Full Accessory Power Active Car Won’t Start | Causes & Solutions

In your Ford Fusion, Edge, F150, Explorer, Mustang, or another model, do you know how to turn off full accessory power active mode? This mode may cause problems starting your car, based on my experience. However, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

You can drive the car quickly after clearing this by yourself after I show you how to turn off the accessory mod. In order to understand accessories power active, its features, and what the mode is used for, let’s first understand what it is.

What full accessory power active in Ford vehicles?

Full Accessory Power Active Car Won’t Start

As technologies advance, vehicles become more convenient and functional for users. Users are provided with helpful and advanced features that enhance their experience.

Full accessory power is one of these features, which is active in Ford vehicles. By reducing wear and tear, it improves fuel efficiency, reduces noise, and increases the lifespan of engine components.

The dashboard message indicates that the electrical systems of your car are active when there is no engine running. Passengers and drivers can operate the radio, windows, and lights without turning on the engine.

A mobile phone or laptop can be charged without starting the engine using electrical accessories. 

How do you turn off Ford’s full accessory power Is active mode?

The following steps will guide you through the process of turning off the accessory mode:

  • A few minutes or half an hour of rest is sufficient for your vehicle.
  • In addition, do not press the brake pedals while you press the engine start/stop button.
  • Lastly, click the engine start/stop button and press the brake paddles.
  • The key should be turned to the first position after pressing the brake paddles on vehicles with the manual essential function.

The final step I hope you have taken is to start your Ford car and take it for a long drive once it has been recovered from accessory mode. Moreover, the video below provides instructions for better visual understanding.

Causes of accessory power active message

The dashboard accessory message can be triggered by the following causes:

  1. Battery issues
  2. Software glitches
  3. Electrical issues
  4. Ignition issues
  5. Electric control unit (ECU) issues

Battery Issues

A weak, failed, or too old Ford vehicle battery may trigger the accessory power active message. Any vehicle’s electrical system depends heavily on its battery.

The battery in a car can often go unnoticed, and when it is completely damaged, it can affect other electrical parts as well.

Software Glitches

Glitches in software are mostly caused by incomplete software updates, corrupted data, and programming errors. Electric control units (ECUs) fail or malfunction when there are software issues. 

Electrical Problems

A damaged or loose circuit board, electronic component, or wiring may cause the accessory system to stay on when it should be turned off. As a result of these electric issues, radios, windows, and lights may not function normally, which may cause a number of problems.

Ignition Issues

The full accessory power active message could be caused by a malfunctioning ignition switch or its components. Electrical accessories remain powered even when the key is removed if the ignition switch is not turning off the engine completely.

Electric control unit (ECU) issues

It is possible for an accessory power light to be caused by a malfunctioning electrical control unit, which is also known as the brain of a computer system. Defective ECUs send incorrect signals to a computer system, forcing the computer to act in accordance with the signals provided.

full accessory power active in Ford Solutions

Full Accessory Power Active Car Won’t Start

The following solutions will help you prevent future electric problems with your vehicle.

Inspect battery condition

You should first monitor the battery condition; if it is not fully charged, you should charge it. If necessary, spend a lot of time cleaning both terminals. You should replace your Ford car battery right away if it is weak or old since it can disrupt your journey and cause a number of problems.

It is also possible to drain your battery by using your navigation system, charging your devices, and listening to music or the radio while the engine is not running. When your battery isn’t sufficiently charged, you should limit the use of your accessory power because it will shut off automatically after a certain period.

Updated Software

Routine maintenance should be performed on the software to ensure that it’s up-to-date. A certified technician can reprogram it if there are bugs. A fault scanner or error code should also be used to inspect the software. 

Replace Ignition Switch

All components of the ignition switch should be inspected and ensured to function properly and efficiently. A high-quality new ignition switch should be used when an ignition switch is damaged and its parts are showing signs of wear.

Make sure the electrical system turns off properly after the parts are changed so the battery does not get drained.

Use Genuine Parts

It is always advisable to use genuine, high-quality parts that are durable, compatible, and last a long time. Using genuine parts increases engine efficiency and ensures that the ECU is able to deliver information to the computer in a timely manner.

Inspect Electrical Systems

Tighten loose connectors, repair or replace damaged or cut wires, and ensure that the accessory systems are adequately supplied with power. Connect the charger, turn on the lights, and use the windows to verify that the accessory components work properly.

Diagnosis With a scan tool

The best way to pinpoint the exact component that indicates the accessory power is to use a diagnosis scan tool. An error is identified by running a quick scan with this tool. All errors are corrected individually by mechanics, and the overall vehicle is faultless.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is “full accessory power active” in Ford vehicles?

This advanced feature in Ford vehicles allows you to operate electrical system features, such as the radio, windows, lights, and charging, without starting the engine.

My car won’t start due to the “full accessory power light in Ford”?

The first thing you should do is rest your car for half an hour or an hour. Turn on the accessory power mode by pressing the engine start/stop button. You can now start the engine by pressing the engine start button and the brake paddles.

How do you turn on the electrical system?

Start and stop the engine by pressing the start/stop button without pressing the brake paddles. The electrical system will be activated regardless of whether the engine is running or not.

What does “accessory power” mean?

While the engine is off, the electrical system remains active.

Conclusion

Routine maintenance and routine mechanic service are essential to maintaining your Ford’s electric system. However, Ford does not consider accessory power active to be a malfunction affecting the entire ECU because it is a normal function.

You will be able to detect problems more efficiently if you are knowledgeable about warnings, mechanical issues, and faults.

Author

  • Teddy Parker

    I am Teddy Parker, the owner of CarZinity.com, where I share my passion for cars through expert guides and practical tips. With a deep love for the automotive world, I provide valuable insights to help drivers make the most of their vehicles. My goal is to offer clear and actionable advice that enhances both your driving experience and vehicle maintenance.

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