A powertrain or all wheel drive/four wheel drive fault has been detected

[scott011422]

Went to leave Sunday for a 3 day vacation and my truck started up with a service engine soon light. I'm currently without my Forscan, But still have a generic Bluepoint OBDII reader. No codes at all. No messages on the ford app. Oil life has 97% remaining and all my tires were 35+ psi. Took a quick drive and everything seemed fine so we left. Vacation is 3 hours each way. Halfway to our destination we stopped for lunch. When we got out I did receive a Ford Pass message for "A powertrain or all wheel drive/four wheel drive fault has been detected". I did use 4A to back into my driveway the night before we left with no issues. Leaving lunch I did 4H, 4A, 2H. Did each mode for a block. Then did the loop again. Everything worked as expected. Light stayed on.

Just got back from vacation with no issues, but still have an active service engine soon and no codes on the OBDII.

Anyone have any thoughts?

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[jkosh22]

What scan tool are you using?

 

[scott011422]

Just a generic Bluepoint (Snapon) OBDII reader

 

[jkosh22]

Most generic scan tools will not read anything past the PCM due to communications within all the modules. Unfortunately you’ll need a more capable scan tool. If you’re close to an autozone or perilous they scan for free. I’m not sure of what caliber their scan tool is but it’s worth a shot. But they wont/can’t clear it.

 

[scott011422]

Good to know, Wasn't aware of that. My Mechanic buddy has my Forscan. Also has a high end scanner. I should have him scan it, And get back my OBDLink while im there. Lol.

 

[jkosh22]

Yeah good idea! It always seems to happen when we are not prepared.

 

[scott011422]

Whats funny is I never take a trip without my OBDLink and laptop. My truck is always super dependable, Just like to be prepared and only depend on myself. Was thinking on Saturday I should go get the OBDLink, But nope, Never had any trouble, It will be fine!!! lol!!!

 

[jkosh22]

Same here! I always have a jack, impact and sockets and scan tool for trips, never had a flat tire or blowout or any sort of malfunction lights. I hope it stays that way!

 

[datorres]

This is the generic error that has come up for several of us that have had issues with the gearshift module (GSM). That’s usually the first symptom on a GSM with issues.

 

[mostater]

I have had this message. Asked the dealer to look at it but they said they couldn't find any codes so nothing was done to address it. I suspect it is the GSM and even suggested that but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Haven't had the message since but only has been a couple months.

 

[bkohn2]

Mine did the same recently. I did have a code with FORScan and a message in the Ford app tho. Try folding the shifter down when the light is on. Mine would not fold. It was the gear shift module. No problems since it was replaced.

 

[scott011422]

Thats interesting. I did fold the shifter down to vacuum the night before we left.

 

[datorres]

If you get the error again I would reference the dealer to this TSB. The first two times mine did that there were no codes. The third time I came to a stop as a I exited the freeway and the truck applied the parking brake, would not shift out of drive and I was stuck. Had to have it towed to the Ford dealership and they finally replaced the GSM. No problems since.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11014430-0001.pdf

 

[SPFD53]

Mine did the same thing last night. After a snowstorm in southern Maine, I went to park my truck at the store, after using the slippery/snow mode with 4A active on the highway (35-40mph) because to road conditions did not allow me to go faster safely. The truck showed the powertrain or All Wheel Drive fault. I turned the mode to normal, and the message disappeared. A minute later received the same message on the Ford app. Drove the truck back home in slippery mode, and the message didn't pop back again.... I'll keep an eye on it, because I know going to the Ford dealership to get it checked is going to be a huge waste of time.

 

[datorres]

My guess is a communications error or position sensor in the GSM that temporarily looses connection causing the truck not to know what position the shifter is in and this throws the error. If the error occurs long enough the truck applies the parking brake to prevent you from driving it and damaging the transmission since the truck doesn't know what position the gear shifter is in. If you search GSM on this forum there are a few detailed threads about it. Wouldn't surprise me if this turns into a recall. I will say that after the GSM was changed the new shifter had a much tighter feel when shifting, less slop in the movement between positions.

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