Network Error Message on Display

[calvinhc]

A few months ago, after parking and shutting off my FFE, when I got out the door wouldn't lock. I got back in and everything in the dash was dead, though the cabin lights were working. I had to do something else, so I came back a couple of hours later and everything worked fine.

A couple of weeks later, I experienced this again, but when I was getting in the vehicle. This time, when I went to start, a message appeared on the centre console screen saying something about a Network Error before it went dark. I got out to open the hood, but got back in again and everything started fine.

What was similar in both cases is that when the car is started, the dash display appears as if it has reset in some way. The display I usually have set on the left side is changed and I have to change it back to my usual selection. On the right, I usually leave it on the surplus screen and it is back to the menu to select the screen you want.

I have had a couple of other occurrences, but usually I only know because all I see when starting the vehicle is the "reset" look.

Has anyone experienced this with their FFE? I'm wondering whether something needs replacing, or if only connectors on cables need to be cleaned and re-seated. I'm not keen on paying a dealership to run diagnostics that won't reveal anything I can't find out myself with Forscan, mainly because this is intermittent and will not likely show anything when they look at it.

 

[Anti_Climax]

That sounds like 12V battery and/or a module drawing power when it should be sleeping and running it down. I'd leave the hood popped and check the battery voltage with a multimeter right after you park and before you start again.

 

[CarBoss12]

It appears that there is a sporadic problem with the network communication or the car's electrical system. A module error or a loose link could be the cause. While resetting the system or cleaning connectors may be helpful, periodic problems might be challenging.

 

[Heima]

I vote 12V battery needs attention. If that goes below 12V, strange things happen.

 

[calvinhc]

That sounds like 12V battery and/or a module drawing power when it should be sleeping and running it down. I'd leave the hood popped and check the battery voltage with a multimeter right after you park and before you start again.

I'll keep my multimeter in the car so I can give it a check should it happen, or when I see the display showing signs that it had occurred.

I did replace the 12V battery earlier this year, but if something is drawing power it may be a possible cause of this.

 

[calvinhc]

It appears that there is a sporadic problem with the network communication or the car's electrical system. A module error or a loose link could be the cause. While resetting the system or cleaning connectors may be helpful, periodic problems might be challenging.

Agreed, which is why I'm loath to pay a dealership to run diagnostics that are not likely to reveal something that may not reveal itself when being looked at.