Does anyone have any technical info on the active grill shutters installed on our Ecoboost cars - at what speeds do they open/close, etc.?
Active Grill Shutters
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Karl
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If you've ever driven on Louisiana's beat up roads, you'd know you can't drive fast enough for aerodynamics to be much of a factor!
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When we installed a larger intercooler on my Son's EB, we cut off the bottom part of the shutters. With the nose/front bumper cover off it's easy to see how they work and a lot easier to remove or modify them. It isn't that hard to remove the front bumper cover if you watch a couple of U-tube videos to see how it's done. The new intercooler was large enough that it interfered with the clearance of the lower part of the shutters. We marked how many slats we needed to cut off for clearance and zipped them right off with a Dremel cutoff tool. With the intercooler installed, we put the top portion of the shutters back on and plugged the motor control harness back in. Everything fits no problem! Put the bumper cover back on and you'd never know anything was done unless you got down and looked through the lower part of the grill where you can see the new intercooler behind the grill. The upper part works the grill shutters over the radiator just like before, only the lower portion is open to the intercooler now.
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I think I'll just say it... Grill shutters on a Mustang are dumb! I mean, just look at all the awesome aftermarket grill shutter options out there...
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Meh, Mishi IC works fine with the shutters in place so I left mine on. To see them work, just stand in front of the car and remote start it, they cycle closed and then open again. They are there for a reason, and I agree, there's a huge amount of dead air space around the little 2.3 EB motor, so let the shutters close at speed. As far as being a sight sore, they aren't even noticeable when the car is sitting there, running or not! Anytime you are walking around the car, they are always going to be open. Anytime they are closed, you're not even going to notice!
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Exactly, I’ve had my car for almost a year and a half and didn’t notice they were there until last week when I actually tried to look in lol
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I removed my Active grills, now I have multiple check engine codes
how do I fix?
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Multiple? Care to elaborate on exactly what they are? Removal of AGS should only result in ONE, passive code, that doesn't light up the dash icon. It can only be read/seen with a scanner.I removed my Active grills, now I have multiple check engine codes
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Please see the picture below. After i removed i got more codes.
![35319]( "35319")
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Looks like you got a confluence of codes. Take one by one. The first one is P0073 and is probably because you forgot to hookup your ambient temp sensor when you put your front bumper back on. The next one is P018C and is the low side fuel pressure sensor error. Probably just coincidence that it is rearing its head now, but it is a known problem with the Ecoboost Mustang. Simply find another low pressure sensor for $50 and replace it. You are lucky, apparently some people experience "Ecobooms" when this thing craps out. The P0301 is misfires related, and can probably be attributed to the same fuel pressure sensor not doing its job correctly. Not sure why P05A1 for Cruise Control is flashing. You might be able to simply clear that out, and make it go away.
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Many different makes of cars have AGS, and as several have earlier alluded to, their only purpose is to improve gas mileage, to promote car sales while keeping the EPA happy.
If you mod your car for more power it’s a good idea to remove them, promoting better air circulation for cooling, etc. but plug the motor back in to prevent a code or modify with forscan.
If your car is a dd and you’d like better fuel mileage, leave them in place.
We get cars in the shop having a code for these things pretty often and 99% percent of the owners have no idea they are even there.
If you mod your car for more power it’s a good idea to remove them, promoting better air circulation for cooling, etc. but plug the motor back in to prevent a code or modify with forscan.
If your car is a dd and you’d like better fuel mileage, leave them in place.
We get cars in the shop having a code for these things pretty often and 99% percent of the owners have no idea they are even there.
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Did the engine light come on once shutters are removed?
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No. The AGS does put a soft code in the computer for "unable to communicate with AGS", but it doens't throw a CEL or show up on most scanners. It is in my Cobb every tie I look, but no light and doesn't affect anything once they're gone.
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I read the thread from the beginning, about 4 years worth.
Since the shutters are for aero shouldn't a tuner figure out how to make them manually operated. It may not be much, but less drag is always better for quicker 1/4 miles. Look at Tesla and Mach E front ends...sealed tight.
Just my 2 cents, thinking it may be possible they would help while racing.
Since the shutters are for aero shouldn't a tuner figure out how to make them manually operated. It may not be much, but less drag is always better for quicker 1/4 miles. Look at Tesla and Mach E front ends...sealed tight.
Just my 2 cents, thinking it may be possible they would help while racing.
