want to push any buttons, I dont want to have to do mental calculations, I only want to see what the miles per gallon is since I turned on the key and started to move.

I see what you mean now.

 

While on the Empower display, I push the reset button at the beginning of each trip which does not affect the Trip 1 or Trip 2 displays. That will then give you your current MPG but it does not give you the number of miles or gallons used and it does require that you remember to reset it. Note that on the 2015s nothing anywhere tells you the number of gallons used (at least not that I have found).

 

Its interesting to hear the different ideas that we would like to have on the displays. Many different ideas and wants. Also illustrates how challenging it would be for Ford to satisfy everyone. The only way to do that would be to make the displays infinitely configurable and that would introduce extreme complexity. Some would love it others would be completely befuddled and hate it.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Texasota

[acdii]

The Scangauge does that for MPG, and never had a reboot issue, when it was connected to the BD, but never used it in the current car so can't comment on if it causes a reboot. With what GS posted, check battery voltage when it happens and see if its within specs.