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Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> Explorer Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 254 (Information Center - Instrumentation, Message Center, And Warning Chimes) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes >> Symptom Chart: Message Center

Symptom Chart: Message Center

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Diagnostics in this service information assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. SERVICE INFORMATION for information regarding Ford-specific diagnostic practices.

SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION - MESSAGE CENTER

Condition Possible Sources Actions
  • The message center is not operating correctly
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Clockspring
  • Message center switch (part of the LH  steering wheel switch)
  • SCCM 
  • IPC 
  • The message center display is blank
  • IPC 
  • The charging system message center warning indicator is never or always on
  • Charging system concern
  • PCM 
  • BCM 
  • IPC 
  • The cruise control message center indicator is never or always on
  • Cruise control system concern
  • PCM 
  • IPC 
  • The door ajar message center warning indicator is never or always on
  • Interior lighting concern
  • BCM 
  • IPC 
  • The engine over-temperature message center warning indicator is never or always on
  • PCM  concern
  • IPC 
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the door ajar message center warning indicator functions correctly.
    • If the door ajar message center warning indicator does not function correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST AC .
    • If the door ajar message center warning indicator functions correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST C .
  • The grade assist message center indicator is never or always on
  • Grade assist system concern
  • Transaxle concern
  • PCM  concern
  • IPC 
  • The lane departure warning system disabled message center indicator is never or always on
  • Lane departure warning system concern
  • Image Processing Module - A (IPM-A)
  • IPC 
  • The low fuel message center indicator is never or always on
  • Fuel gauge indication concern
  • IPC 
  • The low oil pressure message center warning indicator is never or always on
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Tachometer concern
  • Engine oil pressure switch
  • Base engine concern
  • PCM 
  • IPC 
  • The low washer fluid message center indicator is never or always on
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Washer fluid level sensor
  • IPC 
  • The powertrain malfunction (wrench) message center warning indicator is never or always on
  • ETC  concern
  • AWD  concern
  • Transaxle concern
  • IPC 
  • The auxiliary switch menu display is inoperative (police package)
  • Auxiliary switch input to the Generic Function Module (GFM) concern
  • Generic Function Module (GFM)
  • IPC 
NOTE: The lane departure warning chime only sounds to alert the driver that they have their hands off the steering wheel. Normal alerting is done through steering wheel vibrations, which cannot be felt when the drivers hands are not on the steering wheel.
  • The DTE  -Average Fuel Economy (AFE) display is inoperative
  • IPC 
  • CHECK the operation of the speedometer, the fuel gauge and the odometer.
    • If the speedometer, the fuel gauge or the odometer do not operate correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST B .
    • If the speedometer, the fuel gauge and the odometer operate correctly, INSTALL a new IPC  . REFER to Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) .
  • The instrument panel dimming display does not appear or change when changing the dimming
  • Instrument panel illumination concern
  • The lane keeping aid or lane keeping alert display is inoperative
  • Message center concern
  • Lane departure warning system is turned off
  • IPC 
  • VERIFY the LH IPC  message center display operates.
  • The outside air temperature display is inoperative or incorrect
  • Communication concern
  • PCM  concern
  • The AWD OFF or CHECK AWD message is inoperative or always on
  • Message center concern
  • AWD  system concern
  • IPC 
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly.
  • The CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, PARK BRAKE ENGAGED or BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW warning is inoperative or always on
  • Brake warning indication concern
  • IPC 
NOTE: It is important that the ignition is in the off state before removing the fuse. If the fuse is removed with the engine running, the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) may set DTCs  that can only be cleared by replacing the module.
  • With the ignition off, remove BJB fuse 89 (5A). Place the ignition on and monitor the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC message center display.
  • The CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM message is inoperative or always on
  • Charging system concern
  • PCM 
  • IPC 
  • GO to PINPOINT TEST W  to diagnose the charging system message center warning indicator.
  • The CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message is inoperative
  • Odometer concern
  • IPC 
  • Using the system check in the message center, VERIFY the oil life is between 0% and 5% for the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message or at 0% for the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.

