[Bglass1223]

I have a 2014 Ford Taurus SEL & just found out my AGS (Active Grille Shutter) is cracked, and was hanging down under the car. However, I managed to push it back up in where it won't drag until I am able to either remove it or have it replaced.
So my questions are..

1. Can I remove my AGS? Will it cause any problems, or potentially cause damage to my radiator?

2. Am I able to just remove it, and drive the car without replacing it?

I've seen many forums where people have removed them to apply lights, etc. And from what I have read the only purpose that it serves is to help maintain better gas mileage as well as air flow. (one page I read that after removing the AGS it made the engine seize? but that was on a Dodge forum.)
TIA!

 

[ice445]

You can remove it with no issues. Typically if you unplug it, it sets a BCM code but shouldn't trip the check engine light. I've heard some rare cases where it does. If you wanna be super safe leave it plugged in but remove all the pieces that you can and tuck it out of the way.

It is just for better mpg and faster warmup in winter.

 

[Bglass1223]

You can remove it with no issues. Typically if you unplug it, it sets a BCM code but shouldn't trip the check engine light. I've heard some rare cases where it does. If you wanna be super safe leave it plugged in but remove all the pieces that you can and tuck it out of the way.

It is just for better mpg and faster warmup in winter.

Thank you so so much!!!

 

[XLR8]

I have a 2014 Ford Taurus SEL & just found out my AGS (Active Grille Shutter) is cracked, and was hanging down under the car. However, I managed to push it back up in where it won't drag until I am able to either remove it or have it replaced.
So my questions are..

1. Can I remove my AGS? Will it cause any problems, or potentially cause damage to my radiator?

2. Am I able to just remove it, and drive the car without replacing it?

I've seen many forums where people have removed them to apply lights, etc. And from what I have read the only purpose that it serves is to help maintain better gas mileage as well as air flow. (one page I read that after removing the AGS it made the engine seize? but that was on a Dodge forum.)
TIA!

I have a 2015 SE with the AGS removed by the previous owner. The only issue I've encountered due to having the AGS removed is that my hood would shake/flutter quite a bit above 85 MPH due to increased air pressure beneath the hood. When I replaced the AGS, the shaking/fluttering stopped.

 

[XLR8]

I have a 2014 Ford Taurus SEL & just found out my AGS (Active Grille Shutter) is cracked, and was hanging down under the car. However, I managed to push it back up in where it won't drag until I am able to either remove it or have it replaced.
So my questions are..

1. Can I remove my AGS? Will it cause any problems, or potentially cause damage to my radiator?

2. Am I able to just remove it, and drive the car without replacing it?

I've seen many forums where people have removed them to apply lights, etc. And from what I have read the only purpose that it serves is to help maintain better gas mileage as well as air flow. (one page I read that after removing the AGS it made the engine seize? but that was on a Dodge forum.)
TIA!

By the way, my car has 49K miles on it. It had 19K on it when I bought it. So 30K miles with no AGS, and no real issues.

 

[XLR8]

I have a 2014 Ford Taurus SEL & just found out my AGS (Active Grille Shutter) is cracked, and was hanging down under the car. However, I managed to push it back up in where it won't drag until I am able to either remove it or have it replaced.
So my questions are..

1. Can I remove my AGS? Will it cause any problems, or potentially cause damage to my radiator?

2. Am I able to just remove it, and drive the car without replacing it?

I've seen many forums where people have removed them to apply lights, etc. And from what I have read the only purpose that it serves is to help maintain better gas mileage as well as air flow. (one page I read that after removing the AGS it made the engine seize? but that was on a Dodge forum.)
TIA!

In case you're interested, here's what the Ford Service Manual says about the AGS for your year/model.

The grille shutter system (when equipped) is comprised of the grille shutter assembly and the grille shutter actuator. The grille shutter system is primarily used to maximize fuel economy by reducing aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The grille shutter system is also used to shorten engine warm-up time, increasing engine efficiency and providing heat to the vehicle occupants in a timely manner. The grille shutter actuator receives position commands from the PCM. The grille shutter system carries out a calibration sequence whenever the engine is started, fully opening and closing the shutters before being positioned in the programmed position as requested by the PCM.

During normal operation, the grille shutter may be partially to fully open when the engine is off. When the engine is started and ambient temperature is above 1° C (34° F), a calibration of the grille shutter system occurs, which typically takes 15-20 seconds. The grille shutter system performs the calibration sequence by detecting the end positions, open and closed. The calibration sequence can begin in either direction, open or closed, and continues until it is successful or a fault is sensed. A long pause may occur between the 2 portions (open/close) of the calibration sequence. Calibration of the grille shutter system cannot be manually requested, it only occurs as determined by the grille shutter actuator. If certain faults are present (shutter blocked or actuator error), a recalibration is initiated in an attempt to resolve the problem. If the problem is not resolved after a calibrated number of attempts (usually 3 or 4), a timer starts and sets a DTC when the timer reaches a predetermined limit. Other faults also trigger a recalibration request, but not until a grille shutter DTC is set in the PCM.

The PCM communicates the desired position (open or closed) of the grille shutter based on various PCM inputs (vehicle speed, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, A/C system pressure, etc.). The PCM communicates to the grille shutter actuator via a LIN . The LIN supports bi-directional communication between the grille shutter actuator and PCM, allowing the grille shutter actuator to communicate position and fault information to the PCM.

The PCM sets grille shutter DTCs when the fault information is communicated by the grille shutter actuator for a predetermined amount of time. Any failures of the LIN for over 10 seconds continuously results in the grille shutter actuator positioning the grille shutter fully open. There is no indication to the driver of the vehicle when a fault with the grilled shutter system is present or a grille shutter DTC is set in the PCM.