[Fords4ever]

Has anyone seen this message?

I've been seeing it 30-60 seconds after startup the last few days. I can still change modes and it seems to work but I'm a little concerned about what might be causing the message.

 

[Tony Alonso]

It might be good to have a service department to look at it. Other people who have had this message have found the motors that open the muffler flaps not working properly. Some have seen that if they swtiched to an aftermarket exhaust and had a crimped wire going to those motors.


How does your exhaust volume sound? Do you hear a difference if you switch modes?

 

[Fords4ever]

Looks like I’m stuck in Normal exhaust mode. When I try to select a different mode it just doesn’t apply. I’m closing in on 7500 miles so I’ll be going to the dealer for oil change #2 soon and will have them fix this issue.

 

[ZEN357]

I think the flaps in the exhaust system is the stupidest thing they could ever do!!! What if you want to go aftermarket? Then you have these stupid motors you have deal with and either weld them into the new exhaust system or somehow delete them and program your ECM to disable them.

 

[pwd72s]

I think the flaps in the exhaust system is the stupidest thing they could ever do!!! What if you want to go aftermarket? Then you have these stupid motors you have deal with and either weld them into the new exhaust system or somehow delete them and program your ECM to disable them.

Well...that's just your opinion, man. One I happen to agree with. :grin2:

 

[Tony Alonso]

I think the flaps in the exhaust system is the stupidest thing they could ever do!!! What if you want to go aftermarket? Then you have these stupid motors you have deal with and either weld them into the new exhaust system or somehow delete them and program your ECM to disable them.

Well...that's just your opinion, man. One I happen to agree with. :grin2:

I find it to be one of the coolest things to ever do in the Mustang!



If you want to get an aftermarket system for the '19, there are options that work with the active exhaust set-up. You can also simply remove the resonator box if you are chasing a volume increase. I personally find it nuts that someone would change out the specifically engineered sound on the specifically engineered exhaust set-up because I feel it's an integral part of the Bullitt Mustang character. That being said, I know folks find other sounds appealing. Beauty is in the "ear of the beholder"

 

[pwd72s]

Tony, For what it's worth...exhaust on my '09 is stock. Sure don't want it any louder. But if somebody else wants to change theirs, okay by me.

 

[Sicilianjg]

I find it to be one of the coolest things to ever do in the Mustang!



If you want to get an aftermarket system for the '19, there are options that work with the active exhaust set-up. You can also simply remove the resonator box if you are chasing a volume increase. I personally find it nuts that someone would change out the specifically engineered sound on the specifically engineered exhaust set-up because I feel it's an integral part of the Bullitt Mustang character. That being said, I know folks find other sounds appealing. Beauty is in the "ear of the beholder"

Tony I can tell you it does not change the sound as a matter of fact to me it sounds better then the stock as long as you get the active exhaust kit with the aftermarket exhaust. I compared my Bullitt with a stock Bullitt and I have no regrets there is a difference. One thing I would say is my stock exhaust was all rusted out when I looked at it when it had only 600 miles. It looks like that's the way it came from the factory and those tips were faded out black going to gray.

Joe

 

[bullit4404]

A two pound Ball Peen hammer should adjust it to any position you like. Up here in the hinterland we have no choice, the Bullit comes fully loaded.
I was tempted last week when a 2018 GT 350 (Grey) could be had for $65 K CAD or $45 K US. It was ugly, so no.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Tony I can tell you it does not change the sound as a matter of fact to me it sounds better then the stock as long as you get the active exhaust kit with the aftermarket exhaust. I compared my Bullitt with a stock Bullitt and I have no regrets there is a difference. One thing I would say is my stock exhaust was all rusted out when I looked at it when it had only 600 miles. It looks like that's the way it came from the factory and those tips were faded out black going to gray.

Joe

Hi, Joe - on every video I've heard, either the pitch of the tone or the volume sounds different than what I hear from the stock set-up, even if it's just a bit. The one combination that I heard that was closest to it is a new Borla X-pipe that replaces the resonator. Of all the aftermarket manufacturers, I've often appreciated what Borla can do in terms of their engineering capability - they seem to get the "music" aspect of sound tuning, especially in combination with the factory set-up. I am not dissing anyone's choice of sound or engineering prowess of various companies, as exhaust sound a very personal thing. However, I can't justify spending the money on changing a sound in this car because the Ford engineers pay a lot of attention to this in the Bullitt. I've felt this way about the previous Bullitt Mustang models that have been produced ('01 and '08/'09).


A couple of provisos in my observations on the '19 Bullitt...1) sometimes what exhaust sounds like in person vs a video can be vastly different, 2) what an exhaust sounds like when the car is in motion vs not moving is different, and 3) I don't know how much influence there is of the sound enhancing technology for sound coming into the cabin when someone changes the stock system.


Some might lament there is more technical complexity in the exhaust set-up than past days, but the fact the engineers take the time and energy to try and capture the sounds of '60s era cars with today's regulations and constraints is very appreciated by me.


Sorry for the long response - the sound in the Bullitt Mustang is one of those "don't change" things for me It's good that you find your experience to be positive with your change!

 

[ZEN357]

I find it to be one of the coolest things to ever do in the Mustang!



