4G Modem replacement details

[cr08]

On 4/27/2022 at 1:34 PM, duskpearl said:

I have a 2013 Energi, and Ford has not contacted me about decommissioned functions caused by decommissioning of the 3G modem. I found out about ther modem issue through forums  after not being able to charge as well as experiencing other malfunctions in March 2022. I now have a non-electric Energi and no MyFordMobile or other way to communicate from within or outside the vehicle (and, FordPass will not activate for me); and, if I don't operate the vehicle at least every few days, the 12V battery depletes to a non-start condition.  I am very, very unhappy with Ford. After numerous communicatioins with dealers and Ford Customer Experience, I am told that there is no fix for a 2013 modem at this time (also, a dealer told me that there is a recent Ford notice to dealers to cease doing the upgrade on 2014- models because there are problems with the upgrade). Ford has given me no hope for if and when my vehicle can function as it was designed. Meanwhile, after accumulating 2/3 of my total 58,000 miles in electric mode, I am relegated to only internal combustion miles, and my charger cord hangs unused. If others of you are experiencing a horrible lack of care and concern from Ford (no matter the model or year of your Ford E vehicle), I think we should consider a class action lawsuit. Here is my April 14 response to Ford Customer Experience telling me there is no fix at this time:

 

" Thank you for responding to my concerns about the lack of functionality of my 2013 Fusion Energi as we initially discussed in our phone conversation. In the six times I contacted Ford Support, you are the only one of several who actually followed up after telling me I could expect a follow up from Ford. Although I appreciate your response to my concerns in our phone conversation, it should be self evident that the response does not address the serious fact that my vehicle does not function as Ford intended, and I accepted, when I purchased the vehicle in September 2013.

I told you and other Support staff that I was not convinced that I first needed to have my vehicle diagnosed at a Ford dealership when, in fact, you at Ford corporate have technical specialists who could tell me (and should have told me in writing!)  if my vehicle failure symptoms could be caused by lack of a functioning modem. Nevertheless, I went to a dealer for a diagnosis because you offered me no alternative even though I really wanted to talk to a Corporate PV specialist first. My experience trying to get information from dealers (prior to contacting Support) is that they either did not return my calls, or simply expressed that they did not have knowledge of the modem issue. 

The result of dealer diagnosis is as I expected--that the lack of a modem affects the ability of the vehicle to charge and communicate/transmit various functions internally and externally. Additionally, my 12V battery discharges to a non-start condition if the vehicle is not used for two days.

So, although my Fusion has been a great vehicle for me for 8 years now, it has become a nightmare. And, this should not have been the case but for Ford management mismanagement. It was common knowledge for some time that Level 3G modem service would ultimately transition to Level 4G. But, Ford waited until November 2021 to inform some electric vehicle owners that the Level 4 transition would occur around March 2022. And, then only  owners of 2014 and up vehicles were notified that they could buy a Level 4G upgrade kit. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF COMMUNICATION ABOUT MY 2013 Energi! (And, I am told by a dealer that there is a recent Ford notice stating that there are problems with modem upgrades, and they should be halted until further notice). 

And, now, your message simply tells me that there is no compatible modem for my 2013 Fusion at this time. It is unacceptable for Ford to, essentially, leave me with a vehicle which will not function as intended as a PV, and to not communicate with me to admit this technical problem and express a plan for resolution. It is not AT&T which caused this situation. It is the negligence of Ford. It is my intent to seek to form a class action lawsuit based upon a "fitness for purpose" principle. I have unnecessarily spent too much time with dealers and Ford Support searching answers which should have been provided to me by Ford."  

 

The non-functional 3G modem/app access is not going to prevent vehicle charging. If this is occuring, it is likely something else. Have you confirmed the vehicle has no charging related codes stored? EVSE functional?

 

The only remote thing that the modem may cause in relation to charging is if you had old Value Charge profiles set that are still active. A Master Reset in Sync should clear these out.

 

In the interim, and this MAY help the 12v drain issue (This may not be caused by the 3G modem and could likely be something else, but this is an option for ruling things out) you can pull the 'Cellular Passport' fuse to disable the modem entirely. This will remove any potential battery drain it MAY cause. As an added bonus, it will automatically cause any Go Times or Value Charge profiles to disappear/go inactive as these are operated directly in the modem/TCU.

Edited April 27, 2022 at 06:25 PM by cr08

[jtex]

On 4/27/2022 at 1:13 PM, cr08 said:

 

The non-functional 3G modem/app access is not going to prevent vehicle charging. If this is occuring, it is likely something else. Have you confirmed the vehicle has no charging related codes stored? EVSE functional?

 

The only remote thing that the modem may cause in relation to charging is if you had old Value Charge profiles set that are still active. A Master Reset in Sync should clear these out.

