Active Grille Shutters

McSquashy

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Anyone know a way to manually activate or cycle the lower grille shutters? I think mine might be broken because they were frozen shut this winter.

I heard a weird noise one day after getting out of my MME. Turns out, it was the mechanism trying to open the shutters over and over, but it couldn't. I could even feel something moving behind the shutters when I touched them. I tapped them, hoping to break the ice loose, but it didn't work. I was scared to push harder for fear of breaking something.

Ever since, I've been watching the shutters, and I haven't noticed them open once, whereas I used to often see them open. It could just be a coincidence, but I'd really like to find out for sure if they're still working.
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RickMachE

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There is no manual way.
 

noway

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Air condition turned on with temp above freezing while stationary will always open the shutters after some time. AC charging at somewhere close to 11kW will also open the shutters (at least some).

Those shutters are very robust and they normally will not break even when frozen solid. Suggest not trying to move them or break off ice, rather leave them frozen.
 
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McSquashy

McSquashy

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Air condition turned on with temp above freezing while stationary will always open the shutters after some time. AC charging at somewhere close to 11kW will also open the shutters (at least some).

Those shutters are very robust and they normally will not break even when frozen solid. Suggest not trying to move them or break off ice, rather leave them frozen.
That's essentially what I did; just let them be. It was really my dumb ass fault that they froze up. It's probably not recommended to use a car wash when it's only 17 degrees outside.?

I'll have to keep an eye on them more once the temps start warming up.
 


azerik

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$1000 mistake sadly. If you're lucky you can find a way to get the gearing resolved to get them to open. If not, it's 1 piece and a pain to install as the bumper comes off from what i remember.
 

JohnFoxeSheets

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Mine always open up when I start charging at home and then close if the temp is fine.
Yeah, I would try charging and see if they open. If not, you may need to take it to the dealer. Hopefully they'll fix it under warranty. (You might er, forget to tell them that they froze shut!)
 

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Before your car starts charging it will test the shutters to make sure they can open in case it needs to cool the HV battery. I'm fairly certain it will throw an error if it's unable to open them.
 

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I'd be shocked to find that you don't have a soft code if/when the shutter mechanism malfunctions.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Active Grille Shutters Screenshot_20250305_211002_OneDriv


Ford Mustang Mach-E Active Grille Shutters Screenshot_20250305_211131_OneDriv
 
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McSquashy

McSquashy

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I'd be shocked to find that you don't have a soft code if/when the shutter mechanism malfunctions.

Screenshot_20250305_211002_OneDrive.webp


Screenshot_20250305_211131_OneDrive.webp
Haven't seen any error messages pop on the IPC. Not clear on what a soft code is. Would a soft code show if I connect to FORScan?
 

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Anyone know a way to manually activate or cycle the lower grille shutters? I think mine might be broken because they were frozen shut this winter.

I heard a weird noise one day after getting out of my MME. Turns out, it was the mechanism trying to open the shutters over and over, but it couldn't. I could even feel something moving behind the shutters when I touched them. I tapped them, hoping to break the ice loose, but it didn't work. I was scared to push harder for fear of breaking something.

Ever since, I've been watching the shutters, and I haven't noticed them open once, whereas I used to often see them open. It could just be a coincidence, but I'd really like to find out for sure if they're still working.
Take your vehicle to your dealer. The gears are plastic and they brake just like mine did couple years ago.
Don’t be surprised if they don’t have the parts, motor or gears to replace it.
The dealer can verify what is broken or seized.
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