Symptom Chart
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Diagnostics in this article assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. REFER to: Diagnostic Methods .
NOTE:
Rule out any parking aid camera system concerns prior to diagnosing the PTBA system.
NOTE:
The customer trailer needs to be connected to the vehicle to properly diagnose a PTBA system concern.
NOTE:
Low battery voltage is a condition that prevents the PTBA system from operating. Verify the battery voltage and condition if the system is not available prior to diagnosing the PTBA system.
NOTE:
On vehicles equipped with the rear only parking aid camera system, anytime the rear parking aid camera or any body component that the camera is attached to is removed or adjusted, the PTBA camera alignment must be performed following the repair.
Refer to Pro Trailer Backup Assist Camera Alignment
NOTE:
On vehicles equipped with the 360 degree view camera system, anytime a camera or any body component that a camera is attached to is removed or adjusted, the 360 degree view camera alignment and
the PTBA camera alignment must be performed following the repair.
Refer to 360 Degree View Camera Alignment in 360 Degree View Camera Alignment
Refer to Pro Trailer Backup Assist Camera Alignment
| Condition | Possible Causes | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| A module does not communicate with the diagnostic scan tool | Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors Module |
See: Symptom Chart: Communication Network. REFER to: Communications Network . |
| The PTBA control knob status indicator is inoperative or always illuminated (the PTBA system is operating correctly) | Refer to the Pinpoint Test | GO to Pinpoint Test A |
| The PTBA system consistently jackknifes the trailer | Refer to the Pinpoint Test | GO to Pinpoint Test B |
| The PTBA system cannot find the trailer target sticker or the IPC message center displays " PTBA Sticker Not Found. Shift to Park" or "PTBA Sticker Not Found. Refer to Owner's Manual" | Incorrect user measurements | Verify the setup measurements. REFER to the Owner's Literature. |
| Dirty or iced over rear parking aid camera lens | INSPECT the rear parking aid camera lens for debris, dirt, ice or snow accumulation. CLEAN the rear parking aid camera as necessary. | |
| There is no trailer target sticker on the trailer tongue or the trailer target sticker is not located on the correct zone of the trailer tongue | The PTBA system works only if a trailer target sticker is detected by the rear parking aid camera within a specific zone on a conventional trailer tongue. Refer to the Owner's Literature (Pro Trailer Backup Assist Quick Start Guide) to find the detailed instructions required to properly position the trailer target sticker. | |
| An obstruction may be covering the trailer target sticker | INSPECT and CLEAN the trailer target sticker. REMOVE any obstruction that is covering the trailer target sticker. | |
| Damaged rear parking aid camera | INSPECT the camera lens for damage or scratches. REPLACE the rear parking aid camera as necessary. REFER to: Rear Parking Aid Camera . | |
| Refer to the Pinpoint Test | GO to Pinpoint Test C | |
| The PTBA system cannot find the trailer target sticker at night or during low light conditions only (except China) | PTBA not enabled or activated Inoperative trailer assist lamp Dirty camera lens PTBA trailer target sticker concern Wiring, terminals or connectors BCM |
See: The cargo lamps, bed lamps or trailer assist lamp is inoperative or always on. REFER to: Interior Lighting . |
| The PTBA system cannot find the trailer target sticker at night or during low light conditions only (China only) | The PTBA system is operating correctly | Normal operation; no action is required. The feature should only be operated in daylight conditions. |
| The PTBA system does not turn the trailer sharp enough | Incorrect user measurements | Verify the setup measurements. REFER to the Owner's Literature. |
| The PTBA system is operating correctly | No action is required. Normal operation due to the jackknife protection feature. | |
| The PTBA system goes directly into large turn without the knob being turned (after vehicle and trailer stabilizes into a constant radius turn the steering wheel position stays above 90 degrees from straight ahead position while backing up without turning knob) | The driver selected the wrong trailer in the trailer selection menu The driver moved or replaced the trailer target sticker and did not repeat the setup process by selecting "Change Sticker" option in the trailer menus Sticky or defective PTBA control knob |
VERIFY the trailer name stored in IPC and check if more than one trailer can be selected. If more than one trailer can be selected, the correct trailer need to be selected. Determine if condition still exist. Select "Change Trailer Sticker" option from the message center trailer menu, verify user measurements are correct and follow the IPC prompts to calibrate the trailer by driving straight forward. Determine if condition still exist. INSTALL a new PTBA control knob if condition is not resolved by repeating setup and calibration. REFER to: Pro Trailer Backup Assist Control Knob . |
| The PTBA system does not backup the trailer straight | The ground is irregular | INFORM the customer that an irregular ground can affect how straight the PTBA system backup the trailer when the PTBA control knob is not turned. The PTBA control knob may need to be turned to maintain straight backing on some surfaces. REFER to the Owner's Literature. |
| The vehicle and trailer were on an irregular or highly crowned road when calibrated | INFORM the customer that a repeat calibration on a flat smooth road may be necessary. REFER to the Owner's Literature (Troubleshooting). | |
| The rear parking aid camera, the tailgate or the tailgate release handle is damaged affecting the position of the camera | INSPECT the rear parking aid camera, the tailgate and the tailgate release handle. REPAIR or REPLACE the component(s) as necessary. REFER to: Rear Parking Aid Camera
.
REFER to: Tailgate Release Handle
. INFORM the customer that trailers in the IPC memory may need to be recalibrated. REFER to the Owner's Literature (Troubleshooting). |
|
| The drawbar connection to the hitch receiver has excessive lash | INFORM the customer that some PTBA control knob input may be required to account for significant lash in drawbar connection. REFER to the Owner's Literature. | |
| The tires are not inflated to the correct pressure, the tires are not the same size or the tires are not the OE (original equipment) size | INSPECT the vehicle and trailer suspension, tire pressure, condition of the tire and tire size. REPAIR or REPLACE the suspect component(s) as necessary. | |
| Vehicle or trailer suspension concern | ||
| Frozen or slow screen transitions between PTBA camera views (vehicles with 360 degree view camera system) | IPMB | INSTALL a new IPMB. REFER to: Image Processing Module B (IPMB) . |
| The IPC message center displays "Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ System is Not Available." | The driver allowed the vehicle to roll rearward or forward before system activation while the transmission is in reverse | INFORM the customer not to allow the vehicle to roll rearward or forward before system activation while the transmission is in reverse. If the vehicle rolls backwards before active control begins the "Stop Now Take Control of Steering Wheel" warning is displayed along with chimes and then the system returns to the trailer selection screen. REFER to the Owner's Literature. |
| Refer to the Pinpoint Test | GO to Pinpoint Test D | |
| The IPC message center or the centerstack infotainment display shows a "Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Stop Now" message | The driver applied pressure or resistance on the steering wheel while the PTBA system was active | INFORM the customer not to touch the steering wheel while the system is active. REFER to the Owner's Literature. |
| Refer to the Pinpoint Test | GO to Pinpoint Test D | |
| The PTBA system is inoperative or does not operate correctly | Refer to the Pinpoint Test | GO to Pinpoint Test D |
| The IPC message center trailer information or the PTBA displays are inoperative or always displayed | IPC | See: The trailer information or trailer backup assist displays are never displayed. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . |
| The IPC message center or the LH upper steering wheel switch is not operating correctly | Wiring, terminals or connectors Message center switch (part of the LH upper steering wheel switch) Clockspring IPC SCCM |
See: The message center is not operating correctly. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . |
| Rear parking aid camera/display concern | - | REFER to: Parking Aid . |