2007 Ford Freestar OBD2 Code C1104 Traction Control Active Lamp - Circuit Short to Battery

C1104 code definition

A C1104 trouble code means that your 2007 Ford Freestar 's Engine Control Unit (ECU) has registered a short circuit issue in the traction control lamp.

What the C1104 code means

The traction control active lamp is a feature on your 2007 Ford Freestar 's dashboard that lights up whenever the traction control system is being used. The light typically either lights up as a "TC" acronym or a pictured of a car losing control. The traction control system will light up when the system detects the tires are beginning to lose control. They'll help to even out the issue. If a C1104 code has occurred, the lamp won't light up when the TC system is activated.

What causes the C1104 code?

A shorted traction control lamp is most often caused by faulty components or improper circuit wiring. The wiring may be corroded, damaged or even faulty. In some rare cases, the ECU itself may be faulty, mistakenly reporting the trouble code as a result. Due to the rareness of this cause, it should only be considered once all other plausible causes have been exhausted.

What are the symptoms of the C1104 code?

In the case of a C1104 trouble code, the traction control lamp on your 2007 Ford Freestar 's dashboard will not light up, regardless whether or not the TC feature is currently active. The C1104 code will be accompanied by an illuminated check engine light on your 2007 Ford Freestar 's dashboard, as well as a stored C1104 trouble code. These symptoms are activated to help an operator recognize and identify a problem. They may be disregarded once the specific problem has been identified.

How does a mechanic diagnose the C1104 code?

The C1104 code is first diagnosed by reading the code using an OBD-II scanner on your 2007 Ford Freestar 's ECU. The dashboard panel should be accessed and examined for signs of faultiness and potential damage caused by the short circuit. Any electrical wiring and connectors should looked over for signs of disconnection, corrosion improper wiring/installation, damage and faultiness. The use of a diagnostic tool such as an Autohex can help shed light on the source of the circuit failure. Due to the short circuit, fuses related to the dashboard and traction control lamp may have been blown.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the C1104 code

How serious is the C1104 code?

A C1104 will not affect the drivability of a 2007 Ford Freestar , nor will it hinder the traction control system, unless it is accompanied by other codes. Without the traction control active lamp working properly, you won't know whether or not the feature is on. More importantly however, not knowing when it's on means you may not know if it's working when it's supposed to. Other traction-related issues will typically be reported to the ECU as trouble codes, dashboard issues restricting data to the driver can be potentially serious problems.

What repairs can fix the C1104 code?

If any fuses were blown by the traction lamp's short circuit, they'll need to be taken out and replaced in order for the feature to function again. Any concerns with electrical wiring or circuit-related components should be addressed promptly. Simple rewires and repairs may be done if the circuit issue is mild enough, but the circuitry may need to be replaced. If the ECU is identified as faulty, it will need to be reprogrammed or replaced. Once you've made any necessary repairs to fix the lamp circuit, restart your 2007 Ford Freestar . Turning the ignition and letting it stand for a couple of minutes will allow the code to recur if it hasn't been addressed yet. If this is the case, return to the diagnostic stage and see if there is anything you may have missed.

Additional comments for consideration regarding the C1104 code

If the C1104 was reported alongside other issues relating to the traction control system, repair the codes in the order in which they were logged.

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