Neutral tow mode - HELP!

[Dad]

Update: Dealer fixed it by resetting a module. It could have been an over the air update gone wrong.

A bit late to the party, but glad to hear you got it fixed and you are good to go. Let's hope it doesn't happen again.

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[Dad]

@bobhardy3 - I just got back from a trip from Virginia to Texas and back to Virginia. We were planning on flat towing our 2023 Maverick XLT and were able to tow many miles successfully, but ended up spending time at several Ford dealerships along the way. I had the same issue as you and followed the directions to a tee.

I could invoke “Neutral Tow” mode and tow successfully all day. However, when it came time to take the Maverick out of “Neutral Tow” mode, it was always a crap shoot. We never knew if we would be towing the Maverick the next day or looking for a Ford dealership to try to get them to “reset” it!

Two dealerships had mercy on us and were able to resolve the issue by resetting a module like they did for you. Several other dealerships either refused to give us service because they were too busy or the technician did not understand how to resolve the issue and told us that they had “cleared the error codes” but did not resolve the issue and we had to drive instead of tow the Maverick. Many wasted hours sitting in dealerships and waiting for resolution so we could continue on our journey.

Mixed results. Disappointing! Now we are home and I have an appointment with my primary dealership to have them look at it. I bought the truck to be able to tow it and if they can’t fix it so this does not happen again - I will have to move on to a more reliable tow vehicle (maybe a Jeep?).

The trouble is that I love the Maverick and don’t want to move on to a different vehicle. But if push comes to shove - I will move on.

Did you get this resolved?

 

[BradnChristine]

XLT. About to take a multi-day 1500+ mile trip so we’ll see how she does

I know that there are folks with XLTs who are successfully towing... I think the procedure is really exact and sensitive, and easier with the Lariat's push button being either off, accessory or running. I made myself a card as I don't want to trust my memory. I use a brake buddy, so it's instructions are in the middle:

 

[bobhardy3]

I know that there are folks with XLTs who are successfully towing... I think the procedure is really exact and sensitive, and easier with the Lariat's push button being either off, accessory or running. I made myself a card as I don't want to trust my memory. I use a brake buddy, so it's instructions are in the middle:

Odd as my my owners manual doesn't look like this. Basically, turn switch on, bring up menu, go to NT, hold button down to engage, shift to neutral, turn key off.

 

[BradnChristine]

Odd as my my owners manual doesn't look like this. Basically, turn switch on, bring up menu, go to NT, hold button down to engage, shift to neutral, turn key off.

This is my compilation of the Ford 2023 manual instructions and incorporating my BrakeBuddy instructions.
The Ford instructions fail to note that Neutral Tow is NOT a menu option in Settings, it is a menu option in VEHICLE, which is the next menu under SETTINGS. Again, this is a Lariat.
Item 6 screen instructions are simply to hold the ok button until the bar is complete.

Note that returning to Accessory after setting up NT to set up the Brake Buddy laves it in NT and you can simply press the button to take it out of accessory and leave the NT uninterrupted.
Ford only says:

 

[bobhardy3]

This is my compilation of the Ford 2023 manual instructions and incorporating my BrakeBuddy instructions.
The Ford instructions fail to note that Neutral Tow is NOT a menu option in Settings, it is a menu option in VEHICLE, which is the next menu under SETTINGS. Again, this is a Lariat.
Item 6 screen instructions are simply to hold the ok button until the bar is complete.

Note that returning to Accessory after setting up NT to set up the Brake Buddy laves it in NT and you can simply press the button to take it out of accessory and leave the NT uninterrupted.
Ford only says:

I'll definitely give it a try! I appreciate your help.

 

[bobhardy3]

Thank you to all who have contributed recommendations to solve my problem. I made it back home yesterday after 2 months on the road. Now fails to properly come out of NT after every tow (6 or 7 tmes now). Talked to a great technician (solved my deep sleep issue) at the dealership and he is contacting Ford and customer relations to try to solve this issue. Stay tuned!

 

[swtiming8]

I like the idea of a remote control disconnect. I believe I have a case # as well. On my 2nd stop and working properly so far.

Bob my trip in the RV with the Maverick in tow was uneventful thank goodness. I’m still curious did you disconnect the battery positive or negative line? I’ve always been told to always disconnect the negative line first when working on wiring.

 

[bobhardy3]

Glad to read your trip was uneventful. I removed the positive terminal but should try the negative side now that you mentioned it. Less chance of arcing with metal tools.

 

[GPSMan]

Glad to read your trip was uneventful. I removed the positive terminal but should try the negative side now that you mentioned it. Less chance of arcing with metal tools.

Exactly this.

I've also been told the electrons come out of the negative terminal and return to the positive terminal during discharge and go into the negative terminal while charging, if you picture it as water moving through a pipe. But I don't know if that's the greatest analogy.

 

[swtiming8]

Exactly this.

I've also been told the electrons come out of the negative terminal and return to the positive terminal during discharge and go into the negative terminal while charging, if you picture it as water moving through a pipe. But I don't know if that's the greatest analogy.

Many moons ago during my studies at Purdue and my training in the USAF we were taught as Bob said you get less arcing by removing the negative first especially if your metal wrench comes in contact with chassis. I’m not sure there is a right or wrong way but I can confirm you have less soiled undies disconnecting the negative first.

 

[bobhardy3]

Amen to that! I had a buddy weld his wedding band to his finger checking his oil. The dip stick drooped across the positive terminal with his wedding ring providing a ground. Another reason to ditch jewelry when working on vehicles.

 

[NJBob]

Update: Dealer fixed it by resetting a module. It could have been an over the air update gone wrong.

Great that it's fixed but don't think there are any over the air updates except for the infotainment.

 

[kylec]

I believe mine is resolved. Road Master worked with the company that installed my base plate. They found that the monitoring device needed to be wired differently because power was bleeding back from the device and confusing the computer. I’m scheduled to take another camping trip next weekend and will be towing. I’ll let everyone know the results from the trip.

 

[bobhardy3]

Keep us posted. I'll be calling RM and Brakebuddy today. Do you have any contact info?

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