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Pinpoint Test G: Neutral Tow Functional Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. G1 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW INDICATOR PROVE-OUT 
    • Key in ON position.
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Does the neutral tow indicator prove out? 

    Yes  GO to G2.

    No  GO to  G7.

  2. G2 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW ACTIVATION 
    • Activate neutral tow:
    • press and hold the brake pedal.
    • transmission in N (neutral).
    • key in OFF position.
    • press the 4WD AUTO and hold it for 5 seconds.
    • Does neutral tow activate? 

    Yes  GO to G3.

    No  GO to  G9.

  3. G3 CHECK FOR NEUTRAL TOW INDICATOR TIME-OUT 
    • Close the driver door.
    • Monitor the neutral tow indicator.
    • Does the indicator turn off after 20 seconds? 

    Yes  GO to G4.

    No  CHECK the vehicle security module (VSM) for faults. Refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .

  4. G4 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW INDICATION 
    • Open the driver's door.
    • Monitor the neutral tow indicator.
    • Does the neutral tow indicator illuminate? 

    Yes  GO to G5.

    No  CHECK the vehicle security module (VSM) for faults. REFER to HANDLES, LOCKS, LATCHES AND ENTRY SYSTEMS .

  5. G5 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW DEACTIVATION BY IGNITION SWITCH 
    • Key in ON position.
    • Does neutral tow deactivate? 

    Yes  GO to G6.

    No  GO to  G9.

  6. G6 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW REACTIVATION 
    • Reactivate neutral tow:
    • press and hold the brake pedal.
    • transmission in N (neutral).
    • key in OFF position.
    • press the 4WD AUTO and hold it for 5 seconds.
    • Deactivate neutral tow by shifting the transmission out of NEUTRAL.
    • Does neutral tow reactivate then deactivate? 

    Yes  The neutral tow system is functional.

    No  GO to  G10.

  7. G7 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW SYSTEM INSTALLATION 
    • Verify that all neutral tow system components are installed correctly.
    • Are all neutral tow system components installed correctly? 

    Yes  GO to G8.

    No  INSTALL the neutral tow system components as necessary, then REPEAT the functional test.

  8. G8 CHECK THE NEUTRAL TOW INDICATOR OPERATION 
    • Connect the diagnostic tool.
    • Follow the scan tool directions to activate neutral tow system.
    • Monitor the neutral tow indicator.
    • Key ON, then key OFF.
    • Does the neutral tow indicator prove out correctly? 

    Yes  GO to G2.

    No  CHECK and REPAIR neutral tow system wiring as necessary, then REPEAT the functional test.

  9. G9 CHECK SHIFT MOTOR OPERATION BY ACTIVATING 4L 
    • Key in ON position.
    • Select 4L:
    • vehicle stationary.
    • press the brake.
    • shift the transmission to N (neutral).
    • select 4L.
    • wait for the 4WD LOW indicator to illuminate in the instrument cluster indicating that the shift is complete.
    • Does the 4L indicator illuminate? 

    Yes  GO to G10.

    No  Go To PINPOINT TEST E .

  10. G10 CHECK THE TRANSMISSION RANGE (TR), BRAKE ON/OFF (BOO), AND IGNITION STATE PIDs 
    • Connect the diagnostic tool.
    • (NGS+ only)
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: PID/DATA Monitor and Record.
    • A. Monitor the transmission range (TR) sensor status PID while shifting the transmission through gear ranges.
    • B. Monitor the brake ON/OFF (BOO) switch PID while pressing and releasing the brake pedal.
    • C. Monitor the ignition state PID.

    A. Does the 4WD module transmission range (TR) sensor PID indicate NEUTRAL when the transmission is shifted to NEUTRAL? 

    B. Does the BOO switch PID agree with the actual brake pedal positions? 

    C. Does the ignition state PID indicate OFF? 

    Yes  If all three PIDS are accurate, INSTALL a new 4x4 module (PCM), then REPEAT the functional test.

    No 

    A.  REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 5R55S for further diagnosis of the TR sensor.

    B.  REFER to ANTI-LOCK CONTROL for further diagnosis of the BOO switch.

    C.  REFER to INFORMATION, GAUGES & WARNING DEVICES for further diagnosis of the ignition switch.