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Hill Start Assist Not Available

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#21 ·
bosengel said:
I’m getting a message that says "Hill Start Assist Not Available" every time I start the car accompanied by a warning light of a car with squiggly lines beneath it and an amber exclamation point under the fuel and engine temperature gauges. In the Driver Assist menu I do not even have an option for Hill Start Assist. (I also cannot turn off Traction Ctrl. Anytime I try to disable it, the check mark comes back a second later. Not sure if this is related.)

Some background on the cars repair history. Previous owner had clutches/input seal done 3 years ago and the TCM replaced 2 years ago, both under warranty. The car was in an accident and declared totaled by their insurance company. Cue me buying it at an auction and my dad and I putting it back together.

Upon the first startup after repairs, there was an ABS light on until I drove a few hundred feet down the road. It went away and has never come back. My dad’s code reader read that there was a stored code for the driver’s side front wheel speed sensor but after clearing the code it has not come back.

I’m leaning towards the wheel speed sensor but I’d like some advice and input before I start throwing money at this problem. I don’t really care that the Hill Start Assist doesn’t work but the warning light is driving me nuts every time I start the car and if there’s an issue with the ABS I’d like to fix it.
Click to expand...

Hi, I'll just share what happened to me.

I own a 2012 Focus SEL in México City. Suddenly the "Hill Start Assit Not Available" message appeared. I read that it could be the ABS sensor and I disconnected, cleaned and connected them (I am an IT guy) but that didn't work.

On the other hand, months before I took my car to a workshop because the electric steering and the transmision stopped working (both almost at the same time). The electric steering was replaced and the transmision was reaconditioned. Everything was working fine but I realized that when I drove through bad roads there were sounds as if metal hit to another metal. Few months later that message ("Hill Start Assit Not Available") started to appear ocassionally. I took my car to a workshop again, in order to solve the metal to metal noise problem (wich I assumed that could be related to a suspension problem) and they discovered that there were some screws (the screws that are related to the suspension, steering and transmision) badly tightened. They just tightened them and the noice dissappear, but... also the message. I am not sure why, but I wanted to share this because this may help someone.

Thanks
 
#22 ·
hernandezma said:
Hi, I'll just share what happened to me.

I own a 2012 Focus SEL in México City. Suddenly the "Hill Start Assit Not Available" message appeared. I read that it could be the ABS sensor and I disconnected, cleaned and connected them (I am an IT guy) but that didn't work.

On the other hand, months before I took my car to a workshop because the electric steering and the transmision stopped working (both almost at the same time). The electric steering was replaced and the transmision was reaconditioned. Everything was working fine but I realized that when I drove through bad roads there were sounds as if metal hit to another metal. Few months later that message ("Hill Start Assit Not Available") started to appear ocassionally. I took my car to a workshop again, in order to solve the metal to metal noise problem (wich I assumed that could be related to a suspension problem) and they discovered that there were some screws (the screws that are related to the suspension, steering and transmision) badly tightened. They just tightened them and the noice dissappear, but... also the message. I am not sure why, but I wanted to share this because this may help someone.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have 2015 Ford Mustang and got same message couple day ago. Also my brake light keep on after Engine shutdown. After review of how fix brake switch from YouTube, I put a 2 mm thick piece of magnet between brake light switch and brake steel metal. Now brake light problem is fixed and "Hill Start Assit Not Available" message disappeared.
 
#23 ·
sykozis said:
Neither of those codes can be caused by a wheel speed sensor. There is nothing YOU can do to fix the problem. You need to take the car to a Ford dealer and ask them to perform the IVD initialization procedure.


C0061:54 Lateral Acceleration Sensor: Missing Calibration

This DTC sets if the stability sensors in the RCM have not been calibrated or the calibration has been lost. CARRY OUT the IVD Initialization procedure, FOLLOW the diagnostic scan tool instructions.

If the module fails the initialization procedure, VERIFY the RCM is installed correctly and that the fasteners are tightened to specifications. REINSTALL or INSTALL new as necessary.
REFER to: Restraints Control Module (RCM) (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Removal and Installation).
If the RCM is OK, CARRY OUT the RCM self-test. RETRIEVE and RECORD any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
REFER to: Airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Vehicles With: First and Second Row Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) With Driver Knee Airbag (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).

If the module passes the initialization procedure, CLEAR the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). CYCLE the ignition from ON to OFF and back to ON. CARRY OUT the ABS module self-test. If the DTC returns, INSTALL a new ABS module and HCU assembly.
REFER to: Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) (206-09 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Stability Control, Removal and Installation).


C0062:54 Longitudinal Acceleration Sensor: Missing Calibration

This DTC sets if the stability sensors in the RCM have not been calibrated or the calibration has been lost. CARRY OUT the IVD Initialization procedure, FOLLOW the diagnostic scan tool instructions.

