Resolved#24 - can’t shift it into neutral to get towed, Service AdvanceTrac, 1-Pedal Drive Fault

[Sgt. Carter]

I’m hoping for a quick resolution covered by warranty, and not something like rodent damage. I pulled my Solara out of winter storage so I have something to drive. We’ve gotten enough rain that the roads should be reasonably salt free.

In my case the truck was parked for 2 weeks in a semi rural area. A family of squirrels had moved in and chewed through the HVB and LVB wiring harnesses. The dealer hs hd it for 2 months because of waiting on the HVB harnesses. The good news is that insurance covered the cost minus my deductible.

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[chl]

In my case the truck was parked for 2 weeks in a semi rural area. A family of squirrels had moved in and chewed through the HVB and LVB wiring harnesses. The dealer hs hd it for 2 months because of waiting on the HVB harnesses. The good news is that insurance covered the cost minus my deductible.

Your not the first owner to have rodents chew the Lightning wiring and cause havoc.
A lot of places for them to get in under the truck.
A shame it takes so long to get the parts to fix it - I guess that will get worse now that the Lightning is cancelled.

I spray a product called Critter Ridder under mine to deter them - so far so good.

I had some rodents chew up my fuel pump on my 2001 Ranger during the COVID lock down when it didn't get driven very much, so I started using Critter Ridder and it stopped that problem.

Your story is a reminder that I'd better go do that right now!

 

[Nomoregas]

Well after a month of sitting I put 12 volt back in and truck worked all day, errors started coming back but truck worked odley, after charging at night it errored a 57 percent and once again the truck was as it was the first time and bricked, multiple errors flashing and repeating, could not shift even with emergency shift from screen.

She finally got flatbedded yesterday to dealer.

Now towing a non shifting truck I learned from the tow operator that the dolleys were not great for this weight and he was able to drag the truck from the rear onto the flatbed. As the rear wheels were locked he had these plastic skates he jammed under the rear tires and it slipped all the way up the bed, so you can drag these trucks onto a flatbed.

Will report the problem when I find out

 

[Sgt. Carter]

Your not the first owner to have rodents chew the Lightning wiring and cause havoc.
A lot of places for them to get in under the truck.
A shame it takes so long to get the parts to fix it - I guess that will get worse now that the Lightning is cancelled.

I spray a product called Critter Ridder under mine to deter them - so far so good.

I had some rodents chew up my fuel pump on my 2001 Ranger during the COVID lock down when it didn't get driven very much, so I started using Critter Ridder and it stopped that problem.

Your story is a reminder that I'd better go do that right now!

I had been using Cridder Ridder and concentrated mint oil around/under the frunk, both battery compartments and the charging port area. The squirrel team decided none of that mattered. . I know friends whose ICE vehicles have had similar damage when left unattended. So I’m not going to leave the truck parked in that spot anymore. Live and learn.

 

[chl]

I had been using Cridder Ridder and concentrated mint oil around/under the frunk, both battery compartments and the charging port area. The squirrel team decided none of that mattered. . I know friends whose ICE vehicles have had similar damage when left unattended. So I’m not going to leave the truck parked in that spot anymore. Live and learn.

Maybe they are developing 'immunity' to the smell in your parts.
Bummer!
Need a dog barking proximity alarm maybe?

 

[broncoaz]

Update on my truck. Ford said it had a broken wire going to the rear motor. I didn’t get to see it or speak with the tech directly, but the service advisor said it was going in as a warranty claim for corrosion. They are done with the repair, I feel like ~2 days is a very reasonable turnaround. When I pick it up and see the invoice I’ll have a better idea what parts they might have replaced. I’m glad it was a specific problem they were able to identify and repair rather than something intermittent.

 

[chl]

Update on my truck. Ford said it had a broken wire going to the rear motor. I didn’t get to see it or speak with the tech directly, but the service advisor said it was going in as a warranty claim for corrosion. They are done with the repair, I feel like ~2 days is a very reasonable turnaround. When I pick it up and see the invoice I’ll have a better idea what parts they might have replaced. I’m glad it was a specific problem they were able to identify and repair rather than something intermittent.

