"Stop Safely Now"
#151
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
I don't think the oil is the problem but it might become a problem. Did you use synthetic oil or conventional oil? The heaver oil will not flow quickly on start up. These engines start and stop more frequently than conventional engines. Old school beliefs were older engines need a thicker oil due to wear and age, this is NO LONGER TRUE. Modern engines have MUCH tighter tolerances and clearances. They are designed to run on thiner oils. A worn modern engine still is tighter than a new old school engine, thats why they are going 200K now. I have seen Ford Explorer lose(jumped off the lifter) rocker arms because the oil could not fill the lifters fast enough, they were using 10w-30. This failure occurred 3 times over 200 miles before switching back to 5w-20 which solved the problem.
#152
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
2006 MMH
FYI, the Dealer replaced the entire transaxle... basically the entire hybrid system under the hood.
They did this months ago and the "stop safely now" message and complete power loss has not happened again. It was under warranty and took a week or two.
I'm pretty much done with this car...
But for those with this problem, I thought it might be helpful to know that this solution worked for me.
FYI, the Dealer replaced the entire transaxle... basically the entire hybrid system under the hood.
They did this months ago and the "stop safely now" message and complete power loss has not happened again. It was under warranty and took a week or two.
I'm pretty much done with this car...
But for those with this problem, I thought it might be helpful to know that this solution worked for me.
#153
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
It could be as simple as a loose intermittant wire, and mean nothing mechanical. It could be a bump in the road made some sensor trip...
It could be a lot of things... but most, are very minor and cheap.
P.S. Go back to 5w20 ASAP.
It could be a lot of things... but most, are very minor and cheap.
P.S. Go back to 5w20 ASAP.
Okay, here we go again.
05 FEH 114,000 miles.
We have never had any problems with this vehicle to this point, but today my wife was driving down the road about 5 minutes from our house and the "Stop safely now" message came up and she had to pull over. She restarted the car and drove it back home, I drove it to work so I could get a feel for what is going on. (I have never posted here, but have read almost every message in the forum)
On the way to work I noticed that the car is idling unusually low, it was hovering around 1000 rpms when my foot was not on the gas (it never gets much below 2000) and of course when it got that low it kicked in the electric drive mode. Another unusual thing is that it cut into electric mode much sooner than usual, I had only been driving the car for about 1 mile when it kicked in. It seems to be struggling to know when to switch gears, sometimes allowing me to get up to 4500 to 5000 rpms before shifting which is highly unusual.
So what do you all think the problem could be?
P.S. I am going to buy relays tommorrow, just to make sure they are not the problem.
05 FEH 114,000 miles.
We have never had any problems with this vehicle to this point, but today my wife was driving down the road about 5 minutes from our house and the "Stop safely now" message came up and she had to pull over. She restarted the car and drove it back home, I drove it to work so I could get a feel for what is going on. (I have never posted here, but have read almost every message in the forum)
On the way to work I noticed that the car is idling unusually low, it was hovering around 1000 rpms when my foot was not on the gas (it never gets much below 2000) and of course when it got that low it kicked in the electric drive mode. Another unusual thing is that it cut into electric mode much sooner than usual, I had only been driving the car for about 1 mile when it kicked in. It seems to be struggling to know when to switch gears, sometimes allowing me to get up to 4500 to 5000 rpms before shifting which is highly unusual.
So what do you all think the problem could be?
P.S. I am going to buy relays tommorrow, just to make sure they are not the problem.
#154
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
I drive a 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. 92,000 miles, and it's still under warranty.
A few months ago, I had my first "STOP SAFELY NOW" message while in my parking lot. The engine stopped and I tried to coast into my parking space. I shut the car down, and successfully restarted my car about 20 minutes later.
I brought the car to my local Ford dealership, where I bought the car used. They were very busy that day, and I could not afford to leave my car overnight. I was told that they "had never heard of this before" and "it was likely just a glitch." I believed them since I was able to restart my car and drive.
I drove the car without incident for the next few months. I had forgotten about this issue. But today it struck again. This time I was over an hour away from home on the interstate. I was on my way to visit my parents. The car would restart after a short break, but the engine would shut off with the same "STOP SAFELY NOW" message happening (twice in about 20 minutes now). I had the car towed to a Ford dealership and they're going to look at it Monday.
If there is anything I can tell them to help in diagnosing this problem please let me know. I've read through through this thread, but I'm really not too savvy when it comes to cars. Should I ask the Ford dealership for a copy of the code numbers that are pulled? If I post that here will it help? Whatever it is, I sure hope my warranty covers it.
TIA
A few months ago, I had my first "STOP SAFELY NOW" message while in my parking lot. The engine stopped and I tried to coast into my parking space. I shut the car down, and successfully restarted my car about 20 minutes later.
I brought the car to my local Ford dealership, where I bought the car used. They were very busy that day, and I could not afford to leave my car overnight. I was told that they "had never heard of this before" and "it was likely just a glitch." I believed them since I was able to restart my car and drive.
