[ecohell]

Hello everyone. My name is Bill and I live on Long Island, NY. I picked up my new daily on July 6th, named EcoHell. She is a 2018 Explorer Sport, with the 401a package in White Platinum.

My first two mods were Weathertech floor mats and window deflectors. I purchased aftermarket wheels, tires and Livernois Motorsports Level 2 tuning package. Now if you are wondering about the name of my daily, wellll, there is a family of vehicles having "Hell" in their name.

Say hello to MonSoonHell:

And my retirement gift to myself is BloodyHell:

MonSoonHell was a 2012 Audi S4, Prestige, 6spd Manual and highly modified. I sold her in June. BloodyHell is a 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo, 6spd Manual and highly modified.

I am pretty much done with EcoHell, as far as mods. I did purchase another mod which I did not mention..but will when I take pictures of it. I am falling more and more in love with her every time I drive her.

Thanks in advance for looking. Pictures of the Livernois Motorsports products and new wheels and tires below..

 

[ecohell]

I installed the Livernois Motorsports products a couple of weeks ago. Even had her dyno'ed before the parts were installed.

Haven't dyno'ed her after the tune, so stand by for that. I was debating on installing their CAI after reading many threads on CAI's on the Sport. But went ahead and installed it.

The pictures will do the talking....

AFter the install:

 

[ecohell]

Now onto the new wheels. I am a fan of the OEM wheels, just wish they were wider. I chose the Niche Vosso wheels (new for 2018). They look OEM, just better. Specs are 20x10.5, offset 40. Tires are Hankook's 295/45/20s.

The difference an inch and half can make. OEM of course on the right...

EcoHell now looks like this from the rear:

Sick stance being lowered and fatter.

Stay tuned for another mod that was installed.

 

[Grok]

Love it. Great start! How is the handling with the lowering springs, new wheels and tires? Wonder how the OEM mud flaps might enhance the look. Did you need wheel spacers and if so, where did you source them, and what sizes? I bought (3 weeks ago) almost the same vehicle as you except burgandy velvet and prefer the split bench in 2nd row. Also going Livermois package so quite interested in seeing your results.

 

[ecohell]

The ride with the lowering springs, wider wheels and tires are not compromising at all. You can feel the difference in grip. What I am not used to yet, is the size of the Sport with the tune around corners or coming up to a turn (exits mostly). Coming from a modified Audi S4 and Porsche Turbo...it is clearly me and not the vehicle. The tune is impressive and will make you think the Sport is capable of handling better than it was built for...and having installed the Pedal Commander, it just makes the Sport ridiculous.

I am not a fan of the mud flaps, so none for EcoHell. And no on the wheels spacers. Offset of +40 IMO is perfect, however, to match the front, the rears could be +35. And good luck on your new purchase and I definitely recommend LMS on your go fast parts. Make sure you read my thread on their springs (rear camber bolts) and connector with their ATS on their CAI kit.

 

[Aro51]

Ecohell looks great. I also recall seeing your s4 on audizine when I still had my s4.

Would be interested in seeing more pics and a video of the livernois exhaust.


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[Chaplain]

Subscribed. I will be doing most of the same mods on my newly acquired 2017 sport (found one w/only 10k on it). Mine will be more rally inspired vs road racing inspired. I really like your direction but mine NEEDS to be fire road capable.

Any insite on tire/wheel sizes would be well received. I'm probably going to go to a 18" method rally wheel and 265/60 or 285/60 all the way around.

Nice build. Keep posting.

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[ecohell]

Subscribed. I will be doing most of the same mods on my newly acquired 2017 sport (found one w/only 10k on it). Mine will be more rally inspired vs road racing inspired. I really like your direction but mine NEEDS to be fire road capable.

Any insite on tire/wheel sizes would be well received. I'm probably going to go to a 18" method rally wheel and 265/60 or 285/60 all the way around.

Nice build. Keep posting.

Hey Chaplain.. Ahh...I may not be able to assist your modifications regarding suspension modifications or wheel selections based on the direction you wish to go. For the go fast parts, all I can say about the LMS performance package I purchased is I do not regret my purchase. Quality products, tune, and a company that has a great reputation. I can vouch for their customer service as well.

I will be positing more content after I take care of some family business in Florida.

