Strange codes/messages
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8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Strange codes/messages
While driving last night under normal conditions- no load or towing- I had a couple messages pop up on the dash. I first got a "service advance trac" immediately followed by "hill descent control fault". The truck never acted weird and drove normally home from my errand, approx. 8 miles. When backing into my driveway a few minutes later, I got a "hill start assist unavailable" message. I shut the truck off and went on about my evening. Approx 1 hour later I started the truck and drove it again, with a light utility trailer with a light load (maybe 2500 lbs. total) with no messages and no problems. Just curious if anyone else has had a similar issue.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 267
Likes: 79
From: San Antonio
Have your batteries load tested to verify they are good. Doesn't matter the voltage, but the load capacity. I had one battery showing 55CCA on it under load and the other showing 350CCA under load and they were both 750CCA batteries. Truck started and ran fine, just kept having weird things happening like that. Easy entry/exit quit working, mirrors wouldn't fold/unfold when opening/closing doors, radio set to 24 hr clock on it's own. Tested batteries and they were both bad at 3 yrs old. Fortunately warranty replaced them for free. Don't just check the voltage across the terminals. Get them load tested to see how they hold up.
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8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
I load tested the batteries and they tested fine. Connections we're good as well. I also checked the wiring harnesses beneath the truck since I drove in one of our fields with some saplings and brush (I haven't bush hogged yet), and all connections were good.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 49
From: WA
What year is your truck? My ‘23 had that issue too before other sensors started tripping also. It was caused by a bad wheel speed sensor. At first only the messages would pop up while turning and then it’d be all systems good. Eventually it started happening in a straight line and then other sensors for ABS, assisted braking, cross traffic alerts, and anything tied the ACC started faulting as well. The wire for the sensor was ran incorrectly during production and was chaffing on something else
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8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Sorry, Jared. I left that out. My truck is a '19 F250 Lariat with 106k miles. I've driven about 200 miles since then, some towing a light load and some interstate without a trailer, and no issues. The truck must have just had a glitch for a second and needed to burp. It's just a little alarming with all the electronics on a truck nowadays.
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 429
Likes: 126
Read the codes
While driving last night under normal conditions- no load or towing- I had a couple messages pop up on the dash. I first got a "service advance trac" immediately followed by "hill descent control fault". The truck never acted weird and drove normally home from my errand, approx. 8 miles. When backing into my driveway a few minutes later, I got a "hill start assist unavailable" message. I shut the truck off and went on about my evening. Approx 1 hour later I started the truck and drove it again, with a light utility trailer with a light load (maybe 2500 lbs. total) with no messages and no problems. Just curious if anyone else has had a similar issue.
A five minute key off reset it, but I read the codes first and took a photo for the dealer. It did malfunction again and I took it in for service. No problem since.
The steering angle is needed on the CAN bus for all stability and some ABS functionality.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,819
Likes: 544
From: Florida
I get this occasionally on my 23 too. Always seems to go away within a minute or two. All terminals I can reach under the rear bumper/bed have dielectric grease. Not too worried about it, but would sure like to get it figured out.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Phenix City, AL
That is an interesting bit of info about the parking brake. I do use mine all the time and I also have had weird electronic glitches like the taillight radars deciding not to work. Once the whole info screen was black when I started the truck. They all went away with a restart and would not reappear sometimes for over a year.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
check those connections at the e-brake. Might need to move some wiring out of the way.
I typically only use my e-brake on inclines or when truely needed.
My point of view is it tends to stretch the cables when used alot. I don't know if this is true or not but I just don't see the need to excessive use.
It is not a parking brake.
I typically only use my e-brake on inclines or when truely needed.
My point of view is it tends to stretch the cables when used alot. I don't know if this is true or not but I just don't see the need to excessive use.
It is not a parking brake.