I have a 2004 Freestar and it is showing the "trac off" indicator always ON in the panel. I have already taken it with the local dealer three times and the haven't been able to fix it.
The first time it took them a couple of days to determine that the ABS module was damaged. I'm not sure what that is, but they ordered it and it took 3 weeks to arrive. They changed it and it worked fine for a couple of weeks, then it went ON again. I took it to the dealers and it took them 2 more days to tell me that they still don't know what the problem is and they needed more time. I had to take it again and still no response.
I have the idea that these guys are clueless and they need professional help (they are suppossed to be professional though).
The Advance Trac system can be disable manually with a button on the panel, but it doesn't respond to it, it is just always "trac off" ON.
I wonder if somebody else has seen this problem and could give us a hint.
Thanks!

Suspect elec. problem causing ABS module going bad. sorry not much help, sound like a fun one to T/S [sm=interesting.gif]

This problem has become a nightmare. Even that the mini van can work and I can't really tell if this feature works or not, the indicator is always ON, which tells that the AdvanceTrac system will not go ON when needed.

The van has visited two different dealers and has spent so many weeks that I don't recall how many. They changed the ABS module and a switch and still doesn't work. I took it home, because I need it. I'll have to insist until next year, but now I don't know if they'll be able to solve it.

I guess nobody in this forum has seen this problem. I hope it'll ever gets solved.
Regards.

If the best Techs at your dealership can't get it figured out, they have the ability to call in a True Ford "Engineer". I had the luck of working with them in the past and they know their ****. Tell your service writer during you're next visit that you want an engineer to look at it. It will take more down-time, but it will at last be fixed. Ford trained Techs are good, but time to time, they need a bit of help from the designers.

Hi, I am having simular problems... just wondering if you ever found out what the problem was. I am on month three and on to the trird dealership with no help.

I'm still having the problem. It's been more that 7 months now. The van has been with 3 different dealers and they can't fix it. I don't know what to do now. They are waiting for the engineer to come and look at it but this person visits the dealer not so often as I can see.

My 2006 Freestar: I also had the warning light flashing and the car would not accelerate past 30 mph - it was stumbling and stuttering the whole time while accelerating. I turned off the AdvanceTrac and it was fine. When I drove it a few hours later, no problems. I am bringing it to the dealer tomorrow.

I am also having a whining or bearing noise that is new. I really like this van and hope it doesn't turn out to be a total piece of crap.

I'm reading with interest the problems of the Advance Trac system you all have discribed and I'm now puzzled. I just bought a new 2006 Freestar and am new to this forum. The dealer who sold me the Freestar tells me that the Advanced Trac system should normally be in the "OFF" position and only turned to "ON" when driving in poor traction conditions such as slippery snow, loose gravel, mud, or anytime there may be a compromise in traction. I get the impression that you folks are driving with the Advance Trac system "ON" all the time. Was I given bad info by my sales person? I'm also puzzled by the "warning light" you all described. At least on the 2006 Freestar the only light I know for the Advance Trac system is when the system is in the "ON" position, I get the small light that remains "ON" on the instrument panel to show the system is turned "ON" and working. If the system were to fail, the light on the instrument panel will not come "ON" with the switch in the "ON" position. I guess I need to study the owners manual more to understand this system. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated while I read the manual again! Thank you.

Tom

2006 Freestar Limited

Try checking the ABS wheel sensors, sometimes they get full of crud and block the magnet. Has your dealer checked the wheel sensor?

i just purchased a ford freestar brand new on may 12 2006 i have had nothing but trouble with the advance trek my car takes control won't let me brake or anything it has been to two differant dealerships the ford engineers looked at it no one can say what is wrong the van has caused me to almost get into 2 accidents with my kids in the car and i just got it back on thursday and is now doing the same thing again on sunday it only has 800 miles on it

Hmmm............

This ABS module is supposed to be calibrated after being replaced. Maybe the tech was unaware of this. If it worked ok, then quit, that tells me the new module failed due to improper installation or not calibrating the module after replacement.