If the module fails the initialization procedure, VERIFY the RCM is installed correctly and that the fasteners are tightened to specifications. REINSTALL or INSTALL new as necessary.
REFER to: Restraints Control Module (RCM) (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Removal and Installation).
If the RCM is OK, CARRY OUT the RCM self-test. RETRIEVE and RECORD any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
REFER to: Airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Vehicles With: First and Second Row Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) With Driver Knee Airbag (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).

If the module passes the initialization procedure, CLEAR the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). CYCLE the ignition from ON to OFF and back to ON. CARRY OUT the ABS module self-test. If the DTC returns, INSTALL a new ABS module and HCU assembly.
REFER to: Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) (206-09 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Stability Control, Removal and Installation).
Click to expand...
A Ford dealership is the last place I would ever take a vehicle. Those idiots charge you $5,000 just to look at your vehicle, not to mention they messedthings up on it
 
#24 ·
Questwill said:
Hillstart Assist

I just purchased a 2018 Lincoln MKX. I've had it less than a month. Every time I drive it, I get a warning alert saying Hillstart Assist is not available.
I finally took it back to the dealer and was told they could find no issue and could not reproduce the issue. After some questioning on my part, the mechanic finally tells me they did find an error which indicates I am keeping my foot on the break for more than 6 minutes at a time. (No Way!!) I explained this is happening EVERY time I drive the car which is mostly to and from work (7 miles). I asked if they checked the sensor which was reporting the code about braking for more than 6 minutes. He would never give a direct answer. The conversation ended with him telling me to bring it back if the problem continues.
The problem has continued as it had before. However now I am super aware of how I use the brake (NOT 6 minutes). I have found the alert comes on less than 5 minutes after starting the car (which destroys his 6 minute braking excuse.)
Has anyone else seen this issue? Any thoughts or feedback appreciated.
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Okay so I never have an actual problem starting my car on a hill. This light only briefly flashes while I’m driving, so brief I only caught a glimpse of it and googled what the light was by typing “Ford Focus hill start” and it filled in the rest for me. I’m going to have to take it to my ford dealer but generally this occurs around the same time my BCM and TCM start acting up (pretty common in focus between 12-16) I notice I only get this notification when I put the pedal pretty much to the floor, my father who is a mechanic or 30 years believes it may (although unlikely) have something to do with the instant thrust of torque that something is being sensed or some sensor is going off of that nature. I will update when I take the car to the dealer.

As reference I drive a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium (nothing but problems with the transmission btw, and fords warranty only resets the PCM and TCM so nothing ever gets fixed. Probably wouldn’t recommend the car)
 
#25 ·
Had the same hill start assist warning light come on. Mine came on after a wreck in which a girl ran the stop sign with a Ford Expedition and planted her front bumper in the passenger side of my car. The impact on the back tire bent the rim six inches backward. I placed a 16" focus se tire on my s model and drove it 25 miles home. I noticed the light and after reading pretty sure this impact brought on the sensor. I didn't see any physical damage to anything else but worth looking at the ABS components. Now I have a new OEM rim on there and will try unplugging the battery to reset tomorrow. Noticed it does drive better. It makes sense what someone said earlier about impact with the wheel, also check if your back tires are the same size too.
 
#26 ·
My scenario is that I replaced the steering rack, and suddenly have this issue.

  • I've reset the TCM (battery disconnect/discharge with pos/negative cables touching).
  • I've checked the ABS sensors

Is there anything else that might be the cause?

I noticed these metal plates are "loose" which looks a bit strange. Any chance they're related?

Image
 
#27 ·
Understand this is something that is wired into the brain of the car. Because it happens on so many cars, it has to be. I know in my 2012 Ford Focus never had the problem until a girl ran a stop sign and drove into the rear tire. Upon picking it up from the tow company the next day, I placed another that bent rim tire with another. Following the car home I noticed the tire was off the vertical and had a bowed effect. Also the Hill Assist light came on and has stayed on. From what I have read on many of these posts is that it has something to do with the rear axle and an injury to it in some fashion. It must be like a leveler and once knocked off it's level, it will continue to send the message until it is level. It will never be level because these cars made today are like driving a box of tin foil down the road. I like the old vehicles made solid and actually have a rear axle, not two pieces welded on each side. Another suggestion is to change the Module Control unit or the brain. My light still comes on and I don't plan on having it fixed. It will run until it doesn't, just have to get over the annoying light on the panel. As far as I am concerned is this is another piece of technology they could have left out, what is the use of it to the driver? Nothing but a way for them to make you bring it in and charging you to make the light go off. The other suggestion is to get a new module control. I have been driving mine for over 500 miles with it on and nothing has broke down. Even the tire bowed out a little doesn't look good but it still drives. Maybe the car companies will figure out that if the customer doesn't fix and others see it driving down the road, they would not buy that model which leads to it's extinction.
 
