What does this mean.. ETC failure mode ??

thank you Frankie for all your input.. the engine is running fine, no misfire at all... when this happens, its out of the blue , no warning what so ever.. thats what scares me the most ! So in your opinion, should i put the flightbox on my car or just take this information I currenty have, an try another dealer ? Happy New Year ~
 
It's clear these people don't want to, or don't know how to, help you.

Even if the problem is in the PCM, it must have given them some information, if they even tested it at all! That one we had that needed to be replaced still gave us P0606, "ETC internal communication failure" and P2104, "forced idle strategy". That didn't pinpoint the problem, but it told us what data to concentrate on when we hooked up the flight recorder.

If they don't have an idea of what to look for, capturing data with the flight recorder won't do you or them any good.

Try a more co-operative dealer!!

...and thanks a lot! Happy new yera to you too.
 
I have a 2001 Volvo S60 (Ford) and there was a huge problem with the ETC and MAFs in the first couple years. Volvo had to extend the warranty/service on these parts. Not sure if there is any similarities in parts but the symptoms when they started to fail or the MAF system needed cleaning is very similar to what you're experiencing....and yes, the dealer experience in terms of diagnosing or replicating it was not that good either. They should clean your MAF system and replace the ETC.
 
Hey Frankie.. Well you'll never guess what happend to me today.. my ETC FAILURE MODE came on again ! So i took your advice and called another dealer to see what i shoud do.. he told me that the best thing is to bring it in while its still in the ETC mode, so they could check for codes.. Now he also told me that if i turn the car off the computer will erase the data, with that being said , its very hard to determine what really is happening.. I would do that, bring it to them while its in the ect mode, but i happen to live about 20 miles from the dealership.. My question to you is, will the codes really erase if i turn the car off or will it remember it for a short period of time ?? Damn.. talk about being frustraded.. thanks in advance for your advice ! Have a nice day
 
If the PCM has gone into failsafe, there will still be codes and data held, sometimes as long as a month! If they can't find anything conclusive, I still believe replacing the electronic throttle body would be well worth trying.

You've still got warranty; Ford will pay the dealership for the repair as an attempt to resolve a difficult intermittant issue.

As a Lincoln owner, you're entitled to satisfaction. Blowing you off because "It's not doing it now..." is unacceptable.

Even this dealership wants you to bring it in "while it's still in ETC mode". HOW??? In ETC Fail, the car is locked at idle speed. It's barely driveable!

It sounds to me like you're having major problems finding a dealership that will even make an ATTEMPT to resolve your problem. Before your warranty runs out, call:

Ford Motor Company Consumer Relations
1-800-392-3673 (1-800-392-FORD)
Have the names and addresses of the dealers you've seen, the dates of the visits you made, and, most importantly, the work order numbers of any work orders relating to this problem, even if they say "no fault found" or "unable to duplicate".

You do have work orders, don't you? The dealers didn't just blow you off at the door or over the phone without even trying to figure it out, did they?
If so, go to a dealer and demand that a work order be written and the car be brought into the shop.

Ford won't be able to assist you if you have no proof you were ever even near a dealership with this problem.
 
Frankie.. Yes !! I did keep all of my invoices (work orders) that was giving to me, I also have a Summary history of everything that has been done on my car.. I have a appointment with the new dealer on Tuesday, So guess my best bet is to see if they can reslove this issue.. if not Then I"ll contact the number you have listed .. Yes, I am having major problems finding someone who can pinpoint this problem and correct it.. I happen to love my car but it truly makes me think twice if i ever wanted to buy from ford again.. My family has been buying fords for many , many years.. Also, I'm still under my 50,000 .. currently i have 47,620 (mileage) I'll write again as soon as i have any news, good or bad relating to this, asap.. thanks again !! have a great day.. p.s.. I'd wish you worked in the sunshine state (Florida) lest i know,, you know what the hell your talking about and could fix this :)
 
Hey man....here what you do if you have brought it to the dealer several times and they cant fix it tell them to give you a documented letter stating the problem you describe and they cant fix it and have the service manager sign it. Tell them you want the paper to say that you will not be responsible for future damage after the warranty expires if they cant find out what is wrong. I did this with my car and as soon as i made that request they took my car in and put a new motor in(i had a ticking noise that they claimed they could not hear)
 
Frankie... Well I'm pissed at this point, I took my car to another location (dealer) and I'm getting the same song and dance, well the tech test drove it and can't seem to find the problem.. in other words seeing its not happening now, we cant fix it.. so guess I'll take your advice and call ford relations and see what they can do for me !!
 
Hi, Asia!
I see you're posting questions about regular maintenance in the forum this morning. This seems to mean you're no longer planning on pushing your car off a cliff!

Did you get anywhere?

Please tell me you at least found someone willing to try TSB # 05-14-04, a known fix for your problem, which I mentioned in post #15.
 
Hi Frankie,
Well no I haven't found anyone yet who can fix my problem.. i took my car to another dealer and i still get the same answer, "we drove your car and can't seem to find any problems" i even copied and paste your replys to my email and printed it out for them to read, so now at this point, I've decided to trade my car in for a 2004 Ls.. which only has 18,280 miles on it.. I'm sick of going round and round with the dealer, I'm a very busy mother of a daughter who has Autism, i just want a safe car.. I want to truly thank you for all your advice, you have been very helpful !! i only wish ford company had more people like you, to help people like me. I'll keep you updated as to how things go with my new car, hopefully i'll get it this car friday, if it hasn't been sold in the mean time, Have a great day
 
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Asia, as a tech who takes pride in my work and the way my dealership takes care of its customers, I can't tell you how embarrassed I am by your dealer experience. What a rotten way to sell you another car!
 
