Is start/stop disabled?

[jniffen]

I remember seeing an “executive order” stating the start/stop feature would be eliminated.

I thought that would be for new vehicles, but in the last few weeks my 2023 Nautilus is not Stop/Starting.  It displays on the dash with a line through it.

If this is tied to the “EO”, couldn’t they have changed the setting to toggle on/off and simply stay in that mode, especially after turning off the engine.  Let the driver decide. 

With gas $$$ getting up there, I am hoping to squeeze every mile/gallon I can get. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, jniffen said:

I remember seeing an “executive order” stating the start/stop feature would be eliminated.

I thought that would be for new vehicles, but in the last few weeks my 2023 Nautilus is not Stop/Starting.  It displays on the dash with a line through it.

If this is tied to the “EO”, couldn’t they have changed the setting to toggle on/off and simply stay in that mode, especially after turning off the engine.  Let the driver decide. 

With gas $$$ getting up there, I am hoping to squeeze every mile/gallon I can get. 

Your battery is weak.  There is an info screen that should tell you why it doesn't activate.

[jniffen]

Just had it replaced last 4 months or so.

I’ll check for the info screen.

Thanks.

[twintornados]

Your replaced battery is either bad or they did not reset the BMS. 

[akirby]

2 hours ago, jniffen said:

Just had it replaced last 4 months or so.

I’ll check for the info screen.

Thanks.

Reset BMS.

 

To reset the Ford Battery Management System (BMS) after a battery change, turn the ignition on (engine off), flash high beams 5 times, and press the brake pedal 3 times. The battery light on the dash should flash, confirming the reset. 

[Motorpsychology]

On 5/6/2026 at 9:33 PM, jniffen said:

I remember seeing an “executive order” stating the start/stop feature would be eliminated.

I thought that would be for new vehicles, but in the last few weeks my 2023 Nautilus is not Stop/Starting.  It displays on the dash with a line through it.

If this is tied to the “EO”, couldn’t they have changed the setting to toggle on/off and simply stay in that mode, especially after turning off the engine.  Let the driver decide. 

With gas $$$ getting up there, I am hoping to squeeze every mile/gallon I can get. 

There are 13 or so  different parameters that can turn off stop/start.  In no particular order, the most common are: Start/Stop manually turned off, cold engine, weak battery State Of Charge, Tow/ Haul or Sport mode engaged/ Steering wheel angle past a certain degree- about 3/4 turn. Weak battery may be caused by driving several short distances where the battery is not getting charged fully.  A road trip of an hour or more will often bring the SOC in optimal range, and the S/S will start functioning again. Newer Fords have a Battery Maintenance System (BMS) which regulates the SOC in the battery.  "Fully" charged is 80% of cold crank capacity.

 

edit:  If you question whether the battery is indeed weak, any Ford or Lincoln dealer or place where batteries are sold can load test the battery to determine if it is losing it's ability to accept a charge. It takes only a minute or two and usually there is no charge; to your wallet, that is! 😎

Edited May 9 by Motorpsychology

[jniffen]

On 5/6/2026 at 10:56 PM, akirby said:

Your battery is weak.  There is an info screen that should tell you why it doesn't activate.

Haven’t been able to find the info screen you’ve mentioned.

Have a Thursday appointment to look it over and to investigate the occasional slipping in the transmission, which serviced at 30k. It’s at 38k now.

[michaelharrell]

On 5/9/2026 at 2:27 PM, Motorpsychology said:

There are 13 or so  different parameters that can turn off stop/start.  In no particular order, the most common are: Start/Stop manually turned off, cold engine, weak battery State Of Charge, Tow/ Haul or Sport mode engaged/ Steering wheel angle past a certain degree- about 3/4 turn. Weak battery may be caused by driving several short distances where the battery is not getting charged fully.  A road trip of an hour or more will often bring the SOC in optimal range, and the S/S will start functioning again. Newer Fords have a Battery Maintenance System (BMS) which regulates the SOC in the battery.  "Fully" charged is 80% of cold crank capacity.

 

edit:  If you question whether the battery is indeed weak, any Ford or Lincoln dealer or place where batteries are sold can load test the battery to determine if it is losing it's ability to accept a charge. It takes essay pay only a minute or two and usually there is no charge; to your wallet, that is! 😎

The battery seems to be the biggest culprit in a lot of these cases. I had a similar issue on my Ford where the auto stop/start stopped working for a while, and after a longer highway drive it suddenly started functioning again. I never would have guessed the system intentionally keeps the battery below a full charge. The load test suggestion is probably the best first step before replacing anything, especially since most places will check it for free.

Edited June 23 by michaelharrell

[Captainp4]

Trump turned it off himself with Forscan while you were sleeping

[jniffen]

Of course it started working again about a week before dropping it off at the dealership.
They reporting not being able to find anything and from my understanding, did make any changes.