 

[ecohell]

UPDATE: I had a slight vibration coming from the pax front wheel while turning left under acceleration. Given my modifications, I did not want to put her back to stock to bring her back to the dealership. Keep in mind I just flipped 10k. So I am thinking it cannot be anything major.. The OEM axle is $168.xx. So I was thinking it had to be the axle. After removing the axle, there was no wear or tear inside or outside of the original axle..so it did not look like it was the axle that was causing the vibration. Soooo, for those of you thinking of installing the Pedal Commander or another product like it..be warned.. apparently it activates the ABS system causing a vibration when making a left turn. It is not a major vibration, but I could feel it in my seat and right leg. Two techs couldn't feel what I was talking about, but one tech did..it is that light of a vibration. So I have a brand new OEM pax axle installed and a 10k axle for a spare. We found this out during the test drive after the install of the new axle.

 

[lthawk724]

Hello and thanks for the great information. How did they dyno the vehicle with the AWD? Was something done to disable the AWD? Thanks.

 

[ecohell]

Hello and thanks for the great information. How did they dyno the vehicle with the AWD? Was something done to disable the AWD? Thanks.

Sorry I haven't been on in a long while. Not sure why you were asking that question, but then I saw what I posted and noticed the cover of the computer is covering up the front of the dyno machine. The dyno machine is an AWD dyno. My performance shop tunes all types of vehicles, including Porsche's, Audi's, and other AWD vehicles.

 

[robertcladner86]

All vehicles use differentials. These are units with gears, connected to the output shafts that turn the wheels, which let the wheels turn at different speeds. Whenever you turn a corner, the outside wheel has to travel farther than the inside wheel

 

[ecohell]

I posted this in other forums...

Where to begin.. EcoHell has 45494 miles on her. I drove from NY to FL and arrived on Monday (7/12/21) with no issues. I get back in EcoHell on Tuesday around 3pm and the wrench light pops up and when stepping on the gas it felt like it was running on 3 cylinders, until around 2000 rpms and it ran fine. I immediately made a u-turn and returned back to the house. Used my scanner and didn't have any "terrain management system fault" codes. Had an O2 sensor code which I always had, just not enough to set off the Check Engine light (has nothing to do with this particular story, but just mentioning it). When I turn off the engine and open the door, the wrench light will not return unless you start the engine, go forward or reverse and actually press on the gas pedal.

Wednesday - I called the nearest Ford Dealership to setup an appointment. They were very accommodating, since I was visiting from NY. I called AAA to discuss having EcoHell flatbedded to the dealership. Everything is going as planned so far. I then go outside to smoke a cigarette standing next to the driver's side wheel under the carport (not touching or leaning on vehicle). Moments later, I hear a loud clunking noise from the wheel area..and I mean loud enough to assume the exhaust fell off the car. I look under the car and nothing..everything seemed fine.

I start her up and everything appears normal. I back out of the carport and when I press on the gas pedal no wrench light. I back up further pressing the gas and still no light. I stop, go forward pressing on the gas pedal and still no wrench light. I then take a small trip around the neighborhood to see how EcoHell is performing. Keep in mind the speed limit is 20mph so the fastest I could go was around 40mph, before pissing off the neighbors. EcoHell is running like she did before..all is fine.

I am posting this because I never had the wrench light come on. I never had any of my vehicles act like this where it clunked and drives as if nothing happens. What are your experiences with the Terrain Management System Fault - wrench light?

Ok..just know that i did receive responses from others about this, but nothing definitive. The other issue discussed was the weather I was having when the above happened.. it was rainy and the temperature dropped 20 degrees when the clunked occurred.

Sooo.. I am curious how many others had the, "Terrain Management System Fault" issue?


Bill

 

[ecohell]

This is an addition to the previous post.. the wrench light is back.. please read and answer the last questions if you know.. thanks..

Ok... apparently the fix was short lived. It was fine yesterday, however, today it happened again. There is more information to provide.. so for the tech's out there, please read..

A couple of weeks before driving to Florida, I had installed an ICOM radio (ham) in my vehicle. Wired directly from the battery. I am also using the 2nd row inverter to plug in a node for internet usage with my radio. I drove all the way from NY to FL, making a 3 hour stop in GA to see old friends, hitting major rain storms to include a squall in GA...lots of humidity besides the rain/water.