Frankie, yes i can tell you do take pride in your work, and your dealership is so lucky to have you !!! I do have a question, i know i ask alot :) Could you tell me if Ford made any changes to the LS from 2003 to 2004 ? I'm seriously thinking of buying a 04, also with it only having 18,300 miles on it, is the warranty still good till 50,000 or till a certain date ? thanks so much !
 
No major differences, but by '04 almost all of the bugs were worked out. If the price was right, I'd buy an '04-'06 LS in a heartbeat.

Now, be very careful about the warranty. It's 50,000 miles or 4 years from the ORIGINAL date of sale, whichever comes first. If this '04 model year LS was originally purchased in late '03, it may be out of warranty already!

Try to push them into providing you with Ford's Used Car ESP (extended service plan).
No B.S. third party warranty.
No 90 day in-house warranty.
Stick to your guns and insist upon the manufacturer ESP, and get "Premium Care", which is almost bumper to bumper. Ford ESP Basic is really just powertain only.

If it's possible, P.M. me with the VIN number and I'll run it through Ford's OASIS (Online Automotive Service Information System) and tell you what coverage it has, any outstanding recalls, and the warranty service history.
 
2003 LS V8 also with ETC Failure Message

2003 LS V8 also with ETC Failure Message

I found this thread regarding a ETC failure on the 2003 LS after having the same failure on my 2003 LS V8 with 62K miles. So far, it has only exhibited this failure twice. The first time it happened, the cluster flashed "ETC Failure, Limp Home Mode Activated" followed by "Check Fuel Door". I changed the fuel filter (by the way Motorcraft has specified the wrong fuel filter for my car to the auto parts stores) and did an oil change partially just because it was about that time. I didn't really think it would fix anything. It just happened again. This time it only had the ETC failure message. I checked the OBD codes after each event, and I got P0401/P0402 (EGR flow codes that I've had for a little while) and P2106 (Forced throttle reduction). The throttle reduction code does not seem very helpful, the cluster basically told me that. Anyone have any thoughts

Jim
 
I found this thread regarding a ETC failure on the 2003 LS after having the same failure on my 2003 LS V8 with 62K miles. So far, it has only exhibited this failure twice. The first time it happened, the cluster flashed "ETC Failure, Limp Home Mode Activated" followed by "Check Fuel Door". I changed the fuel filter (by the way Motorcraft has specified the wrong fuel filter for my car to the auto parts stores) and did an oil change partially just because it was about that time. I didn't really think it would fix anything. It just happened again. This time it only had the ETC failure message. I checked the OBD codes after each event, and I got P0401/P0402 (EGR flow codes that I've had for a little while) and P2106 (Forced throttle reduction). The throttle reduction code does not seem very helpful, the cluster basically told me that. Anyone have any thoughts

Jim

I think the following pretty much sums it up...



...

When the PCM sees any discrepancy whatsoever between the signals of the commanding TP sensors on the accelerator pedal and the commanded signals of the TP on the throttle body, it will go into failure management, shut down the ETC system, set "ETC Failure-Throttle Limit" codes, and display "ETC FAILSAFE" on the message center. This usually doesn't result in the car shutting down, as Mindymark pointed out. The engine will continue to run, but will be locked at idle RPM; there will be no response to the pedal.

If this is what's happening, and the dealership is recieving codes P2106 and/or P2135, there's a TSB for that!!!
Ford Technical Service Bulletin #05-14-04 calls for the replacing of the throttle body TPS with redesigned part, #3L5Z-9B989-AA.
...
 
ETC failure TSB

ETC failure TSB

Regarding the TSB for this the ETC failure issue.... I have limited experience with a dealership outside the warranty period. Would a TSB service call be covered or would it be at my expense? If it isn't covered, I'd most likely just do it myself.
 
Stubborn TPS screws.

Stubborn TPS screws.

The screw which hold the TPS to the throttle body are being very difficult. I've tried a heat gun, a torch, and brake cleaner. I still ended up breakng the head off of one and have the second one stuck. Any other thoughts to loosen the grip of the Loctite?
 
Did you remove the throttle body?

A impact screwdriver with the correct bit attachment will usually break loose stubborn screws.

Heat usually helps with the loctite.
 
ETC failure / Replaced throttle position sensor

ETC failure / Replaced throttle position sensor

Thank you for your assistance. I was able to get the last fastener off by applying heat for a longer duration. After reassembling and with the new throttle position sensor everything seems OK. The ETC failure hasn't returned in 3 commutes (120 miles). I'll let you know how things go long term.
I don't know if it's my imagination, but my transmission seems a lot better behaved as well. Before the sensor swap, I'd frequently have very rough down or up shifts which felt as if I was being rear ended. So far they haven't recurred over three days of driving. I'm still have a shaky 3rd to 4th, but no more bone shattering shifts. Does the TPS have a significant impact on shift algorithms?
 
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