I drove the car without incident for the next few months. I had forgotten about this issue. But today it struck again. This time I was over an hour away from home on the interstate. I was on my way to visit my parents. The car would restart after a short break, but the engine would shut off with the same "STOP SAFELY NOW" message happening (twice in about 20 minutes now). I had the car towed to a Ford dealership and they're going to look at it Monday.
If there is anything I can tell them to help in diagnosing this problem please let me know. I've read through through this thread, but I'm really not too savvy when it comes to cars. Should I ask the Ford dealership for a copy of the code numbers that are pulled? If I post that here will it help? Whatever it is, I sure hope my warranty covers it.
TIA
Last edited by StMos; 11-28-2009 at 08:49 PM.
#155
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
Here is an update on my situation.
I replaced all of the relays and that seemed to do the trick. We didnt have a Stop Safely Now message for a month or so. It started acting up a few weeks ago and threw a code. I had Autozone read the code for me and it was a running lean or "Excessive Air" code. About a week after the code the vehicle would not run. It started fine but would only run for a few seconds before choking out.
The two most probable causes listed were;
1. Vacuum leak
2. Stuck EGR Valve
I tested for vacuum leaks with the old brake parts cleaner trick and did not find any (although I could not completely spray the lower intake gasket) I think that the EGR valve being stuck is a bit of a stretch but if it comes down to it I will check it.
Any advice?
I replaced all of the relays and that seemed to do the trick. We didnt have a Stop Safely Now message for a month or so. It started acting up a few weeks ago and threw a code. I had Autozone read the code for me and it was a running lean or "Excessive Air" code. About a week after the code the vehicle would not run. It started fine but would only run for a few seconds before choking out.
The two most probable causes listed were;
1. Vacuum leak
2. Stuck EGR Valve
I tested for vacuum leaks with the old brake parts cleaner trick and did not find any (although I could not completely spray the lower intake gasket) I think that the EGR valve being stuck is a bit of a stretch but if it comes down to it I will check it.
Any advice?
#156
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
I'm wondering if your issue might be a dirty Mass Air Flow Meter. The ECU could think that too much or not enough air is going into the intake if the MAF is not measuring the air flow into the intake correctly due to build up on the heated element that is used inside it to measure air flow. They make a spray cleaner for the MAF. It couldn't hurt to give that a try.
#157
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
Here is an update on my situation.
I replaced all of the relays and that seemed to do the trick. We didnt have a Stop Safely Now message for a month or so. It started acting up a few weeks ago and threw a code. I had Autozone read the code for me and it was a running lean or "Excessive Air" code. About a week after the code the vehicle would not run. It started fine but would only run for a few seconds before choking out.
The two most probable causes listed were;
1. Vacuum leak
2. Stuck EGR Valve
I tested for vacuum leaks with the old brake parts cleaner trick and did not find any (although I could not completely spray the lower intake gasket) I think that the EGR valve being stuck is a bit of a stretch but if it comes down to it I will check it.
Any advice?
I replaced all of the relays and that seemed to do the trick. We didnt have a Stop Safely Now message for a month or so. It started acting up a few weeks ago and threw a code. I had Autozone read the code for me and it was a running lean or "Excessive Air" code. About a week after the code the vehicle would not run. It started fine but would only run for a few seconds before choking out.
The two most probable causes listed were;
1. Vacuum leak
2. Stuck EGR Valve
I tested for vacuum leaks with the old brake parts cleaner trick and did not find any (although I could not completely spray the lower intake gasket) I think that the EGR valve being stuck is a bit of a stretch but if it comes down to it I will check it.
Any advice?
GaryG
#158
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
My first "Stop Safely Now" occurred yesterday. Thankfully, it was just due to low fuel and the car was in my garage. But that scared the heck out of me. Does anyone have a guide they can recommend to follow when this message occurs, for whatever reason? It seems some have been able to coax their hybrid back into service. I hate the thought of being stranded somewhere with a car that won't run, or when the dealership is closed, like yesterday. Thank you
#159
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
My first "Stop Safely Now" occurred yesterday. Thankfully, it was just due to low fuel and the car was in my garage. But that scared the heck out of me. Does anyone have a guide they can recommend to follow when this message occurs, for whatever reason? It seems some have been able to coax their hybrid back into service. I hate the thought of being stranded somewhere with a car that won't run, or when the dealership is closed, like yesterday. Thank you
In all cases remain calm till you try the above because it could be just a computer glitch and all you have to do is cycle the Key Off for a few minutes. I had this happen on a new '10 BMW X6 Active Hybrid last November during a BMW Hypermiling documentary.
GaryG
#160
Re: "Stop Safely Now"
I'm ordering a relay to carry just in case. I think GaryG accidentally transposed the 8 & 9 digits. I believe the correct number is F0AZ - 14N089 - A