Pinpoint Test N: Four-Wheel Drive System Functional Test
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2022 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Normal Operation and Fault Conditions
REFER to: Four-Wheel Drive Systems - System Operation and Component Description .
Possible Sources
- 4WD system and/or related components
WARNING: When directed to drive the vehicle as part of this test, drive the vehicle on a hard surface in an area without traffic to prevent a crash. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury. - N1 CHECK IPC (INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER) TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INFORMATION DISPLAY MESSAGES
- Observe the Terrain Management System Information Display on the IPC:
Is a "Terrain Management System Fault" message observed on the IPC?
Yes GO to N9 No GO to N2 - N2 CHECK IPC (INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER) 4X4 INFORMATION DISPLAY MESSAGES
- Ignition ON.
- Observe the 4X4 Information Display on the IPC and check for the following status messages:
- "4X4 Temporarily Disabled"
- "4X4 Off"
- "4X4 Malfunction Service Required"
Are any of the messages observed on the IPC?
Yes If the "4X4 Malfunction Service Required" message is present, GO to N7 If the "4X4 Temporarily Disabled" or "4X4 Off" message is present, GO to N3 No GO to N10 - N3 CHECK FOR RECENT 4WD (FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE) SYSTEM OVERHEAT CONDITION
- Check with customer about recent off-road activity.
Does the customer indicate recent extreme off-road usage?
Yes Switch the engine off for at least 10 minutes. After the engine has been restarted and the 4WD system has adequately cooled, the warning message will turn off and normal 4WD function will return. If concern is still present, GO to N4 No GO to N4 - N4 CHECK TIRE SIZE AND USAGE
- Inspect the tires.
Is a tire an incorrect size or is a mini spare being used?
Yes Tire size should not exceed Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations and all 4 tires should be the same size and brand. INSTALL new tire(s) as necessary. No GO to N5 - N5 CHECK TIRE AIR PRESSURES
- Check the air pressure in all 4 tires.
Are all 4 tires at the recommended air pressure?
Yes GO to N6 No ADJUST tire air pressures to specifications. - N6 CHECK ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) WHEEL SPEEDS
- Enter the following diagnostic mode: ABS Module DataLogger.
- Driving the vehicle at 30 mph (48 km/h), monitor the following wheel speed sensor PIDs:
- Left Front Wheel Speed Sensor (LF_WSPD)
- Left Rear Wheel Speed Sensor (LR_WSPD)
- Right Front Wheel Speed Sensor (RF_WSPD)
- Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor (RR_WSPD)
Are all 4 wheel speeds within 1.2 mph (2 km/h) of each other?
Yes GO to N7 No The ABS module is sending invalid wheel speed data to the PCM. REFER to: Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Stability Control . - N7 CHECK FOR IPC (INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER) DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) S
- Ignition ON.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode: IPC Self-Test.
Are any DTCs present?
Yes If DTC U0102:00 is retrieved, REFER to: Communications Network . For all other DTCs, REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . No GO to N8 - N8 CHECK FOR PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) S
- Ignition ON.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode: PCM Self-Test.
Are DTCs present?
Yes REFER to the DTC Chart: PCM . No GO to N9 - N9 CHECK FOR ATCM (ALL TERRAIN CONTROL MODULE) DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) S
- Ignition ON.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode: ATCM Self-Test.
Are DTCs present?
Yes REFER to the DTC Chart: PCM . No GO to N10 - N10 CHECK FOR STRAIGHTLINE WIND-UP IN 4H MODE
- Drive the vehicle on a dry, hard surface.
Is straightline wind-up present?
Yes GO to Pinpoint Test A No GO to N11 - N11 CHECK WIND-UP IN TURNS IN 4H MODE
- Drive the vehicle in 4H mode while turning.
Is wind-up present in turns?
Yes GO to N11 No GO to Pinpoint Test H - N12 CHECK 4L OPERATION
- Bring the vehicle to a stop with the transmission in NEUTRAL and activate the 4WD Low (4L) Switch.
- Switch the Terrain Management Switch to Rock Mode.
Does the 4X4 LOW (4L) indicator illuminate correctly?
Yes GO to N15 No GO to N13 - N13 CHECK FOR PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) S
- Ignition ON.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode: PCM Self-Test.
Are DTCs present?
Yes REFER to the DTC Chart: PCM . No GO to N14 - N14 CHECK FOR WIND-UP IN 4L
- Drive the vehicle on a dry, hard surface while executing turns.
Is wind-up present in turns?
Yes GO to N15 No GO to Pinpoint Test C - N15 CHECK FOR 4L WIND-UP IN TURNS
- Drive the vehicle on a dry, hard surface while executing turns.
Is wind-up present and 4L functioning?
Yes GO to N16 No CHECK for PCM DTCs. REFER to the DTC Chart: PCM . - N16 CHECK 4L TO 4H SHIFT
- Bring the vehicle to a stop with the transmission in NEUTRAL and deactivate the 4WD Low (4L) Switch.
- With the vehicle at a stop and transmission in NEUTRAL, switch the Terrain Management Switch to Normal Mode.
Does the message center 4WD Low (4L) Lamp turn off?
Yes GO to N19 No GO to N17 - N17 CHECK FOR PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) S
- Select PARK.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode: PCM Self-Test..
Are DTCs retrieved?
Yes REFER to the DTC Chart: PCM . No GO to N18 - N18 CHECK FOR WIND-UP IN NORMAL MODE
- Drive the vehicle on a dry, hard surface while executing turns.
Is wind-up present in turns?
Yes GO to Pinpoint Test C No To diagnose the 4WD indicators do not operate correctly, REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . - N19 CHECK FOR TRANSFER CASE DISENGAGEMENT
- With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. REFER to: Jacking and Lifting .
- Rotate the rear driveshaft while observing the front driveshaft.
Does the front driveshaft rotate?
Yes REFER to: Transfer Case . No GO to Pinpoint Test D