Quite a few wiring issue with the Lightning trucks due to corrosion, breaks, shorts, etc. have been posted here and in other places on the www.

My plan for when the weather warms up is to shove myself under there with a head-lamp on and locate 'vulnerable' wires and connectors and see if they could use some protective measures to avoid corrosion issues in the future.

Google-eyed-search says: "For superior protection, spray connections with products like Waxoyl Power Shield or ACF-50 to seal out moisture and road salt...."

CorrosionX: IDEAL FOR HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS: Designed for larger terminals and connectors like battery posts and grounding lugs, this thick, non-conductive formula provides lasting protection without harming sensitive components, perfect where rugged sealing is needed.

I've never had to do that with any previous truck or car before, but...seems like a good idea with the Lightning, alas.

 

[Nomoregas]

you will not see much under there, I was looking under mine on the flatbed and really was not much to see, if you watch Munro tear down a lightning most everything is pretty high on the frame. I was even wondering how you can change any of the components at the back of the truck under the bed, it will have to come off to access that stuff and what if you have a cap as I do, real pain. I think ford should have made a removeable plate in the bed of the truck to access that stuff.

 

[broncoaz]

Here is the write up on mine. Looks like they just paired the wire, but had to R&R the rear motor to do it.

Here is a pic of the terminal repair kit.

 

[MountainAlive]

Here is the write up on mine. Looks like they just paired the wire, but had to R&R the rear motor to do it.

Here is a pic of the terminal repair kit.

That’s a bummer the whole motor has to come out for this but I guess it makes sense.

 

[chl]

That’s a bummer the whole motor has to come out for this but I guess it makes sense.

A splice and shrink tube and instructions!

OMG how basic can you get?

Shrink tube should have been done from the start during the build, maybe?

 

[chl]

you will not see much under there, I was looking under mine on the flatbed and really was not much to see, if you watch Munro tear down a lightning most everything is pretty high on the frame. I was even wondering how you can change any of the components at the back of the truck under the bed, it will have to come off to access that stuff and what if you have a cap as I do, real pain. I think ford should have made a removeable plate in the bed of the truck to access that stuff.

Oh. Well I guess if anything has come loose from it's mooring and is hanging down that'll be what I look for. Or anything I can see AND reach.

I think some one had a molex type connector that they had to clean the corrosion off of to get rid of a bunch of errors on their OBD scan recently.

Not sure what to do to prevent animal munching if Critter Ridder and the like doesn't do the trick.

I found squirrels don't seem to bother basic electrical tape on my wired security cameras, but it doesn't last that long in the weather without shrink tubing over it.

Things to ponder.

 

[Nomoregas]

Think the real warning here is DO NOT drive if rain in the forecast! DO NOT drive if flurries in the forecast! Nice sunny day...Drive!

 

[broncoaz]

Think the real warning here is DO NOT drive if rain in the forecast! DO NOT drive if flurries in the forecast! Nice sunny day...Drive!

I drive in all weather and take my truck on the beach . The benefit of a lease is not worrying about corrosion long term, but I still rinse the undercarriage after every beach trip. The front end of these trucks holds about the equivalent of a 5 gallon bucket of sand.

 

[chl]

Here in the Piedmont of Virginia, no salt air but sometimes the smell of the Potomac River wafts this way (lately raw sewage from a pipe leak has made that smell even worse), not much snow and ice most winters so not a lot of road salts (this winter was an exception but I avoided driving in it), I 'turn around don't drown" when approaching a puddle of indeterminate depth - ever seen a lahar take a van away?

Belham River Valley, Montserrat, West Indies - heavy rain brings volcanic ash down the valley now and then.

In case of teeth, I spray Critter Ridder under my truck periodically for the squirrels and other rodents, I have now dealt with the behind the glove box wire bundle issue (I hope), I keep my truck 12v on a maintainer...am I missing anything?

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