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03-04-2008, 06:27 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Carolina, Aiken
Posts: 170
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I currently tow a Ford Explorer with a Neutral Tow Kit (NTK) installed. Here is my problem. I am on my first long trip where I have towed the Explorer. Every morning when we hook up I have to go through the sequence 4 or 5 times before the idiot light go on and tells me that the NTK is engaged. My concern is that I will soon start having starter problem or worse if I have to start the car 5 times everytime we take off. I have been to 5 Ford dealerships in 3 states and only the very last (Click Ford in Tucson, AZ) was a small measure of help. The 4 previous (Ms, La. & Az) were of no help as they had never dealt with a NTK previously. The techs at Clicks put in a new NTK that resulted in same problem. they were puzzled because their computer said the NTK was engaged even when the idiot light wasn't on. I told them it doesn't matter, if the light isn't on I don't know it is engaged and ready to tow. The only other factor in the equation is the 4 wheel drive. I asked if we need to disengage and then re-engage the 4WD before starting the NTK sequence. They all scratched their head and one tech got in the car and tried my suggestion. Amazingly the NTK worked properly 4 out of 5 tries. I told all of them to get out of the car I was leaving because 4 out of 5 is much better than the 1 out of 5 I was getting previously.
I'm interested in knowing if anyone else is experiencing the same problem and if they have figured out a solution. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.
__________________
Tom and Ellen
2016 Fleetwood Bounder 35K 30th Anniversary Edition
2015 GMAC Acadia
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03-04-2008, 07:06 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 222
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nctom I have a 2007 F-150 Ford with an automatic w 4WD switch on the dash. My owner manual says I have to take the driveshaft off to tow...Now I see you talk about a switch..I wonder if that would work foe me???
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2008 Dutch Star 4354
Full Slide, Bath & 1/2
2008 Jeep 4 Dr Unlimited tow
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03-04-2008, 07:28 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
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I HAVE A FORD SPORT TRAC. THEY PUR THE SWITCH ON MINE 7 MONTHS AGO. HERE IS WHAT I SEE WHEN I DO THIS.
CRANK TRUCK, PUT IN NEUTRAL, HIT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE BUTTON, HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, TURN THE CAR OFF, YOU SHOULD HEAR CLICKS TO SHOW IT IS IN NEUTRAL. RON BREWER
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03-05-2008, 05:07 AM
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#4
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Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
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Vacman, unfortunately, Ford does not have a Neutral Tow Kit for the pickups.
CLICK HERE to go to the Ford website for more info.
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Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP

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03-18-2008, 10:26 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,386
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NCTom
You didn't say if your explorer is 4x4 V-6 or 4x4 V-8. V-6 has different kit # than V-8 according to 2007 Dinghy Towing Guide.
Instructions I got for the 07 Explorer Sport Trac 4wd V-6 with kit #1L2Z-7H332-AB (which is the same for Explorer 4x4 V-6) are
1. Vehicle in 4x4 Auto
2. AT in neutral
3. Ignition in "ACC" (steering wheel unlocked)
[MY NOTE: label shows "off" position but this has to be an error because on sport trac "off" is same as "lock" thus it will lock the steering wheel}
4. Neutral Tow light goes thru bulb check and turns off
5. Depress brake pedal and press 4x4 auto pushbutton; hold both for 5 seconds
6. Neutral Tow Light will flash; then stay on to indicate transfer case is in neutral
7. Leave switch in ACC position and transmission in neutral while towing
After closing the door and expecting to look in the window to verify it was still working, I also found out that after a minute or so the Neutral Tow Light goes off, apparently to conserve the battery, but it is still. I verified this with Ford.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Bob Russo
Formerly had 07 Neptune 36PDQ, ISB 325, Allison 2500, Source Trailing Arms and Ride Enhancement Kit, Demco KarKaddy 460SS.
Currently no Motorhome
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03-18-2008, 06:59 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Navarre, Ohio
Posts: 262
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Tom,
We tow 1999 Ford Explorer V6 4WD Eddie Bauer with the Neutral Tow Kit installed that we have towed since 2002 with no problems other than once the LED light under the dash burnt out.
The sequence we follow is:
Have the engine running, place gearshift in neutral with foot on brake. Shut off ignition switch to first off/acc. position while holding foot on brake. Keep foot on brake until the light under the dash flashes three times and then stays on solid. After that remove foot from brake and it is ready to tow.