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I know this is an old post but I have info right out of the ford service manual on system overview and operational parameters and inputs used by PCM to control them and the system operation and components.
Active grill shutter overview
The active grille shutter system (when equipped) is comprised of the grille shutter assembly and the grille shutter actuator.
The active grille shutter system is primarily used to maximize fuel economy by reducing aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The active grille shutter system is also used to shorten engine warm-up time, increasing engine efficiency and providing heat to the vehicle occupants in a timely manner. The grille shutter actuator receives position commands from the PCM. The active grille shutter system carries out a calibration sequence whenever the engine is started, fully
opening and closing the shutters before being positioned in the programmed position as requested by the PCM.
PCM inputs/outputs that may be used for controlling of grille shutters are the:
ECT sensor
IAT sensor
A/C pressure transducer
APP sensor
ABS module (through the HS-CAN)
AAT (ambient air temperature) sensor
TCT (turbo charge temperature) sensor
MCT (manifold charge temperature) sensor
TOT (transmission oil temperature) sensor
Engine cooling fan motor
Engine oil temperature
© Copyright 2020, Ford Motor Company.
501-02 Front End Body Panels 2020 Mustang
Description and Operation Procedure revision date: 06/20/2016
Active Grille Shutter - System Operation and Component
Description
SystemOperation
SystemDiagram
Network Message Chart
PCM Network Input Messages
Active Grille Shutter
The grille shutter actuator positions the grille shutters based on commands from the PCM. The grille shutter moves 90 degrees from fully closed to fully open and, based on the position commanded by the PCM, is set in 1 of 16 positions (approximately 6 degrees between positions).
During normal operation, the grille shutter may be partially to fully open when the engine is off, depending on the ambient temperature. After an engine starting event, a calibration of the grille shutter system occurs, which typically takes 15-20 seconds. The grille shutter system performs the calibration sequence by detecting the end positions, open and closed. The calibration sequence can begin in either direction, open or closed, and continues until it is successful, or a fault is sensed. A long pause may occur between the 2 portions (open/close) of the calibration sequence. If
certain faults are present (shutter blocked or actuator error), a recalibration is initiated in an attempt to resolve the problem. If the problem is not resolved after a calibrated number of attempts (usually 3 or 4), a timer starts and sets a DTC when the timer reaches a predetermined limit. Other faults also trigger a recalibration request, but not until a grille shutter DTC is set in the PCM.
The PCM communicates the desired position (open or closed) of the grille shutter based on various PCM inputs (vehicle speed, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, A/C system pressure, etc.). The PCM communicates to the grille shutter actuator via a LIN. The LIN supports bi-directional communication between the grille shutter actuator and PCM, allowing the grille shutter actuator to communicate position and fault information to the PCM.
The PCM sets grille shutter Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when the fault information is communicated by the grille shutter actuator for a predetermined amount of time. Any failures of the LIN for over 10 seconds continuously results in the grille shutter actuator positioning the grille shutter fully open. There is no indication to the driver of the vehicle when a fault with the grille shutter system is present or a grille shutter DTC is set in the PCM.
Component Description
Grille Shutter Actuator
The grille shutter actuator is a smart motor which receives position requests from the PCM via the LIN. One of the grille shutter blinds connects to the grille shutter actuator using a retainer. The grille shutter actuator can be serviced individually or as part of an entire assembly, which includes the grille shutter, grille shutter actuator, retainer, housing and jumper harness.
Grille Shutter
The grille shutter is comprised of shutter blinds which are linked to each other in a framed housing. One of the individual shutter blinds is fixed to the grille shutter actuator. When the grille shutter actuator moves, it moves the attached shutter which causes the other linked shutters to move. The grille shutter is serviced as an assembly (individual shutter blinds are not serviceable), which includes the grille shutter, grille shutter actuator,
retainer, housing and jumper harness.
© Copyright 2020, Ford Motor Company.
BD
Active grill shutter overview
The active grille shutter system (when equipped) is comprised of the grille shutter assembly and the grille shutter actuator.
The active grille shutter system is primarily used to maximize fuel economy by reducing aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The active grille shutter system is also used to shorten engine warm-up time, increasing engine efficiency and providing heat to the vehicle occupants in a timely manner. The grille shutter actuator receives position commands from the PCM. The active grille shutter system carries out a calibration sequence whenever the engine is started, fully
opening and closing the shutters before being positioned in the programmed position as requested by the PCM.