  • If the oil life is between 0% and 5%, INSTALL a new IPC  . REFER to Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) .
  • If the oil life is not between 0% and 5%, the message center is operating correctly. INFORM the customer how the message center functions and how the oil life messages are set.
  • The CHECK FUEL INLET message is inoperative or always on
  • Evaporative emissions concern
  • PCM 
  • IPC 
  • The CHECK PARK AID warning is always on
  • Parking aid system concern
  • Communication network
  • The COULD NOT PROGRAM INTEGRATED KEY message is always on
  • Maximum number of keys programmed
  • Integrated key programming concern
  • The DRIVER, PASSENGER, REAR LEFT, REAR RIGHT DOOR or liftgate AJAR warning is inoperative or always on
  • Interior lighting concern
  • IPC 
NOTE: It is important that the ignition is in the off state before removing the fuse. If the fuse is removed with the engine running, the PSCM  may set DTCs  that can only be cleared by replacing the module.
  • With the ignition off, remove BJB fuse 89 (5A). Place the ignition on and monitor the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC message center display.
    • If the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC warning does not illuminate, INSTALL a new IPC  . REFER to Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) .
    • If the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC warning illuminates, GO to PINPOINT TEST AC  to diagnose the door ajar message center warning indicator.
  • The FUEL LEVEL LOW warning is inoperative or always on
  • Fuel gauge indication concern
  • IPC 
  • The SERVICE ADVANCETRAC warning message is inoperative or always on
  • Stability-traction control indication concern
  • IPC 
  • The TIRES NOT TRAINED REPEAT message is always on
  • TPMS  sensor training
  • The TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT, LOW TIRE PRESSURE or TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT warning is inoperative or always on
  • BCM 
  • IPC 
NOTE: It is important that the ignition is in the off state before removing the fuse. If the fuse is removed with the engine running, the PSCM may set DTCs  that can only be cleared by replacing the module.
  • With the ignition off, remove BJB fuse 89 (5A). Place the ignition on and monitor the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC message center display.
    • If the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC warning does not illuminate, INSTALL a new IPC  . REFER to Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) .
    • If the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC warning illuminates, GO to PINPOINT TEST Q  to diagnose the TPMS  warning indicator.
  • The TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED message is inoperative or always on
  • ABS  concern
  • IPC 
  • GO to PINPOINT TEST N  to diagnose the stability-traction control indicator (sliding car icon).
  • The TRAINING COMPLETE message is inoperative
  • TPMS  sensor training
NOTE: This message only appears during the TPMS  sensor training procedure.
  • The TRAIN LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, RIGHT REAR and LEFT REAR message is inoperative or always on
  • TPMS  warning indicator concern
  • TPMS  sensor training
NOTE: This message only appears during the TPMS  sensor training procedure.
  • The TRANSPORT MODE CONTACT DEALER message is always on
  • Vehicle still in transport mode
  • The NO KEY DETECTED or RESTART NOW OR KEY IS NEEDED message is inoperative or always on
  • Message center concern
  • Intelligent Access (IA) concern
NOTE: It is important that the ignition is in the off state before removing the fuse. If the fuse is removed with the engine running, the PSCM may set DTCs  that can only be cleared by replacing the module.
  • The PRESS BRAKE TO START, ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE or STARTING SYSTEM FAULT message is inoperative or always on
  • Message center concern
  • IA  concern
NOTE: It is important that the ignition is in the off state before removing the fuse. If the fuse is removed with the engine running, the PSCM may set DTCs  that can only be cleared by replacing the module.
  • With the ignition off, remove BJB fuse 89 (5A). Place the ignition on and monitor the SERVICE ADVANCTRAC message center display.
  • The REMOVE OBJECTS NEAR PASS SEAT warning is always on
  • Objects near the passenger seat or seat track
  • Occupant classification system concern
  • REMOVE any objects near the passenger seat or seat track. If the REMOVE OBJECTS NEAR PASS SEAT warning is still present, SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM to diagnose the occupant classification system.
  • The SERVICE STEERING or SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW warning is inoperative or always on
  • EPAS  system concern
  • PSCM 
  • IPC 
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly.
  • The SHIFT TO PARK message is inoperative or always on
  • PRNDL display concern
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Park position detect switch (part of the selector lever)
  • BCM 
  • The LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE message is inoperative or always on
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Tachometer concern
  • Engine oil pressure switch
  • Base engine concern
  • PCM 
  • IPC 
  • The WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW message is inoperative or always on
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Washer fluid level sensor
  • IPC 
  • GO to PINPOINT TEST AB  to diagnose the low washer fluid level message center indicator.
  • An AWD  status message is inoperative or always on
  • Message center concern
  • AWD 
  • PCM 
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly.
  • A BLIS®  or CTA  system message is inoperative or always on
  • Message center concern
  • BLIS®  or CTA  system concern
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly.
    • If the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning does not function correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST AC .
    • If the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly, REFER to SIDE AND REAR VISION to diagnose the BLIS®  and CTA  systems.
  • A forward collision warning system message is inoperative or always on
  • Message center concern
  • Forward collision warning system concern
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly.
    • If the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning does not function correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST AC .
    • If the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly, REFER to COLLISION AVOIDANCE to diagnose the forward collision warning system.
  • A hill descent control message is inoperative or never or always on
  • Message center concern
  • ABS  module
  • OPEN then CLOSE the driver door and VERIFY the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly.
    • If the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning does not function correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST AC .
    • If the DRIVER DOOR AJAR warning functions correctly, GO to PINPOINT TEST AJ .
  • A MyKey® menu is not available or is incorrect
  • MyKey® programmed key in use
  • Number of keys set to unlimited mode
  • Non-Ford approved remote start system installed
NOTE: MyKey® may not be compatible with non-Ford approved remote start systems.
  • REFER to the Owner's Literature.