Neutral tow mode - HELP!

[realshelby]

I just installed extra sockets and bulbs in my Maverick taillights and did away with the diodes completely.
Time will tell if the Neutral Tow issue comes up again.

This is the method I have used for my last 3 toads. While I get that the diodes SHOULD work, and that tapping into the factory wiring SHOULD NOT cause problems, the fact is that anytime you tap into a factory wiring harness there IS a chance for errors and failures over time. Plus the Blue Ox bulb/socket/wiring kit is cheaper and worry free. There are enough issues, owner caused or not, with towing these Mavericks that I am glad I don't have to even consider whether diodes are part of the problem......

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[Bert Rooster]

Turns out the truck is super sensitive to the NT disengage procedure. You must climb in, close the door. turn the key to ACC, fully depress the brake pedal, and shift the gear selector to P. At that point it will display "Neutral Tow Disengaged" and the truck is happy. Any deviation or extra steps will confuse the truck requiring the battery to be disconnected (a momentary disconnect of the negative terminal will suffice).
I had this happen periodically until I realized I was either messing with my RVIBrake, leaving the door open, or not turning the key all of the way to ACC. My last 4 stops following this procedure went flawlessly, prior it was hit or miss that I would get the NT Disengage confusion.

BTW, after the truck stranded me in Wilcox, AZ with a totally dead 12V battery I installed a NAPA replacement battery and have not had any battery issues. I also run a charge line from my MH and have a dedicated 12V outlet wired directly to the underhood jump point for my RVIBrake.

 

[epgrove]

Turns out the truck is super sensitive to the NT disengage procedure. You must climb in, close the door. turn the key to ACC, fully depress the brake pedal, and shift the gear selector to P. At that point it will display "Neutral Tow Disengaged" and the truck is happy. Any deviation or extra steps will confuse the truck requiring the battery to be disconnected (a momentary disconnect of the negative terminal will suffice).
I had this happen periodically until I realized I was either messing with my RVIBrake, leaving the door open, or not turning the key all of the way to ACC. My last 4 stops following this procedure went flawlessly, prior it was hit or miss that I would get the NT Disengage confusion.

BTW, after the truck stranded me in Wilcox, AZ with a totally dead 12V battery I installed a NAPA replacement battery and have not had any battery issues. I also run a charge line from my MH and have a dedicated 12V outlet wired directly to the underhood jump point for my RVIBrake.

I agree it is fickle. Didn't realize leaving the door open was part of the issue. Have you verified this?

 

[Bert Rooster]

Yes. Door open and follow procedure = error, close door (it's about 2000 degrees in there after towing several hundred miles in eastern Oregon,) follow procedure = happy truck. Also removing RVIBrake with door open caused the error, seems contrary since RVIBrake depresses the brake pedal during normal operation. Apparently NT requires the door to be closed for braking or disengagement.
We'll be traveling again soon and I will get a chance to verify my new procedure.

 

[BradnChristine]

I agree it is fickle. Didn't realize leaving the door open was part of the issue. Have you verified this?

I don't close my door while setting up/unsetting. ever. Never an issue with my 2023 Lariat. I'm thinking this is an example of inductive reasoning, but if his process is working for him, then great.

 

[Suptrack]

My Mav is in and I'll pick it up on Saturday. Maybe someone can tell me where I can buy the Maverick fender air vents. Can't wait to drive her. I want to dress her up.

 

[White Thunder]

My Mav is in and I'll pick it up on Saturday. Maybe someone can tell me where I can buy the Maverick fender air vents. Can't wait to drive her. I want to dress her up.

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[Suptrack]

Thanks !!

 

[Skipper514]

has anyone had this same problem with a 2024 Mav?

Yes
It’s stuck in tow mode and won’t work when following instructions

 

[BradnChristine]

Yes
It’s stuck in tow mode and won’t work when following instructions

Disconnect the battery for at least 10 minutes. Hopefully, that will take it out. And the instructions are HIGHLY specific and easy to miss something. I always use a "cheater card" and have had no issues.

 

[rwtucker]

Yes
It’s stuck in tow mode and won’t work when following instructions

Yes. If you look through these posts, you will see a lot of comments about this. The quick remedy is to disconnect the ground wire from 12V battery under the rear seat for some amount of time. It should reset. Search these post for descriptions of how to avoid it happening again.

 

[Dan A]

As you, after over 3,000 miles (with at least 17 neutral tows successfully completed) of flat towing our 2022 Ford Maverick XLT, we now have a problem with the gear shift knob (and driving mode of the car) being out-of-synch with the electronics and the panel gear shift indicator, which continually shows "N" for neutral. Plus, at shut-off, a message appears stating that the vehicle is in the neutral tow mode when it absolutely is not. Nor can the neutral tow be re-engaged from vehicle settings where it shows it is not engaged. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO RESET THIS?? Ford definitely has a software issue / glitch with disengaging neutral tow of the vehicle. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Twinboat]

Ddisconnect the battery,

Yes. If you look through these posts, you will see a lot of comments about this. The quick remedy is to disconnect the ground wire from 12V battery under the rear seat for some amount of time. It should reset. Search these post for descriptions of how to avoid it happening again.

As you, after over 3,000 miles (with at least 17 neutral tows successfully completed) of flat towing our 2022 Ford Maverick XLT, we now have a problem with the gear shift knob (and driving mode of the car) being out-of-synch with the electronics and the panel gear shift indicator, which continually shows "N" for neutral. Plus, at shut-off, a message appears stating that the vehicle is in the neutral tow mode when it absolutely is not. Nor can the neutral tow be re-engaged from vehicle settings where it shows it is not engaged. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO RESET THIS?? Ford definitely has a software issue / glitch with disengaging neutral tow of the vehicle. Thanks, everyone!

Disconnect the battery cable under the back seat for a few minutes and reconnect. All clear.

 

[Dan A]

Yes, thanks, called a dealer a while ago and got the same suggestion. And it worked!! Thank you for your quick response!

 

[spotdog1]

I can confirm that Bert Roosters suggestion from July 2024 post in this forum to shut the door before disengaging neutral tow works every time. Thank you Bert Rooster!!!
Every time before trying this our Maverick xlt would get the “stuck in tow mode” error. Now we shut the door before following the factory disengage procedures, and every time it works correctly. 8 successful trips now without the error. Seems really silly and doesn’t make sense…but it works, and is an easy fix! No more disconnecting the battery every trip.

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