PCM inputs/outputs that may be used for controlling of grille shutters are the:
ECT sensor
IAT sensor
A/C pressure transducer
APP sensor
ABS module (through the HS-CAN)
AAT (ambient air temperature) sensor
TCT (turbo charge temperature) sensor
MCT (manifold charge temperature) sensor
TOT (transmission oil temperature) sensor
Engine cooling fan motor
Engine oil temperature
© Copyright 2020, Ford Motor Company.
501-02 Front End Body Panels 2020 Mustang
Description and Operation Procedure revision date: 06/20/2016
Active Grille Shutter - System Operation and Component
Description
SystemOperation
SystemDiagram
Network Message Chart
PCM Network Input Messages
| Broadcast Message | Originating Module | Message Purpose |
| Vehicle speed | ABS module | Vehicle speed is used to determine positioning of the grille shutters. |
The grille shutter actuator positions the grille shutters based on commands from the PCM. The grille shutter moves 90 degrees from fully closed to fully open and, based on the position commanded by the PCM, is set in 1 of 16 positions (approximately 6 degrees between positions).
During normal operation, the grille shutter may be partially to fully open when the engine is off, depending on the ambient temperature. After an engine starting event, a calibration of the grille shutter system occurs, which typically takes 15-20 seconds. The grille shutter system performs the calibration sequence by detecting the end positions, open and closed. The calibration sequence can begin in either direction, open or closed, and continues until it is successful, or a fault is sensed. A long pause may occur between the 2 portions (open/close) of the calibration sequence. If
certain faults are present (shutter blocked or actuator error), a recalibration is initiated in an attempt to resolve the problem. If the problem is not resolved after a calibrated number of attempts (usually 3 or 4), a timer starts and sets a DTC when the timer reaches a predetermined limit. Other faults also trigger a recalibration request, but not until a grille shutter DTC is set in the PCM.
The PCM communicates the desired position (open or closed) of the grille shutter based on various PCM inputs (vehicle speed, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, A/C system pressure, etc.). The PCM communicates to the grille shutter actuator via a LIN. The LIN supports bi-directional communication between the grille shutter actuator and PCM, allowing the grille shutter actuator to communicate position and fault information to the PCM.
The PCM sets grille shutter Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when the fault information is communicated by the grille shutter actuator for a predetermined amount of time. Any failures of the LIN for over 10 seconds continuously results in the grille shutter actuator positioning the grille shutter fully open. There is no indication to the driver of the vehicle when a fault with the grille shutter system is present or a grille shutter DTC is set in the PCM.
Component Description
Grille Shutter Actuator
The grille shutter actuator is a smart motor which receives position requests from the PCM via the LIN. One of the grille shutter blinds connects to the grille shutter actuator using a retainer. The grille shutter actuator can be serviced individually or as part of an entire assembly, which includes the grille shutter, grille shutter actuator, retainer, housing and jumper harness.
Grille Shutter
The grille shutter is comprised of shutter blinds which are linked to each other in a framed housing. One of the individual shutter blinds is fixed to the grille shutter actuator. When the grille shutter actuator moves, it moves the attached shutter which causes the other linked shutters to move. The grille shutter is serviced as an assembly (individual shutter blinds are not serviceable), which includes the grille shutter, grille shutter actuator,
retainer, housing and jumper harness.
© Copyright 2020, Ford Motor Company.
BD
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Yep, and no tears of jealousy are being shed by owners of cars that aren't equipped with them... Never heard of anyone wanting to add them to their car!
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Agreed, none being shed here. I still have mine but noticed yesterday I had a code for an issue with them but accidently cleared it before investigating it so I guess will have to wait for it to reset. It did show it set 287 miles ago and believe it was for the min/max stop calibration procedure.
I may just remove the screws for the IC shutter connection and ty wrap them open all the time and leave the rad shutter connected. If I do remove them both I will leave motor plugged in and just remove the shutter flaps since the ducting does help direct the air into the IC and rad better, than if you remove the entire assy.
BD
I may just remove the screws for the IC shutter connection and ty wrap them open all the time and leave the rad shutter connected. If I do remove them both I will leave motor plugged in and just remove the shutter flaps since the ducting does help direct the air into the IC and rad better, than if you remove the entire assy.
BD
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2 Posts
Mine open and close, open and close over and over again while it's warming up. Is that normal?
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