Pinpoint Test M: Neutral Tow Functional Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

M1 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW INDICATOR PROVE-OUT
- Key in ON position.
- Key in OFF position.
- Does the neutral tow indicator prove out?
- Yes : GO to M2.
- No : GO to M7.
M2 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 M3.
- No : GO to M9.
M3 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 M4.
- No : CHECK the vehicle security module (VSM) for faults. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .
M4 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW INDICATION
- Open the driver's door.
- Monitor the neutral tow indicator.
- Does the neutral tow indicator illuminate?
- Yes : GO to M5.
- No : CHECK the vehicle security module (VSM) for faults. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .
M5 CHECK NEUTRAL TOW DEACTIVATION BY IGNITION SWITCH
- Key in ON position.
- Does neutral tow deactivate?
- Yes : GO to M6.
- No : GO to M9.
M6 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 M10.
M7 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 M8.
- No : INSTALL the neutral tow system components as necessary, then REPEAT the functional test.
M8 CHECK THE NEUTRAL TOW INDICATOR OPERATION
- Connect the diagnostic tool.
- Follow the diagnostic 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 M2.
- No : CHECK and REPAIR neutral tow system wiring as necessary, then REPEAT the functional test.
M9 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 M10.
- No : GO to PINPOINT TEST K .
M10 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.
- Monitor the transmission range (TR) sensor status PID while shifting the transmission through gear ranges.
- Monitor the brake ON/OFF (BOO) switch PID while pressing and releasing the brake pedal.
- 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 3 PIDs are accurate, INSTALL a new 4WD module (PCM), then REPEAT the functional test.
- No : A. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/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 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND PANEL ILLUMINATION for further diagnosis of the ignition switch.