If you want to get an aftermarket system for the '19, there are options that work with the active exhaust set-up. You can also simply remove the resonator box if you are chasing a volume increase. I personally find it nuts that someone would change out the specifically engineered sound on the specifically engineered exhaust set-up because I feel it's an integral part of the Bullitt Mustang character. That being said, I know folks find other sounds appealing. Beauty is in the "ear of the beholder"

It's just one more thing to break and need replaced. I have run muscle cars all my life and never had a need for some flap in the exhaust.

 

[Tony Alonso]

It's just one more thing to break and need replaced. I have run muscle cars all my life and never had a need for some flap in the exhaust.

I get the sentiment but automotive technology moves on. I remember when some people were not happy about a sound tube being installed starting with the 2010 model year Mustang GT, so your thoughts are not unheard of

 

[JackDW - 852]

Tony, I totally agree with your position. For my 08, I was considering upgrading the Mufflers (to KRs) to get a little more sound until I heard it from the outside. When I had the car dyno'ed (totally stock) and heard it from the outside at full throttle, I changed my mind. I really like the sound from the outside. What I hear on the inside, does not do the car justice.

I still consider trying a set of KR's (even found a set on the local Craigslist) but can't justify them for how I use the car. Mostly, road trips.

 

[nelsonbullitt]

Look carefull at driving modes and other settings. Some options are not available in every type of setting. I thought there was something wrong with my car at first.
My advice, check ALL settings first. Then take to the dealer.

 

[StangNut]

All exhaust modes are available in any driving mode though.

 

[Fords4ever]

Thanks for the suggestion but this is happening right after startup and before I do anything. I’m not trying to change drive modes or exhaust mode when this happens.

Having said that, my normal routine was to:
1. Start car
2. Plug in iPhone
3. Fasten seatbelt
4. Change mode to Sport+

Then last week it started displaying the Exhaust Mode Selection Not Available message during my steps 2-3 before i even touched the drive mode toggle switch. I have a dealer appointment on 5/31/19 for an oil change and they said they will assess the exhaust message issue and I also mentioned that the exterior trunk release button above the license plate randomly will not work. It’s very random, only happened three times in the last couple months but I want them to note it for the record.

My thought is that the system runs a check of connectivity to all systems including the muffler valves during startup and if it can’t successfully connect it throws up this message. I’ll definitely update here after the appointment though.

 

[Fords4ever]

I think I actually fixed this issue!

I have another thread about starting in another mode and in my search I discovered that although you cant do that automatically, you can start in Sport or Track by going into accessory mode before actually starting the car and then toggle using the switch to the desired mode and then depress the clutch and start up.

I tried this out and went to accessory mode, changed to Track using the toggle switch and then I went to the Pony button on the steering wheel to access the exhaust mode display and it showed that I was in fact in Track mode. I then changed through all the modes, Quiet, Normal etc. I then started the car and did not receive the Exhaust Mode Selection not Available message all day today.

A couple notes on this. With the engine off, if you toggle thru Quiet, Normal, Sport and Track exhaust modes, I can hear the baffle click Close when going to Quiet and then I hear the click Open when going to any other mode from Quiet. I don't hear anything when going from Normal to Sport to Track or vice versa which tells me the baffle probably just moves slightly within those modes and maybe even based on throttle position too possibly?

 

[ZEN357]

As soon as the aftermarket ECM's are able to be programmed to do away with the active exhaust, I woud opt for an ECM and a Borla ATAK Exhaust.

https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResultsPageCmd?N=900157&Ntt=atak&Tab=SKU

 

[Tony Alonso]

I think I actually fixed this issue!

I have another thread about starting in another mode and in my search I discovered that although you cant do that automatically, you can start in Sport or Track by going into accessory mode before actually starting the car and then toggle using the switch to the desired mode and then depress the clutch and start up.

I tried this out and went to accessory mode, changed to Track using the toggle switch and then I went to the Pony button on the steering wheel to access the exhaust mode display and it showed that I was in fact in Track mode. I then changed through all the modes, Quiet, Normal etc. I then started the car and did not receive the Exhaust Mode Selection not Available message all day today.

A couple notes on this. With the engine off, if you toggle thru Quiet, Normal, Sport and Track exhaust modes, I can hear the baffle click Close when going to Quiet and then I hear the click Open when going to any other mode from Quiet. I don't hear anything when going from Normal to Sport to Track or vice versa which tells me the baffle probably just moves slightly within those modes and maybe even based on throttle position too possibly?

That's a clever way to get what you want! Have you seen this video of the actual operation by mode? Yes, there is programming that affects the opening and closing, and I've heard the engineers say there is custom program specific to the Bullitt to get it to crack and pop more. I do believe you can see in the video where throttle position plays a role in the opening.


If you use "Quiet" mode as part of the time feature, it definitely closes the baffles all the way, but otherwise, when you start the car, it sounds loud. I have assumed that is while the car is warming up and then it switches into the variable performance.

 

[Fords4ever]

Tony, I did see that but I wasn’t sure if our Ford system works the same as the Borla system in the video. CORRECTION... I actually just noticed the caption at the bottom where it says Ford OE valves.