 

In the interim, and this MAY help the 12v drain issue (This may not be caused by the 3G modem and could likely be something else, but this is an option for ruling things out) you can pull the 'Cellular Passport' fuse to disable the modem entirely. This will remove any potential battery drain it MAY cause. As an added bonus, it will automatically cause any Go Times or Value Charge profiles to disappear/go inactive as these are operated directly in the modem/TCU.

I agree with that 100%.   Long after the 3G service was dead and I embarked on this project I frequently put the “now offline” 3G modem back in the car so I could at least manage manually via SYNC my charge profiles.  So basically the car was as before except  without any remote management capabilities.   Also long before starting on this adventure about a year after purchasing the car I was having odd SYNC behaviors (the USB links would go dead) and I did a SYNC reset, reset all my prefs, and all was fine.

 

BTW my 12v battery went on the decline after about 2.5 years.   Since replacing the 12v battery I have added a hidden (fused) 12v weatherproof SAE connector port to that battery so I can keep the car also plugged into a quality trickle charger when in the garage.   From what I have read in other forums if the 12v battery goes completely dead a bit of a challenging process begins to manually unlock a door, etc.

Edited April 27, 2022 at 06:52 PM by jtex

[Franny2016]

Diffee Ford in El Reno, OK has had my Fusion Energi for over a week now for what should have taken .7 hours labor. They are struggling to finish the software per the service manager who has lied to me 3 times with the last modem replacement.  I am beyond frustrated and need to know what to do next before I walk in and go all Madea on them. 

[duskpearl]

Thanks for contributing this information, folks.

 

Some companies are appreciative of those who buy their new technologies when first available (some call these buyers, "early adopters"), but this seems not the case with buyers of Ford Fusion Energi technology when it was new in 2013!

 

I would certainly be appreciative to hear from owners of 2013 Ford PV models.

[duskpearl]

Thanks for advice on getting my vehicle to charge and its 12v not discharging. The lack of PV charging and the 12v battery discharge occurred simultaneously. I wanted Ford Hdqtrs to inform me of the effects a dead modem would have with my 2013. But, when Ford Customer Experience several times told me they would elevate my issue to the PV section but didn't, and several times after that told me I should go to a dealer for diagnosis. I was reluctant (because 4 dealers ignored my calls or claimed lack of knowlwdge) because I felt Ford Hdqtrs should first tell me what to expect with a dead modem, and I don't trust dealers messing with my vehicle in a diagnosis.   But, just recently, I did visit a dsewaler, and itrs PV specialist said that I would not be able to charge and communicate witrh the PV systems. And, iut's my understanding that the 12v battery is charged from the PV system (including hybrid), not the engine. In any case, I will try the interventions suggested by CR08. BTW, my original 12v lasted for 7-8 years, and the cxurrent one is 1-2 yrs old. Thanks to all for inputs. 

[duskpearl]

Apologies for mis-spelling in previous message. I mistakenly touched return as I scrolled to proofread.

 

Franny2016, I was told by a dealer that a dealer notice was issued in about early April informing dealers to cease modem upgrades until Ford resolves installation problems.

[jtex]

On 4/27/2022 at 10:54 PM, duskpearl said:

Thanks for advice on getting my vehicle to charge and its 12v not discharging. The lack of PV charging and the 12v battery discharge occurred simultaneously. I wanted Ford Hdqtrs to inform me of the effects a dead modem would have with my 2013. But, when Ford Customer Experience several times told me they would elevate my issue to the PV section but didn't, and several times after that told me I should go to a dealer for diagnosis. I was reluctant (because 4 dealers ignored my calls or claimed lack of knowlwdge) because I felt Ford Hdqtrs should first tell me what to expect with a dead modem, and I don't trust dealers messing with my vehicle in a diagnosis.   But, just recently, I did visit a dsewaler, and itrs PV specialist said that I would not be able to charge and communicate witrh the PV systems. And, iut's my understanding that the 12v battery is charged from the PV system (including hybrid), not the engine. In any case, I will try the interventions suggested by CR08. BTW, my original 12v lasted for 7-8 years, and the cxurrent one is 1-2 yrs old. Thanks to all for inputs. 

I knew something was suspect with my >2 year old 12v battery when a few times each week I would  find in the morning upon getting into my FFE there was a message on the SYNC screen saying “system disabled to save battery” even though the car was plugged into live the 240v charging cable.  One of my theories was that perhaps the original 3G modem was pulling more power than normal due to the trying to find a 3G connection (this was after the ATT 3G shutdown) as in “ET trying to phone home” ?   

