The normal presets didn't happen, where the set moves up, steering, pedals, mirror, etc, all adjust to your settings when I got in the truck today. I was able to manually adjust everything except the steering wheel position. This happened once before, and I was able to resolve by parking the truck and locking it and letting sit for a while. Now it happend again today. Should I be expecting a failure of the whole systems soon? I got the extended aftermarket warranty on the electronics knows there are hundreds, if not thousands of discreet logic units in these trucks. Just wondering if it was a thing, or if there was a way to re-engage. Will find out tomorrow if letting it sit locked for a while fixed it again, even if temporary.

 

Just a shot in the dark here, but if your truck is a 2019, have you replaced the batteries yet? My wife's 2018 Explorer did some funky things when her battery was on its way out ... same with her 2013 Explorer.

 

I had it happen 5-6 times in my 18 250. Each time I was able to fully power off the truck. Engine off, Door open then close. Engine on. That always resolves it. Mine stored a code each time it occurred you can pull off. It simply a fault at startup. Oddly never occurred when it was time for new batteries. That was a no warning between stops running errands truck was doa.

 

I had it occur once before a while back, and the "soft reboot" fixed it. Not this time. I'll take a look at the batteries. Might be that time, being it was built in 2018 and batteries are still fine. Fine as in, powers everything up except the buttons on the steering column. Can't even adjust manually with it running. But yeah, I can see gremlins caused by low voltage being possible.

 

Update:

I didn't have the problem again, but here it is a month or so later, and truck wouldn't start. Its hit and miss trying to dianose these dual batteries. I thought maybe I left a light on or something because I was using the bed lights the night before, so I jumped it, added some distilled water to a couple cells that were low, and cleaned up all the corrosion that had started on the terminals with some baking soda. Indicator circle on both batteries green.

That helped a for a few days, then same thing. The strange gremlins that creep in because the batteries, or at least one of them, isn't up to par. How can it work fine for a few days, then not? Then work again for a few days, then not? The engine would turn over a time or two, but not with enough oomph to start it up.

I was like, if there was only a way to temporarily shut off the power running boards, steering wheel, pedals, seat moving around, and center console from booting up, along with all lights, and everything else not required to just start the engine, it might have been enough. lol I remember the old days, you could get out of a pinch by turning off everything not needed in such a scenario.

Being a 2019, I took everyone's advice and got some AGMs. So far so good. They were about $240 each at Advance. And I let them install them for free. Yes, I let someone else touch my truck for the first time. But I was standing right there the whole time. And Eddie, at Advance, that I've known to be give very good advise for years of going there, said so. I only said I need batteries checked. He said, no, you need to just replace them with AGMs. A 2019 truck with batteries that are even older, just do it.

Then we had a joke about how they were Die Hard Platinum AGM Batteries, to match the Platinum trim of the truck. So far so good. No more gremlins since.

DieHard Platinum AGMBattery: 65 Group Size, 750 CCA, 935 CA, 120 Min Reserve Capacity, Best For High Electrical Demands

I saw somewhere on here that you need to update in Forscan if you change to AGM. Huh? Haven't done that. Point me to the manual where it says that. I'd think it could be configured in the dash or something if that were the case. But I think wrong a lot too.

 

The other way he talks about is to just let your truck for 8 hrs with out doing anything to the truck and it will reset on it's own ( ie ... letting it sit over nigh ).

 

That got me curious so I went to RTFM some more and found something about it. So now I'm still wondering, since this wasn't the symptoms I saw. The NAV/Audio unit and climate control were still active, and I was wanting them to not be so I could start the truck. I don't know about the heated seats/wheel/window, since its warm this time of year, but the fan came on.

But this doesn't look to be specific to using AGM batteries, just how to re-set after a battery change in general. My solution to avert that problem was to swap them one at a time, I didn't have to re-set anything.


Battery Management System (If
Equipped)
The battery management system monitors
battery conditions and takes actions to
extend battery life. If excessive battery
drain is detected, the system temporarily
disables some electrical systems to
protect the battery.
Systems included are:
• Heated rear window.
• Heated seats.
• Climate control.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Audio unit.
• Navigation system.
A message may appear in the information
displays to alert you that battery
protection actions are active. These
messages are only for notification that an
action is taking place, and not intended to
indicate an electrical problem or that the
battery requires replacement.
After battery replacement, or in some
cases after charging the battery with an
external charger, the battery management
system requires eight hours of vehicle sleep
time to relearn the battery state of charge.
During this time your vehicle must remain
fully locked with the ignition switched off.
Note: Prior to relearning the battery state
of charge, the battery management system
may temporarily disable some electrical
systems.