We have only had a couple of times that we had it fail to light up the light and had to do the sequence a second time. Both times the wife believes she removed her foot from the brake too soon. Sometimes it does take longer than others depending on the temperature of the fluid.
Ron
__________________
Gulf Stream RV Owners Forum www.gsowners.com
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03-19-2008, 05:12 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Home on the hill in Georgia
Posts: 2,742
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Mine on a 2006 Explorer works exactly like Bob Russo stated except my light does stay on all the time. I like to look in at rest areas to see it. Been thinking of a way to run an indicator light into the MH cab. Any suggestions?
__________________
Jerry Potter, Taz
1999 Coachman Catalina Sport
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-27-2008, 06:59 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 174
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I just had the NTK installed on my 2007 Explorer V8 yesterday. I have attempted the instuctions but have yet to see the NTK light come on at all. The dealer admits that they do not install many of these kits and it did take all day yesterday to do it. Should I tow the vehicle even if I go through the sequence steps and do not see that the NTK light on?
__________________
2008 Monaco Monarch 34SBD Ford F 53 Chassis
2007 Ford Explorer V8 Towed
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03-27-2008, 08:01 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,386
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First of all welcome to irv2. Glad to have you join us.
As to your question, if it were me, I would not tow unless that light came on. I would make the assumption that it is not installed correctly and have that dealer or another one make sure it is working as it is supposed to. If you did tow as is and something went wrong Ford may not cover the damage.
Are they sure they connected it to a circuit that has power when the key is in the "tow" position?
__________________
Bob Russo
Formerly had 07 Neptune 36PDQ, ISB 325, Allison 2500, Source Trailing Arms and Ride Enhancement Kit, Demco KarKaddy 460SS.
Currently no Motorhome
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03-27-2008, 10:57 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 174
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Thanks for the prompt reply. I am scheduled to see the dealer in the morning to verify the NTK was installed correctly. Is their a software download required? And, will the park brake being engaged prevent the NTK from engaging properly?
Thanks
__________________
2008 Monaco Monarch 34SBD Ford F 53 Chassis
2007 Ford Explorer V8 Towed
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03-27-2008, 12:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,386
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Quote:
Is their a software download required?
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If you mean did they hook the vehicle up to a computer to install, I don't think so. However, my understanding is that it is a computer function that "puts" the transfer in neutral since there is no manual way to do it. The light is what confirms that it has been done.
Quote:
will the park brake being engaged prevent the NTK from engaging properly?
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I highly doubt it.
Hope the fix is simple. Let us know how you make out.
__________________
Bob Russo
Formerly had 07 Neptune 36PDQ, ISB 325, Allison 2500, Source Trailing Arms and Ride Enhancement Kit, Demco KarKaddy 460SS.
Currently no Motorhome
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03-27-2008, 04:29 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,168
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I have a 2007 Explorer V-8 4X4 with the kit and so far it's worked like a champ. I don't always start the engine when I engage the system, I only turn the key to the on position and put the truck in neutral, turn the key to the off position (light flashes then goes out) steering wheel still unlock, then I push and hold the 4X4 auto switch for about 5 seconds until the light comes back on. System is now engaged. The light will go out after a couple of minutes, but will come back on when you open the car door.
So far no problems with it and I've been using it for almost a year now.
__________________
Charles and Martha*2008 Monaco Signature FMCA #F388752*GoodSam Life Member 2007 Ford Explorer - Toad
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03-28-2008, 05:05 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Home on the hill in Georgia
Posts: 2,742
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The neutral tow kit is nothing more than an indicator light and a set of instructions for use. The vehicle computer must be reprogrammed to do the required transmission and transfer case switching. These vehicles with electronic 4X4 shifting does not use mechanical shifting like older models. If the technicians didn't reprogram the computer, DO NOT TOW IF THE LIGHT IS NOT ON, terrible damage could be done. I would have the dealer call costomer service at Ford to find out how to do it.
__________________
Jerry Potter, Taz
1999 Coachman Catalina Sport
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-28-2008, 07:35 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 174
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I just came from the dealership. They told me that their was NOT a computer download. The NTK was an indicator light and a new wiring harness that installed on the transfer case. I questioned the computer download to the service advisor and he said the instructions provided from the part provider did not mention a computer download. Bob posted a repsonse yesterday wondering if the light was plugged to an appropriate power source. I looked under the dash, the light has a plug that appears to be attached to an existing pig-tale in the existing wiring harness.
__________________
2008 Monaco Monarch 34SBD Ford F 53 Chassis
2007 Ford Explorer V8 Towed
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