Leaf On Windshield Shut Me Down

[MJ Heat]

I jumped in my 22 XLT Powerboost last week, put it in reverse & backed out of my parking space, shifted to drive, & the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. The truck applied brakes, Pre-collision alert flashed, then multiple warnings & alerts popped up. A Pre-collision disabled warning, Pro Power disabled warning, Service Engine Soon, & Check Engine Light among others flashed one after the other & the check engine light stayed on.

I decided to power the truck off to see if that had any effect. After I powered back up, everything seemed to be fine for about 1/4 mile, but then it all happened again, with the truck intermittently applying brakes & even more lights, alarms, & notices popping up.

This time, I also got a Ford Pass notification telling me that the truck required immediate service. I pulled the truck over & shut it down again, resigned that my truck was getting ready to get towed to the dealer.

In doing a little research on my phone while sitting there thinking about the situation, I found that a disabled "radar" sensor could possibly cause that condition. I got out & walked around the truck, & saw that all sensors that I could see all over the truck were clear of debris & in good condition. I happened to notice a really small leaf on the top center of the windshield positioned right on the upper edge (there is apparently a sensor there), temporarily stuck there by a little moisture. I pulled the leaf off & hopped back in the truck hoping for the best.

As it turns out, the leaf must have been the problem. 50 miles later the check engine light went off. The truck has delivered the great performance & the same driveability that I have enjoyed since I got it 3 1/2 years & 60k miles ago, over the past week.

I thought that I would post what happened with my truck here, so we can all benefit from my experience. I literally was getting ready to call a tow truck. It would have been pretty frustrating to pay for a tow & the dealership service visit, for them to tell me that it was just a leaf. Or even worse, have the leaf blow off on the way to the dealership, & they tell me that they could find nothing wrong. That would have ruined my confidence in what has been a great truck so far.

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[Rinn69]

That is crazy....but a good thing to know for the rest of us !!

I had an 04 Lightning in Sonic Blue. Went to lunch, then through the car wash, and headed out of town to dry it off. I (of course) turned around to head back into town, and gave it the beans.....1st gear, 2nd gear, then it just bogged down and died. Looked at it, called a tow truck and the boss to let him know the issue. Went to the dealer after work, and apparently, a single mesquite tree leaf got past the air filter and lodged itself on the MAF sensor and caused the shutdown. Stupid leaves !!

 

[parkerdog]

center of the windshield at the top is where the camera is that does a lot of nanny features.

 

[JumboJVT]

Just exactly how is this going to work with a coating of ice and snow? Once again slack jawed in bewilderment.

 

[Retired#One]

Thanks for that tidbit of information.

 

[ak49rzrs]

Just exactly how is this going to work with a coating of ice and snow? Once again slack jawed in bewilderment.

I can't say that's ever caused an issue for me up north, only thing that will pop up is pre-collision is disabled due to obstruction of camera and sensors. which is annoying when it goes in and out of that status.

 

[XLT22]

Just exactly how is this going to work with a coating of ice and snow? Once again slack jawed in bewilderment.

The windshield camera has been in F150s for nearly a decade now. No real issues beyond some of the early models burning up the heating element over the cutout.

 

[JumboJVT]

The windshield camera has been in F150s for nearly a decade now. No real issues beyond some of the early models burning up the heating element over the cutout.

Good to know. But it still seems an answer to a question that doesn't exist in my world. Hell, I don't even the question the camera would answer would be. Leaves, on the other hand, do exist in my world..in teriffic abundance this time of year.

Is it possible to just turn all of it off? I've had a 302A ordered for 7 months, still with no build date. Seriously thinking about cancelling and going with a '26 XL instead. Just have to live without nice seats.

 

[B177y]

I think the leaf is a red herring.

You say you jumped the truck to get out of your parking space, then as you drive away you had the avalanche of errors. A blocked camera or sensor won't trigger a "service engine soon" or "pro power disabled" warning.

I think your 12 volt is dead/dying and the leaf has nothing to do with it. You also say your truck is 3½ years old, that's the magic age for batteries going wonky. Those errors all point to a dead 12 volt.


Edited to add information.

 

[Davexxxx]

I'm not saying it was or wasn't the leaf but I know first hand, that snow will shut off lane centering and if the tailgate camera gets out of proper alignment, the back up warning system, will send a warning and apply the brakes, when in reverse..

A large smashed bug, on one of the sensors, will make things less than ideal as well.

But yeah, too many stories about assorted goofiness, being cured by a stint on the charger.

So, ya gatta check for debris but if its clean, give it a charge and most often, things right themselves.

 

[XLT22]

Good to know. But it still seems an answer to a question that doesn't exist in my world. Hell, I don't even the question the camera would answer would be. Leaves, on the other hand, do exist in my world..in teriffic abundance this time of year.

Is it possible to just turn all of it off? I've had a 302A ordered for 7 months, still with no build date. Seriously thinking about cancelling and going with a '26 XL instead. Just have to live without nice seats.

The lane departure warning/assist and automated emergency braking are done by the camera and have a proven positive effect on safety. No reason to turn it off other than just being stubborn.

The XL would be wired for power seats so you can just pick up and XLT seat and toss on your foam and upholstery and airbag and voila you have a 302a seat minus the heated element of course.

 

[dochawk]

"Leaf On Windshield Shut Me Down" sounds like a maudlin 70s pop song.

However, the description of the failure and recovery of a truck over a little leaf sounds more like a country song!

 

[JumboJVT]

The lane departure warning/assist and automated emergency braking are done by the camera and have a proven positive effect on safety. No reason to turn it off other than just being stubborn.

The XL would be wired for power seats so you can just pick up and XLT seat and toss on your foam and upholstery and airbag and voila you have a 302a seat minus the heated element of course.

Maybe so, but not enough safety improvement to offset the detrimental safety effect of cell phone use in vehicles Unfortunately, safety is only a real concern when someone else can be made responsible for it.

 

[XLT22]

Maybe so, but not enough safety improvement to offset the detrimental safety effect of cell phone use in vehicles Unfortunately, safety is only a real concern when someone else can be made responsible for it.

I mean yes that's been the case for the better part of the last century. Road safety is a collective matter and we all benefit from safer roads even if we don't drive through lower insurance premiums, more availability of healthcare and so on.

 

[MJ Heat]

I think the leaf is a red herring.

You say you jumped the truck to get out of your parking space, then as you drive away you had the avalanche of errors. A blocked camera or sensor won't trigger a "service engine soon" or "pro power disabled" warning.

I think your 12 volt is dead/dying and the leaf has nothing to do with it. You also say your truck is 3½ years old, that's the magic age for batteries going wonky. Those errors all point to a dead 12 volt.


Edited to add information.

It may not have been the leaf that caused my problem. It was the only variable that I know about. Problem has not reoccurred in the last 2 weeks of daily driving.

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