Car died at stoplight - Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power Error

[CUBuffs116]

Hoping someone here may have an idea of what’s happening with my Bronco. Earlier this month when my wife was driving home from work, the screen said Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power. Then said shutting down to save power. The car still drove and she made it home, but I received 3 alerts of the issue through the ford pass app. It didn’t happen again for a couple weeks until this past week we were at a stop light and when it turned green, I took my foot off the break and the same errors popped up, but this time the engine completely shut off.

Around the same time the engine started a loud click when starting cold. It only lasts maybe 3 seconds, but definitely does not sound right.

I took it to the dealer this week and they were not able to reproduce it. There are no check engine lights or error codes stored either so they said they can’t do anything about it and to call when it happens again. They said they did not hear the clicking when starting even though it sat out there over night and when I picked it up it did it so - pretty annoying.

Anyways, I’m hoping someone on here might have some ideas since ford service was no help. This is my wife’s car and I don’t want her to get stranded from it.


2022 Wildtrak 4D 2.7

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[popo_patty]

Looks like it all started with low window washer fluid… haha jk, That sucks but I’d take it back, show them this video and those notifications and make them keep it till they diagnose it.

 

[CUBuffs116]

Looks like it all started with low window washer fluid… haha jk, That sucks but I’d take it back, show them this video and those notifications and make them keep it till they diagnose it.

Haha you are probably right about that

I did show them both the video and the notifications. They were quite unhelpful and really didn’t do anything. Other than try to read the error codes which there were none.

 

[CitrusBronco]

This might be another case of loose connections.
Have you checked the battery connections to ensure they are tight, the grounds and the fuse box bolt/ground and fuses in the box are all pushed down tight.
Have the battery load tested.

Many people have had issues similar to this and they were weak battery or loose connections.

 

[CUBuffs116]

This might be another case of loose connections.
Have you checked the battery connections to ensure they are tight, the grounds and the fuse box bolt/ground and fuses in the box are all pushed down tight.
Have the battery load tested.

Many people have had issues similar to this and they were weak battery or loose connections.

I read the same thing on here when looking for some answers and looked over the connections, but I will double check tonight to make sure. That’s what I was hoping it would be because that’s a pretty simple fix.

 

[CitrusBronco]

See if your local auto parts shop can load test your battery, several issues were resolved with a new battery. Seems these electronic heavy vehicles have higher needs than cars of yesterday. If the battery is getting weak a simple voltage check with a meter won’t show that.
Best of luck since your dealer seems to suck.
I fear the day I ever have to go to the dealer for any repairs. I’ll do my best to fix myself.

 

[Ducati1098]

The loud rattling on cold start is cam phasers. Very common issue.

As far as the powertrain malfunction message, it should’ve stored some kind of DTC for it.
Send me your VIN and I can check VHR

 

[CUBuffs116]

The loud rattling on cold start is cam phasers. Very common issue.

As far as the powertrain malfunction message, it should’ve stored some kind of DTC for it.
Send me your VIN and I can check VHR

I thought that’s what I was most likely, but they brushed it off and did not seem interested in doing anything about it. Looks like I will be taking it to another dealer.

I’ll PM you my vin

 

[CUBuffs116]

Just got the battery load tested and they said it looked like it was in great shape. Checked all the fuses and battery terminal connections and they seem to be fine.

 

[Ducati1098]

I thought that’s what I was most likely, but they brushed it off and did not seem interested in doing anything about it. Looks like I will be taking it to another dealer.

I’ll PM you my vin

Yeah I would definitely recommend bringing it to a different dealer. There's a whole list of DTCs set on multiple days. A lot of which have to do with battery voltage and there's also a TSB related to one of the codes. So I'm guessing they just didn't feel like trying to diagnose it.

 

[CitrusBronco]

I’m interested in what Ducati finds in the VHR.
I’ve read and seen videos of the cam phaser knock but not with the with the other issues you reported.
I’m genuinely interested to see where this ends up.
Edit- well there is the report. Could this be the regulator or alternator?
Looks like they have some test to perform to find the fault.

 

[Ducati1098]

I’m interested in what Ducati finds in the VHR.
I’ve read and seen videos of the cam phaser knock but not with the with the other issues you reported.
I’m genuinely interested to see where this ends up.

I think it’s just 2 separate issues. Phaser rattle very very rarely causes any check engine light or driveability issue.

 

[CitrusBronco]

I think it’s just 2 separate issues. Phaser rattle very very rarely causes any check engine light or driveability issue.

Thanks for the confirmation.
Ford needs to pay you for providing us such a great service. If not for you we would be in the dark on so many issues.

 

[CUBuffs116]

Yeah I would definitely recommend bringing it to a different dealer. There's a whole list of DTCs set on multiple days. A lot of which have to do with battery voltage and there's also a TSB related to one of the codes. So I'm guessing they just didn't feel like trying to diagnose it.

Thank you for this! Looks like I’ll be searching around for a new dealer. Amazing how you found this without even looking at the vehicle and they had it for days..

 

[BigBlueBronc]

Hoping someone here may have an idea of what’s happening with my Bronco. Earlier this month when my wife was driving home from work, the screen said Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power. Then said shutting down to save power. The car still drove and she made it home, but I received 3 alerts of the issue through the ford pass app. It didn’t happen again for a couple weeks until this past week we were at a stop light and when it turned green, I took my foot off the break and the same errors popped up, but this time the engine completely shut off.

Around the same time the engine started a loud click when starting cold. It only lasts maybe 3 seconds, but definitely does not sound right.

I took it to the dealer this week and they were not able to reproduce it. There are no check engine lights or error codes stored either so they said they can’t do anything about it and to call when it happens again. They said they did not hear the clicking when starting even though it sat out there over night and when I picked it up it did it so - pretty annoying.

Anyways, I’m hoping someone on here might have some ideas since ford service was no help. This is my wife’s car and I don’t want her to get stranded from it.


2022 Wildtrak 4D 2.7

Does she do a lot of city driving with it ? Does the auto stsrt stop function at red lights ? If not may be indicative of a battery problem. I noticed in the winter my Bronco stop start does not seem to engage. I have not had your problem yet as I only have 6900 Kms on my 2023 Limited. Just a thought to help narrow down your issue. Dealers do appear to be clueless and there seems to be a shortage of good mechanics everywhere. Ford engineering may need to get involved. Call Ford directlt if it continues and check lemon laws.

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