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| 2.3L GTDI AND 3.5L DURATEC WITH ACTIVE GRILLE SHUTTERS – SNAPPING OR POPPING SOUND AFTER START-UP – BUILT ON OR BEFORE 11/24/2015 |
| FORD: | 2016 Explorer |
ISSUE:
Some 2016 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) or 3.5L Duratec engine and built on or before 11/24/2015 may exhibit a snapping or popping sound from the front of the vehicle immediately after engine start-up and may be accompanied by diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P059F.
This may be due to misalignment of the active grille shutters.
ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
- Does the noise come from the cycling of the active grille shutters when the engine is started?
- Yes – proceed to Step 2.
- No – this procedure does not apply. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 100-04.
- Remove the front bumper cover. Refer to WSM, Section 501-19.
- Loosen the bolt at the bottom of the active grille shutter bridge link.
- Position the bottom of the bridge link forward and straight. The silver clip should not be twisted or off angle. Hold it in place while hand tightening the bolt so the joint does not twist or move to the rear of the vehicle. (Figure 1)
Figure 1 – 15-0186- Tighten the bridge link bolt to 1.3 Nm (12 lb-in).
- Reinstall the front bumper cover. Refer to WSM, Section 501-19.