TSB
04-12-5

I found this site while trying to figure out what is wrong with my 2004 Freestar trac system (since the dealer can't.) It has been a nightmare. Last year at this time, the light went on and after three months and multiple trips to the dealer's, they still had no idea. They just kept calling me saying the problem was fixed, I would get the van, drive home and the light would reappear.

Finally, after many weeks and much inconvenience, the last time they gave the van back the light stayed off completely. That was until a few days ago. Once again, after about ten minutes of driving, “Trac Off" reappears.

What gives?

We seldom drive the van. So I don't think that this problem is caused by wear and tear.

I feel like I am back to square one again.

It’s very disappointing, this was my first new car and I really liked it when we looked at it. But now I feel like it is just one problem after another even compared to my old used cars!

Well our new 2006 Limited Freestar has about 1800 miles on it and my wife who drives it said the car went crazy on her when she was driving. I quickly determined that our Advance Trac was in fact causing uncommanded braking on dry pavement while driving straight down the road at modest speeds! We had to turn the system off using the dash switch just to drive the vehicle! Needless to say it went to the dealer for repair under warranty.

The explaination I received from the service manager now that the car is fixed is that there is a "service bulletin" on the advance trac system (ours is a very early 2006 build) and required a part replacement but was not told any details. The car now works perfect but I suspect many advance tracs out there will need this service bulletin done if this is a common enough problem for Ford to put out a service bulletin! If you suspect ANY problem with your advance trac systems make sure they fix it per the service bulletin(s) while under warranty! Best wishes.

Tom KN6VV

I purchased my 06 the 1st of Feb 2006. I have had no problems and am at about 13000 miles, of which 25% or more has been towing a Jayco P/U weighing in around 1600lbs. Somethings to be aware of:
1. With the advance trac engaged (normal operatation) your sensatrac is also engaged. If you throw the vehical in to a hard turn IE break the rear loose, the system will engage the breaks to the rear wheel to stop the vehical from going into a slide.
2.If you go into a corner to fast and push the nose out (ie wet road) the front brake will engage to maintain course.
3. If you are at higher speeds (above 10 or 20 mph) and the trires start to slip (like in heavy rain) and you are trying to accelerate you will feel as if the engine has lost power or not firing right (really weird feeling, had it happen towing the trailer in a down pour)
4.If you take off in the wet from stop and loose traction you will feel the engine/front end kick almost like a miss fire (particularly bad when it does it from side to side) as the brakes are applied to transfer power from one wheel to the other (snow dirving will realy show this one)
5.Last the vehical also has panic assist braking, it seems that if you are quick on the brake (and not appling hard pressure) the system engages and applies the panic assist, which with moderate pressure can lock up tires and engage ABS

2004 Freestar with problems with Advance Trac also. Have had into dealer 3 times and they keep telling me it is functioning normally as it should. My owner's manual says that if the trac off light comes on, there is a problem in the system. Even though the light was not on when they checked it, they said they checked the codes and nothing showed wrong. When it first started happening it was only during heavy snowfall or rainfall on roads. They said it is normal for it to go off during these extreme conditions as I would want to have control myself then????Make any sense???? Now it happens when just a slight mist in the air, no puddles on roadway or any hazardous driving conditions. I have asked to inspect but since they cannot find codes, or see the light on they will not check sensors, etc. They said bring it back when the light is on...I cannot drop what I am doing when it comes on always just to drive there. Any ideas or remedies anyone has found from their dealer?

T2004, Find a dealer with a knowledgeable mechanic... The Trac off light should never go on by itself. You have to turn the system off. During snow is when you want it on for the traction control. I would contact Ford directly and let them know waht the dealer is saying. Additionally, it sounds as if the is chaffed wire of exposed contact if it is that sensative to moisture.

[X(]Same problem with Advance Trac. Anyone with a fix. Do you suggest getting rid of van?

I have just experienced this problem with my 04 Freestar at 50,000 miles. Started out as only happening every now and then.Now it comes on almost immediately after starting the vehicle (before I get out of the driveway). Dealer stated I had to change the control module first and if that did not solve the problem I would need to replace master control valve (I believe the master brake cylinder). I have not done either to this point.