#30 ·
My Ford Focus 2011 randomly gets the battery warning light up, if I don't either pull over turn everything off or in extreme cases disconnect the battery, then reconnect. The hill start not available message comes up, then soon after all power shuts down. I have a new battery and had the alternator tested. The centre couldn't find any faults. The battery seems to come on more often in summer with Aircon, radio and phone charger in. Don't have it too much in winter. It did it again this morning the moment I started the car, so thought I'd ask on here before seeing Ford.
 
#31 ·
Rremove and clean the grounds from the negative battery terminal to the body. Clean the paint off the surface where they bolt up. Re install the grounds. Apply a small coat of grease or lightly spray with paint to protect against corrosion. Biggest flaw in Fords imho.
 
#32 ·
bosengel said:
I’m getting a message that says "Hill Start Assist Not Available" every time I start the car accompanied by a warning light of a car with squiggly lines beneath it and an amber exclamation point under the fuel and engine temperature gauges. In the Driver Assist menu I do not even have an option for Hill Start Assist. (I also cannot turn off Traction Ctrl. Anytime I try to disable it, the check mark comes back a second later. Not sure if this is related.)

Some background on the cars repair history. Previous owner had clutches/input seal done 3 years ago and the TCM replaced 2 years ago, both under warranty. The car was in an accident and declared totaled by their insurance company. Cue me buying it at an auction and my dad and I putting it back together.

Upon the first startup after repairs, there was an ABS light on until I drove a few hundred feet down the road. It went away and has never come back. My dad’s code reader read that there was a stored code for the driver’s side front wheel speed sensor but after clearing the code it has not come back.

I’m leaning towards the wheel speed sensor but I’d like some advice and input before I start throwing money at this problem. I don’t really care that the Hill Start Assist doesn’t work but the warning light is driving me nuts every time I start the car and if there’s an issue with the ABS I’d like to fix it.
Click to expand...
I had this same problem with my 2012 Ford Focus SE. After almost a month of troubleshooting the ABS system, the problem was with the brake light switch. The replacement of this switch did fix the problem for my 2012 Ford Focus SE.

 
#34 ·
bobtech001 said:
I had this same problem with my 2012 Ford Focus SE. After almost a month of troubleshooting the ABS system, the problem was with the brake light switch. The replacement of this switch did fix the problem for my 2012 Ford Focus SE.
Click to expand...
If you would like to fix the Hill Assist mode on the car, and there’s no option inside of the Driver Assist Folder, then it didn’t come with factory Hill Assist. Easiest thing to do, if you have the technology to fix it through a computer, do it, it takes maybe ten minutes to load it in. It will put the Hill Assist Mode in the Driver Assist Folder correctly where it should be so you may switch it on or off as you desire. if you don’t have the technology yourself, like I don’t either, but I’ve seen it done. I can’t imagine they’d charge you too much for a car they don’t need to rack and will spend literally a total of ten mins on. Hope it’s helpful
 
#35 ·
As I was doing some research, I tried this solution, and it worked. The tyres were inflated at different levels, and, arguably, all overinflated (39/38.5/34.5/34.5 PSI). I reduced the pressure in all tyres at 29.5PSI, and the error disappeared after starting the car a couple of times. I read this on another forum, so kudos to the person who shared this info.
 
#37 ·
my hill start assist popped up on my screen after i noticed my ac was blowing just hot air, after realizing the lights weren’t coming on to indicate the ac was working i noticed not only was hill assist unavailable, but there was some type of airbag off and the car icon with the squiggly lines. Does anyone know if the ac and the hill start assist are connected or at least why that would’ve happened at the same time?
 
#38 ·
Hi all, first post from Australia. I am trying to help out a pensioner friend of mine with his 2014 Focus 2.0L Petrol Trend Dual Clutch. As above he has an issue where the hill holder fails and he has warning lights and alerts intermittently. I have read that this thread and see it could be due to the ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness having internal breaks. Or the sensors themselves, or the brake light switch, or fuses. The car has no codes saved. His mechanic thinks it needs a new ECU, but given there are no codes, that doesn't seem likely. Given that the wiring harness and/or abs sensors should be a relatively cheap fix it could be worth a try. Does anyone know the correct part numbers for the front speed sensor wiring harnesses? The local dealer seems to think these are approximately AUD$2000 each. This doesn't seem right to me. Also if anyone has any further advice I would appreciate it. Cheers.
 
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