Causes of the Ford Active Grille Shutter Problems

In the world of automotive design it’s all about making the latest model better than the one before which can mean seemingly insignificant improvements year after year. It is this thinking that leads to the creation of things like the Ford Active Grille Shutter.

This subtle little system does more than you might think and just like any car component it can suffer from problems. In this post we will learn more about how this system works and what problems can affect it.

What Are Ford Active Grille Shutters?

Ford Active Grille Shutters are an innovative system that allows the grill to open and close automatically. The intent for when the grill is closed is to increase aerodynamics of the vehicle and reduce drag. The system is also designed so as to still allow normal air cooling of the engine even when the shutters are closed.

Some may ask if such a feature is really necessary. Well, obviously with regards to the function of the vehicle no, this system is very much non essential. However, this does not make it useless because there are some benefits to the shutter system.

It does have a small effect on reducing drag which can save a small amount of fuel which is never a bad thing, right? It also can help you to warm up your engine more quickly especially on colder days. With the shutters closed the engine's warmth stays in the bay for longer. It also stops the engine from getting cold when parked in the deep of a cold winter.

So it’s not an important piece of tech but it’s a handy one and if it is not working that can be a pain.

How Does the Active Grille Shutter Work?

When the engine temperature is starting to get high the shutters in the front grill of the vehicle will open up to allow the air to flow in and through the radiator. This will help to cool the engine as is part of normal operation.

Once the engine is cooled the shutters close again forcing the air to go around the vehicle and reducing the drag effect. This means the car does have to work as hard to move forward and expends less fuel.

If the shutter were to get stuck in the closed position this would prevent air getting to the radiator and could lead to engine overheating issues. If the shutters are stuck open then the engine will be cooled but the fuel saving benefits are lost. It is important then if your Ford has this system that it works properly.

Ford Active Grille Shutter Problems

There are a few main problems that can affect this system as well as some smaller ones but we will focus on the most common ones for this post.

The Ford Active Grille Shutter is a subtle component found in a number of models and the signs that it is not working are not always obvious. As a driver we physically cannot see the grille so have no idea if the shutters are open or closed.

If the shutter is stuck open we would have to be very in tuned to our fuel consumption to note the difference between how much fuel we use when the shutters are closed or opened. There is however an obvious sign of the shutters being stuck closed in the form of high engine temperature.

There are other potential issues that cause engine overheating that we may suspect before the grille shutters but perhaps it might be wise to think of this first. If the engine is running hot but upon inspection the shutters are closed then this may be the issue.

The differences between fuel consumption and the effects of drag are so subtle that most people will not notice these as symptoms of a malfunctioning grille shutter.

Powertrain Control Module Connection Lost

One big reason for the shutters to stop working is a lack of connection with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This computer uses the input from various sensors to help the vehicle run as efficiently as possible.

If the connection between the PCM and the grille shutters does not work then high engine temperature indications will not cause the shutters to open. This may be caused by a simple fault code blocking the signal rather than something that needs to be fixed.

This is something you can try and fix yourself if you have some technical acumen and access to a OBD II adapter or scanning tool. The instructions below should help you deal with a faulty error code.

• Turn on your engine and set it to idle
• Connect the OBD II adapter to your vehicle (locate the plug using your user manual) and then to either your phone or laptop
• Open up the FORScan app and allow it to load up. You will be presented with all the active error codes related to the vehicle which hopefully will consist of the shutter issue
• Choose the fault code in question, click it and then choose reset. This will take a few seconds
• You will now be prompted to turn off the vehicle and start it back up

Test out the vehicle to see if the shutters will now open and close. If this has not worked there may be an actual fixable issue instead.

Fuse Problems

The shutters are stuck closed and the engine is getting too hot, clearly something isn’t right. Well as this is a simple electronic device the obvious assumption may be something along the lines of fuse issues.

Fuses are one of those things that over time can wear out and require replacement. Once they blow then the circuit can no longer function and subsequently the component powered by circuit will not operate either.

You will need to make sure you have the right kind of fuse to install the replacement as these can vary depending on the model of vehicle you are working with. This should be easily found in the user's manual.

The process for changing the fuse is simple enough that many people can do it themselves although if you have any concerns you can always get help from a professional.

• Open the hood of your vehicle and locate the fuse box
• Take off the fuse box cover and locate the fuse that connects to the Active Grille Shutters
• Using needle nose pliers extract the burned out fuse (the fuse may be broken so the pliers protect your fingers from damage)
• Attach the fuse into the space left by the old one
• Close the fuse box back up and close the lid
• Finally using a scanning tool reset the error code as described earlier in the article

The Grille Shutters Are Not Aligned

The problem may be as simple as the shutters being physically misaligned or even blocked with debris. The shutters can not open and close smoothly if there is something holding them in place. You might need to examine the shutters for problems.

You can locate the shutters in the front grille of your vehicle and remove the protective cover to search for debris or signs that things are not aligned correctly. It may be wise to consult a YouTube video to help you do this.

Once you ascertain that everything that needs to be tight is tight and all things that should be loose are in fact loose you may have solved the issue.

Conclusion

Ford Active Grille Shutters are interesting additions to the vehicle that can help with engine heating management and reducing fuel consumption. When they are not working properly there can be issues but generally speaking the cause is usually easy to fix.

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