What Is Service AdvanceTrac? (Meaning and How to Reset)
While RV makers tout that their models contain the most advanced technology possible, it is not always a good thing. Sometimes the technology is so advanced no one knows how to fix the problem. This is the case with Advance Trac systems in some RVs built in recent years.
This is called Ford’s proprietary version of the Electronic Stability Control or ESC for short. It is designed to prevent skids during extreme traffic or driving situations by minimizing the risk of an accident. Sounds good if it works right.
To learn more about this advanced technological system just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you know what to do when you see this warning light appear on the dash of your Ford RV, etc.
Service AdvanceTrac 101
What Does it Mean When it Says Service AdvanceTrac?
This Advance Trac system is very complex and not something you can really work on yourself. The system employs a variety of sensors to monitors wheel speed as well as vehicle stability.
This is a single integrated system combining different features into one overall safety system. It is difficult to explain all the features and safety protocols this system goes through in an emergency situation.
When the service AdvanceTrac light appears on your dash it is telling you that there is a problem with a sensor or another part of the system. The sources for those problems include but are not limited to:
- faulty wheel speed sensor
- faulty rotational speed sensor
- faulty steering angle sensor
- compromised steering system components
- damaged sensor wiring
- system programming issues
The good news is that even if this light appears, the only thing that is really affected is the system itself. You can drive normally and be at no more risk than any vehicle without this system built into their chassis or engine.
How To Reset Service AdvanceTrac
You can’t do it. This is one of the problems with modern technology, it has taken the home mechanic out of the equation. Then put most vehicles into the hands of expensive professional technicians.
While some Ford RV owners have experienced this problem, they have said that they just shut their vehicle down at the next rest stop for a while. When they started up again, the light was gone.
Whether this does reset the system or not remains to be seen. Many RV owners reported not having this trouble again after doing that. However, according to our researcher, to properly reset this device, you need a special scanning tool and a trained eye.
That means you need to visit your nearest Ford dealer to handle the resetting action. You can inspect the sensors and their wiring harnesses if you want, but the best you can do is spot frayed or loose wires, etc. Fixing the issue is another matter.
You still will be able to drive normally when the service Advance Trac warning light appears, but you may or may not have cruise control when it does.
Can I Drive With Service AdvanceTrac?
Yes, and as we just said, many RV owners with this system installed in their vehicles have been able to drive. Some people have experienced a loss of cruise control when the light initially appears. But when they reach the next rest stop and shut down for a bit, the cruise control comes back, and often the light is gone.
Some drivers have had handling problems when the light first appears as well. But those handling problems also disappeared the next time they drove their RV or vehicle.
According to our research, when this system has a problem, it does not affect any real driving ability your vehicle has. The problems are usually found in the sensors which operate the different safety devices.
Even if the system shuts down, you can still stop, accelerate, turn and slow down without any real hassle. In other words, the system is designed to be an added safety feature, not something that controls your vehicle or takes control of the vehicle overriding your driving abilities.
Service AdvanceTrac And Abs Light On
These lights are warning you of a wheel or speed sensor failure. Both sensors contribute to the Advance Trac and ABS systems on your vehicle and when one of them goes down, those warning lights will appear.
When they appear, the system will create a code and store it in the ECU. This is where it gets tricky as you cannot read the codes yourself. You would need to get the ABS system tested for codes and see what the trouble is.
Only a professional mechanic with this equipment can do this work for you. Once they find the code and see what the source of the problem is, then they can fix the problem.
While you can drive with both lights on, you should get your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. That way the mechanic can fix the problem and get your system up and running again.
Service AdvanceTrac After Battery Change
When you change your battery due to the first one running out of power, you can still use your vehicle. If your dealer or qualified mechanic is close by, you can drive your vehicle to them. However, you would be doing that feat without the benefit of power steering.
When a battery dies, the circuit boards can fail and you would have to reset them first before driving to your dealer or mechanic. To do that you have to remove both battery cables from the battery and hold them together for one minute.
Then keeping them separated, lay the cables down without hooking them up. Leave them like that for 15 minutes. After that time has expired, you can reconnect the cables to the battery. All circuit boards should be reset and your car drivable again.
If this does not reset the system, then you will need to go to your mechanic, etc., and have them use their scan tool to find the code and the source of the problem.
Service AdvanceTrac And Check Engine Light
It is impossible to give a very specific answer here as there are about 600 codes that may be the source of the problem. The problem will depend on the reason why the check engine light went on in the first place.
One possible source would be a blown fuse. Replacing that will turn the AdvanceTrac light off but it does not provide the reason why the fuse blew in the first place. More work would need to be done to diagnose the source for the blown fuse.
To do that, all the codes need to be cleared, and then look at the ones that return. This may take some time and can be very expensive if you go to a dealer to have the problem taken care of.
Sometimes the solution is just to clear all the codes. but it all depends. it is hard to say without being able to look at actual codes. You can clear all codes by disconnecting the negative battery cable for 10 minutes.
If any lights or warnings return, then there is a bigger issue that needs to be tracked down.
Service AdvanceTrac Car Won't Start
For once, this may not be an AdvanceTrac sourced problem. In one case, this may be a global electrical problem that is unrelated to the Advanced Trac warning light you may see illuminated.
The solution to this problem is to tell your emergency car service no start diagnostic and the mechanic should know what they need to do. The problem could be in the starter or it could be in the battery.
If the car cuts off by itself, that may mean that there is a voltage problem and the source may be in the battery. If the battery is full of power, then it may simply be a bad connection somewhere.
The negative battery cable may come loose at the body or the frame. That is normal due to the vibrations given off by the motor. Check your connections to make sure everything is tight and no corrosion is hampering voltage delivery.
Then if you still can’t find the problem, call your mechanic to check it out.
Some Final Words
Advance technology is supposed to be a good thing. However, when those modern technological parts break down, they are not so good anymore. Plus, they can cause you a lot of frustration because they take special tools and training to fix.
For some AdvanceTrac issues, you can just simply keep on driving. You won't have the protection of the system helping you avoid skids but at least you can get to your next destination on time.
Other times, you can just take a short break, shut the engine down for a few minutes and the problem clears up.