What I have done is added brake fluid since the level was at MIN in the storage tank. Sinceadding brake fluid the light has not come back on but I have only drove the car twice since for less than 10 miles. Makes some sense since the Trac Control is engaged using the brake system. Seems to simple to be a resolution but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I knew it was too good to be true. Light is back on.

Tell the dealer and Ford about your near misses and take it to the original dealer and ask for a loaner.
Then wait for them to fix the problem.

I had trac system engage after stopping for coffee. I had been driving trhough the rain, however at the time the rain had stopped. I shut it down and restarted and all was fine. However, when I got home I had it checked at dealer and an ABS module had been damaged and was replaced. I am not sure of the exact module, but it had to be due to water intrution and no I did not drive thru an deep water. I was on RT2 driving in to Boston and the Alwife over to Medford.

I had an issue this summer after stopping for coffee while driving in the rain. The trac system engaged and would not allow the van over 20mph. I pulled over and restarted the van, issed cleared. When I returned home, I had the van in for service and mentioned it to my Head Service Rep/Manager. The ABS/trac system was checked anda control module was replaced. I am not positive butwith theeasy at which theyseemed to find the problem and not lights on, I assume there is a TSB on this issue...........

I have an 02 Explorer Ltd.and I am also having reoccuring problems with the Advancetrac. Light stays on and my 4x4 lights flash in the dash. The first time it happended, my battery had died for some reason and as soon as I boosted it, the problem began. I took it into my dealer and told him the problem and how it was obviously due to the battery dying and boost. They spent some time diagnosing and told me that it had nothing to do with it, that there was a pinch in the wiring going to the module! Whatever. They fixed it by straightening out the wire but told me I should replace the whole wiring harness, which I of course did not do. Just last week, I had my car into the dealer to getthe rear applique fixed (don't even get me started on that one!) and the morons left allof the doors open and drained the battery. When I went to pick it up,it wouldn't start. They gave me aboost (it was pouring rain) andthe lights began again.Now they are telling me that it is the module thatneeds replacing. The first time, I begrudgingly paid $300 to diagnose and fix it b/c Idrained the battery and boosted it. Now, they drain the battery and boost it and screw it up again and want me to payto fix it! Not sure if anyone has any ideas on what the problem may be, but hopefullyit helps to add pieces to the puzzle.

This may help somebody with the "TRAC OFF" issue.

Had the pesky "TRAC OFF" issue with my 2004 Freestar any time Iwas moving forward. This would occur as soon as I started moving, 50 feet down the road, 1/2 mile down the road or 10 miles down the road, there was no common denominator. Discovered that the CRUISE Control didn't work when the system turned off the TRAC CONTROL. Well, I put it up on ramps and crawled under the drivers side to the ABS controller bolted to the undercarriage. Took off the plastic cove and saw no visible issue with the unit or connector. Disconnected the positive battery terminal andconnected a jumper wire between the positive connector and the negative terminal to disipatethe voltage in the CPU/modules and system. Then I pulled the connector off from the back of the ABS module. Pins and power connectors has very light oxidation on them. Cleaned the pins and power connectors with Q-Tips and BRAKE-CLEEN (Red can)sprayed onto the Q-Tip. Applied a light coating of dielectrical grease to the connector itself and re-installed the connector. TRAC Control and CRUISE Controlis working as designed at this time.

USC, I posted about a year ago that there is a TSB for water intrusion into ABS/Traction module board. You may way to see if you can check internal components for water damage and silicon it back together.

I went thru almost every connector while I was working on my A/C system. Added dielectrical grease to almost all butt connectors and modules. I have a few more left to get this week-end since Fall is coming and I live in NY's salt belt. The only connector that I saw any type of oxidation was on the ABS pump/controller. This sets directly in-line with the L/F wheel water/crud slinging.

:)

thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. My wife's 2004 Monterey was having the same problem of uncommanded braking on dry pavement. Very intermittent. It might happen three times in one day, then not again for three months. I live in the very dry southwest US. We have a good dealership but they were unable to fix it after several tries.

We brought in print outs from this thread, and they tried cleaning the connectors, and now six months later, it looks like this is all fixed. No more recurrences since then. My wife loves our Monterey. Especially the classy looking grey, black interior.