Stuck Active Exhaust Actuator (GT)

[Ls_Eater]

I've searched and searched, and I did find quite a bit of relevant information as to non-functioning active, caused by frayed wires (Which I myself have just replaced), on both Modified as well as stock vehicles.

After replacing the Pigtails myself, the active is still non-functioning, however, if you examine the tips while the car is off both are fully open (as expected), however upon starting of the vehicle the driverside closes and the passengers stays wide open, and shortly there after you receive the "Exhaust mode Selection is Unavailable".

I've attempted to "poke" the Driver/Passengers side and the driverside does show movement, where as the passenger is rock solid in its place.

I think it's safe to assume that my Passenger side actuator is stuck, I'm curious if anyone has ever fixed a stuck actuator or even attempted to disassemble it to reset the spring?

I WOULD take it to Ford, however they've already made it clear that they will not be covering this exhaust work under warranty.

Sponsored

 

[Lightning Struck]

I'm interested in the "I WOULD take it to Ford, however they've already made it clear that they will not be covering this exhaust work under warranty."

Did they explain why they won't be covering a defective part that is under warranty?

 

[Ls_Eater]

I'm interested in the "I WOULD take it to Ford, however they've already made it clear that they will not be covering this exhaust work under warranty."

Did they explain why they won't be covering a defective part that is under warranty?

Modifications to exhaust.

Headers were installed, pushed mufflers back, ended up stripping pigtails on pinch weld.

I repaired the Pigtails at my own cost.

Ford wouldn't cover the Pigtails due to the Headers, and in turn won't be covering the Actuator.

 

[gmupatriot]

Modifications to exhaust.

Headers were installed, pushed mufflers back, ended up stripping pigtails on pinch weld.

I repaired the Pigtails at my own cost.

Ford wouldn't cover the Pigtails due to the Headers, and in turn won't be covering the Actuator.

That's unfortunate. I know this is not apples to apples comparison but I have a 2010 Infiniti G37 sedan and around 57,xxx miles 1 of the 2 cats went bad and started to make a rattling sound. The dealership replaced BOTH of them in case the other cat might go bad in the near future and I will be out of the 5yr/60k miles warranty. Just goes to show that Ford and its dealerships doesnt care much for its customers while other brands will bend over backwards to make things right for you.

 

[Ls_Eater]

That's unfortunate. I know this is not apples to apples comparison but I have a 2010 Infiniti G37 sedan and around 57,xxx miles 1 of the 2 cats went bad and started to make a rattling sound. The dealership replaced BOTH of them in case the other cat might go bad in the near future and I will be out of the 5yr/60k miles warranty. Just goes to show that Ford and its dealerships doesnt care much for its customers while other brands will bend over backwards to make things right for you.

The people I work with at the dealership are awesome, however their Managers, and Corporate, both of which make the important decisions couldn't give two flying F*cks about the customer or providing customer service.

 

[MikeMM]

Not on a GT, but my GT350 had this issue within the first week of owning it. All I did to remedy it was drop the mufflers, unbolt the actuator, bang on the mufflers at all different angles to knock any small rocks or sand that may be binding it up, work the valve by hand multiple times to get things moving, and then lubed the absolute crap (literally drenched it multiple times) out of the valve spindle and top assembly the spring sits on with CLP (it's gun lube, but it works like a charm) until the valve cycled with minimal effort and I haven't had an issue since. Those actuators don't take a lot of resistance to trip them into basically "failsafe mode" where they won't try to cycle to avoid damaging themselves. I'd start there before spending the cash on an actuator.

 

[showbbq]

Besides lube I'd remove the little motor to make sure it's seated properly. I had to supervise and be real hands on at the muffler shop to make sure everything was installed properly.

 

[Ls_Eater]

Not on a GT, but my GT350 had this issue within the first week of owning it. All I did to remedy it was drop the mufflers, unbolt the actuator, bang on the mufflers at all different angles to knock any small rocks or sand that may be binding it up, work the valve by hand multiple times to get things moving, and then lubed the absolute crap (literally drenched it multiple times) out of the valve spindle and top assembly the spring sits on with CLP (it's gun lube, but it works like a charm) until the valve cycled with minimal effort and I haven't had an issue since. Those actuators don't take a lot of resistance to trip them into basically "failsafe mode" where they won't try to cycle to avoid damaging themselves. I'd start there before spending the cash on an actuator.

Really appreciate the response man, I'll be dropping the muffler tonight.

Hopefully the assembly is as easy to remove on the 18's as it is on the 350's!

 

[MikeMM]

Really appreciate the response man, I'll be dropping the muffler tonight.

Hopefully the assembly is as easy to remove on the 18's as it is on the 350's!

Any luck?

 

[Ls_Eater]

Any luck?

Pulled the Muffler and Removed the Actuator, Must be an entirely different piece than is used on the 350.

The 18's Actuator is entirely enclosed in Plastic and unable to be opened, I did confirm that the Valve itself opens and closes manually freely.

I took the Passenger Side Actuator and plugged it into the drivers side (Because I have confirmed that this side is functioning properly by watching the exhaust on vehicle start up).

Upon starting the car, it failed to move at all, leading me to believe that the Actuator itself is indeed dead, just to confirm, I moved the Driver side actuator over to the passenger side, and it still functioned properly.

New actuator is on the way!

 

[MikeMM]

Upon starting the car, it failed to move at all, leading me to believe that the Actuator itself is indeed dead,

RIP actuator lol. Glad you got it sorted though.

 

[Ls_Eater]

RIP actuator lol. Glad you got it sorted though.

Was pleasantly surprised to find out that the actuators just pulled off with 3 nuts.

As far as I had been reading online when customers had been having issues Ford had just been replacing the entire muffler, leading me to believe it would be a much more costly repair for a stock exhaust lol. This was the final gremlin that I've been chasing.

Hopefully I start enjoying her again now.

 

[MikeMM]

Was pleasantly surprised to find out that the actuators just pulled off with 3 nuts.

As far as I had been reading online when customers had been having issues Ford had just been replacing the entire muffler, leading me to believe it would be a much more costly repair for a stock exhaust lol. This was the final gremlin that I've been chasing.

Hopefully I start enjoying her again now.

Yeah they come off pretty easy. Positioning the spring to get them back on can be a bit of a pain though. I'd lube your valves just for good measure anyway.

 

[ChromaticGrey]

I know most of you guys love it. But this is why active exhaust doesn't interest me.

 

[Ls_Eater]

I know most of you guys love it. But this is why active exhaust doesn't interest me.

Sadly this was easily avoidable, I fucked up the wiring when I did my headers, when it grounded out it ruined the actuator.

Pretty much all my fault

Thankfully it’s fixed and I can enjoy the car again.

Sponsored