Active Grill Shutter Problems – (Causes and Fixes)

It’s critical to be conscious of the symptoms of active grille shutter breakdown if you drive a Ford or Chevy. Many motorists may not even be aware that their vehicle has this capability, and they might not understand what they can do if it begins to malfunction. The most frequent “Active Grill Shutter Problems” are when the shutters become stuck either open or closed, make a noise as they open, have damaged connections with the PCM, or cease functioning completely.

The active grille shutter method’s few primary symptoms will be covered in this article. We’ll also discuss some of the root reasons for these issues and how to resolve them.

Active Grille Shutter: What Is It?

The amount of air that enters the engine chamber and passes over the radiator is managed by an Active Grille Shutter System.

The actuator is a component of an active grille shutter system that regulates airflow entering the engine room from the radiator. It accomplishes this by adjusting the grille vent to open or close, depending on the circumstances.

In order to cool the combustion chamber with extra cold air, the cooling system will crack the grille vent. A similar thing occurs when you switch on your air conditioning system since air must travel past the vent.

In order to lessen aerodynamic drag when cooling isn’t necessary, the active grille technology shuts the grille vent. This typically occurs while you’re traveling at highway speeds since air currents reduce your dynamic efficiency.

Whenever the grille outlet is closed, air that circulates is directed around the car in a different direction. Because less energy is required to propel the vehicle, decreased aerodynamic drag results in better mileage for each gallon. Additionally, it is shut during cold weather to reduce engine warm-up duration.

What Kinds of “Active Grill Shutter Problems” are There?

An operational grill shutter may experience several possible difficulties, including calibration errors, front-end accidents, heating up, and broken fuses.

When either the control unit or the detector is not fitted correctly or is not calibrated correctly, calibration issues may arise. This may result in erroneous time estimates and measurements.

Incorrect installation or excessive contact between the grill shutter and the cooking surface might result in front-end crashes. This may result in harm to the grilling area or the grill cover.

Inadequate grill ventilation or an excessively high internal temperature can also lead to overheating. The surface for cooking or other grill parts may sustain damage as a result of this.

A failing electrical circuit that is overloaded may result in blown fuses. The surface of the stove or grill may lose power as a result of this.

What Factors Lead To A Grille Shutter Failure?

The instrument cluster instantly displays a functioning grill shutter failure warning when the yellow checking engine light illuminates.

It implies that the actuator malfunctioned, preventing the grille vent from opening and closing as anticipated. The usual causes are listed below.

Bump Into Each Other

One of the more frequent causes of grille shutter failure involves a bumper collision in the front.

Before the grille shutters arrive, the bumpers, which are made of plastic. Consequently, if anything strikes your front bumper forcefully, the shutters might be harmed. The harm done to the shutters might occasionally be minor and only cosmetic.

However, in rare cases, the impact might cause the shutter shafts to break or bend. They may be harmed if they don’t close and open properly.

Intrusion of Water

Another frequent instance of Ford active grill shutters issues is water intrusion. Whenever the seals protecting the shutters are broken or damaged, water infiltration may happen. Water damage to the inside components of the shutter system is possible.

The water might cause the active grill shutters to become caught open or jam as time passes, making it impossible for them to close and open properly.

Garbage or Dirt Clogs the Shutter

The vehicle’s front is where the shutters are located, and they might be damaged in a collision. Debris might be blasted into the shutter mechanism in addition to distorting the bumper.

Additionally, some motorists claim that after a lengthy period of driving, debris, dirt, as well as wear on the engines can accumulate and block the grille shutters, impairing their functionality.

The Buildup of Snow

Snow can damage the temperature sensor and clog the aero flaps when it is freezing outside and covering everything. The diagnosis error code for a faulty sensor is P0115.

Pull out and check the grille shutters as soon as you detect the engine problem warning. The sensor that detects the temperature is to fault if you clear the system of all snow, yet the issue persists. You are going to replace it due to this situation.

How Do I Repair A Grill Shutter That Is Active?

The most frequent cause of the activated grill shutter issue is the internal error code that you are experiencing. Ford occasionally includes a DTC, or diagnostics trouble codes, with the dynamic grill shutter component that may be the source of this issue.

Before you continue to the procedures below, you can purchase an OBD II adaptor if you are not entirely comfortable using this instrument.

Turn the Engine to Idle

Utilize the FORScan for connecting your OBD II adaptor to the truck’s socket and your laptop. As an alternative, you may connect it to the vehicle and utilize your scanning tool.

Allow the FORScan to display some data by waiting a little while. Then, an indicator that displays a warning or error code on the active grill shutter ought to pop up.

Select this trouble code next. You will notice another meter appear, directing you to crank up the vehicle after pressing and holding the reset button for a short while.

These are the measures you may take to solve this problem if the problem is a blown or defective fuse.

To see if the fuses are faulty or worn out, open the bonnet. Find the bad fuse in your fuse box.

Remove the lid from the fuse box and look to see whether the fuse has become blown. The faulty fuse may be removed with nose pliers.

After installing the new AGS, secure the fuse box lid. Adjust the AGS module using a scanning tool while keeping your hood closed. The procedure is finished by starting the truck’s motor.

Watch this one,

Video Credits – Dorman Products

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