 

My battery charger has a “recover” mode, and I tried that to resurrect the battery (the charger’s screen said it was successful), but I would still get the messages on SYNC about “ . . .to save battery.”  Then I started reading the stories about awkward process one has to use to get in the car if the 12v battery fails and decided to replace the battery.   Ironically all the Ford dealers in the area were back ordered on that particular battery, but I learned  from a parts guy at one of the dealers that AutoZone carried the identical battery (rated 20% higher CCA) so I purchased it there.   Other than the 2020 FFE’s 12v battery having the external venting port it isn’t anything special so is likely susceptible to all the variables involved in lead acid battery life expectancy.  I found it interesting that on my 2020FFE the 12v battery was larger than the one in 12v in my 2015 Fusion Hybrid which did last >4 years, but that vehicle did not have a 7/24 modem (aka TCU) in it so perhaps Ford increased the battery size once they started using TCUs in these vehicles.

 

 

 

 

[jtex]

On 4/27/2022 at 8:11 PM, Franny2016 said:

Diffee Ford in El Reno, OK has had my Fusion Energi for over a week now for what should have taken .7 hours labor. They are struggling to finish the software per the service manager who has lied to me 3 times with the last modem replacement.  I am beyond frustrated and need to know what to do next before I walk in and go all Madea on them. 

IMHO you are completely justified in your concern since based on my direct experience with the DIY process documented on this forum (as well as the the related Cmax and F150 forums) there is no reason why if the dealer is having a challenge with the upgrade to 4G  they couldn’t put the dormant 3G TCU back in your car and offer the car back to you until they get the appropriate parts, figure it out etc.  Yes, with the 3G modem the car will be “off the grid” all the charging variables can be manually controlled via SYNC.

 

Regarding the actual time to accomplish the 4G upgrade if one is a tech that has done this multiple times so is familiar with all steps:

1) physical TCU 3G to 4G swap . . .  if the trim panels cooperate  . . . 15 minutes max.

2) TCU programming  . . .one would think the H series 4G replacement units were pre-configured by Ford, but even if not the firmware/config takes <2 hours (mine took exactly 54 minutes).

3) Then you have the activation sequence which via the connected car app and SYNC takes only a few minutes.

 

 

[duskpearl]

Agree. Process, as Ford tells dealers, should be .7 hr. But, as you mentioned, the dependent determinant is, "if one is a tech that has done this multiple times so is familiar with all steps"

[duskpearl]

Sync sends me to FordPass for controlling vehicle, but also notes that there needs to be an embedded modem to control a vehicle. Anyway, I've been trying FordPass on my laptop and cell for weeks, and have been unable to activate it (I'm sure it worked prior to modem decommissioning).? Wife is shopping (on gas!) now with Fusion. When she returns, I'll see if I can do anything with the vehicle systems, as has been suggested here, 

[jtex]

On 4/28/2022 at 12:48 PM, duskpearl said:

Sync sends me to FordPass for controlling vehicle, but also notes that there needs to be an embedded modem to control a vehicle. Anyway, I've been trying FordPass on my laptop and cell for weeks, and have been unable to activate it (I'm sure it worked prior to modem decommissioning).? Wife is shopping (on gas!) now with Fusion. When she returns, I'll see if I can do anything with the vehicle systems, as has been suggested here, 

If the 3G TCU (modem) is still installed in your vehicle (even though it can’t communicate over the airwaves) via Sync you should indeed be able to change your charge times and/or switch to “charge now.”

 

Fordpass (or MFM) via your smartphone or online are not relevant until a 4G modem (TCU) has been installed and configured in place of the 3G TCU.  Once your 4G TCU is installed (by the dealer or via DIY) you make a request to authorize the car (if DIY the “connected car” app is by far fastest) and then you will be prompted on SYNC to confirm.   Then Fordpass will start working.

 

I realize it is >10 pages of stuff, but there is a gold mine in this forum from pioneers much smarter than I am on this process.  So it is worth a read.  The Cmax forum on the same topic is full of great material too.

 

While a few dealers have left a number of FFE owners out to dry on the 3G ->4G upgrade a bunch of us DIY types have pulled it off.   For nearly a month now we have been able to use Fordpass via 4G for the identical functionality we had with MFM over 3G.

Edited April 28, 2022 at 10:10 PM by jtex

[duskpearl]

Thanks for the hopeful news. I will try again tomorrow. Heretofore, the Charge Now in the vehicle has not worked. I'll try the circuit breaker and other work-arounds suggested in this forum. If I'm unsuccessful, it may be that my 2013 model has an early model system which is different tha 2014- models.

[Titanium Tom]

Did Ford realize they dropped the FFE 3G to 4G modem upgrade ball and need new engineering talent?