When the wrench light first came on, I emptied my vehicle thinking it was going to Ford, which involved removing the radio and node. When I got in the vehicle yesterday, no wrench light and vehicle drove fine. Today, thinking my vehicle was good, I reinstalled the radio and plugged in the node and when backing out of the driveway, as soon as I gave her gas, the damn wrench light came back on. Going on a hunch it was the radio and node as that was the only thing I did differently, I disconnected them and when I backed out of the driveway, no wrench light.

This was short lived after a 5 mile drive to the Post Office. When I returned to my vehicle, the wrench light came back on.

My question is, could this be a battery issue? I am thinking the modules for the vehicles need a specific voltage to run normally... perhaps my battery needs to be replaced. Is this even remotely possible?

Thanks in advance for any responses that can answer my question(s).
Bill

 

[ecohell]

Ok. I pulled the trigger and purchased and installed a new battery. Did not hook up the ICOM radio, nor the node, not even my phone. I will say, the only extra electronic item powered is a dash cam, front and rear.

Tested the vehicle after the install and BAAAAMMMM... frigging wrench light appeared. Would have been nice if it was the battery, but unfortunately not. I am bringing my vehicle to a shop, instead of Ford and see what they say about it. I know the owners..so definitely trustworthy. Depending on what they say, will determine if they fix it or I bring it to Ford.

I will advise of the findings...

Stay Tuned...

 

[ecohell]

Wednesday - get in EcoHell to drive her to the shop. No wrench light appears. I drive her a little and everything is normal. I drove to a couple of stores and everything is fine.. I drive her to the shop, speak to the owner and he will see if it comes back on. I am getting an oil change as well. I am hoping it really is a low voltage issue..

 

[ecohell]

Shop was not able to get the wrench light to come back on, apparently we both thought the voltage was the issue.

However, later I went to Home Depot and then Publix. After I was done I start EcoHell and the damn wrench light came back. I have other responses from others on different forums and two others said they had the same issue and it was a voltage issue.

Question - how many of you have additional electronic equipment installed in your Explorer, such as CB/HAM radios, dash cam(s), phone plugged in through USB ports, etc.)?

 

[ecohell]

This will be my last post on this issue.. it isn't like anyone is reading nor responding to my posts anyways. Hope this helps someone if this happens to them..

Apparently my issue is fixed. It is clearly a voltage issue. What I did not do after putting the new battery in, was conduct the Battery Reset procedure.

After doing the battery reset, no more Wrench Light/Terrain Management System Fault. I am still going to purchase a higher output alternator, as I would like to have my radio equipment installed. I do not have any electrical accessories plugged in at the moment, except for the USB port for my phone.

I will say this.. the owner's manual to conduct a battery reset is a little ridiculous. If you want a chuckle take a read on page 296 on the left side. If you need to ever reset your battery..read that page, then very quickly put the manual back in the case and throw it back in your glove box and forget about it. Use the following method:

1) hit the start button without stepping on the brake..
2) flash your bright lights 5 times consecutively then quickly;
3) press firmly on your brake pedal 3 times

After this you will see your Battery light flash (I believe is 3 times), then you will see the Check Engine light flash (I believe it is 5-6 times). Then you have to drive the vehicle 12 miles (per Ford) or in my case, let the vehicle sit for 4 days*.

*I doubt it has to be 4 days, I did not need my vehicle those days, that was the only reason why it sat for that long.

Lastly, I will say this.. after doing the search on multiple forums and talking to my shop, if you ONLY have the Wrench light/Terrain Management System fault message come on, it will more and likely be a voltage issue. Others had additional messages and lights come on, which unfortunately will be more than voltage issues.

BTW.. I just purchased and received another mod going on EcoHell. Stay tuned..should be installed this week.

 

[Chaplain]

I had a big 110watt Kenwood vhf, small 55watt kenwood vhf, radar detector and phones in my '17. Never had the wrench light go on. However I was going to replace the altinator with a HO one but never did.

Everything was wired using a Painless external wiring harness.

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[ecohell]

I had a big 110watt Kenwood vhf, small 55watt kenwood vhf, radar detector and phones in my '17. Never had the wrench light go on. However I was going to replace the altinator with a HO one but never did.

Everything was wired using a Painless external wiring harness.

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May I ask how long after you purchased your 2017 (I will assume you had a Sport) that you installed your equipment? In other words how old was your battery? And which Painless External Wiring Harness did you use?

I appreciate you responding and look forward to your next response.

Bill