 

April 28 (UPI) -- Ford is cutting out hundreds of engineering jobs in the United States in order to seek out new talent, the automaker said on the same day that it reported a first-quarter loss of more than $3 billion.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/04/28/ford-job-cuts-earnings/5701651143431/

 

[mfusion]

On 4/27/2022 at 9:10 AM, Locutus said:

I would call Ford's Customer Relationship Center at (800) 392-3673 and let them know your experience with the dealer.  When I had the upgrade performed, someone from the executive offices contacted my dealer and told them exactly what needed to be done to return most of MyFord Mobile's functionality to FordPass Connect.

Thanks for suggestion..   I understand the dealer had bad experiences with trying to get earlier attempts to work - maybe they have had some recent success.   I will follow up with dealer first - but really don't want to push the issue until there is a clear path for it to work. 

We can wait a little longer for the upgrade - don't want to deal with multiple trips and/or down time.

 

[mfusion]

For the DIY success owners - are you purchasing a related modem that is less expensive then $310+ the

part department is charging - which I believe includes the antenna and cables per the instructions.

 

I am considering purchasing (again since they cancelled my last order) and just completing install myself.

If there some money to be saved would like to hear about that.

 

I know the part numbers are listed somewhere in the related forums - didn't catch if the 

TCU part Ford is selling for upgrade over laps with  part numbers for other vehices etc.

 

[jtex]

On 4/29/2022 at 11:46 AM, mfusion said:

For the DIY success owners - are you purchasing a related modem that is less expensive then $310+ the

part department is charging - which I believe includes the antenna and cables per the instructions.

 

I am considering purchasing (again since they cancelled my last order) and just completing install myself.

If there some money to be saved would like to hear about that.

 

I know the part numbers are listed somewhere in the related forums - didn't catch if the 

TCU part Ford is selling for upgrade over laps with  part numbers for other vehices etc.

 

Hi . . .sounds like you are about to take the DIY journey.  

 

I recommend you read this entire forum first where will you will learn about the “H” TCU units that are required.  Via eBay they are available for typically less than $200, but of course there is no guarantee.  Rumor has it that the units that Ford uses are “renewed” so if you get a good one on eBay used may be irrelevant.   Then you need to pick and get the antenna (about $35 from Ford and $20 from Amazon, but the Amazon one will cause a harmless DTC code).   

 

Getting Forscan setup properly, getting the correct cable, having a 6am battery charger on the 12v battery, proper settings for the TCU after you have updated the TCU firmware,  having the URL handy for the connected car app needed for activiation, and even watching a YouTube video about how to get the rear package shelf out are all key steps.

[mfusion]

On 4/29/2022 at 12:33 PM, jtex said:

Getting Forscan setup properly, getting the correct cable, having a 6am battery charger on the 12v battery, proper settings for the TCU after you have updated the TCU firmware,  having the URL handy for the connected car app needed for activiation, and even watching a YouTube video about how to get the rear package shelf out are all key steps.

I think I have/understand everything except for a cable?  Can Forscan be used with OBDLink MX+ via bluetooth?

[jtex]

On 4/29/2022 at 5:41 PM, mfusion said:

I think I have/understand everything except for a cable?  Can Forscan be used with OBDLink MX+ via bluetooth?

The Bluetooth version will work OK for basic DTC codes and minor configuration adjustments, but not only is bluetooth clearly not supported by Forscan in their online documentation I can share via personal experience that it will not work for the important firmware updates that you will need to do for the TCU.   Indeed even though other forum members advised me against the bluetooth I tried it, had lots of issues, and wasted lots of time.

 

If your laptop is USB 3.0 you also must use a USB 2.0 hub to force down the speed.

 

All of this and lots of other crucial stuff is documented in detail in this forum and the related CMAX forum.   It may take a bit of time to read through both forums, but it is highly recommended.  

[Titanium Tom]

I stopped at my Ford dealership this morning and they received notice from Ford dated April 29th to cease ALL 21B09 CSP conversions of 3G to 4G modems until the end of May because their engineers are still working on the conversion. So the problem is not just with the Ford Fusion Energi model.

 

When I check my VIN number today for a CSP it reports it as invalid when I know it was correct❗ What's up with that❗

 

https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/

[jtex]

On 5/2/2022 at 8:26 AM, Titanium Tom said:

I stopped at my Ford dealership this morning and they received notice from Ford dated April 29th to cease ALL 21B09 CSP conversions of 3G to 4G modems until the end of May because their engineers are still working on the conversion. So the problem is not just with the Ford Fusion Energi model.

 

When I check my VIN number today for a CSP it reports it as invalid when I know it was correct❗ What's up with that❗

 

https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/

Great Intel….Thanks!

 

Hopefully somehow around the end of May we will find out the changes Ford came up with during the pause….TCU firmware to “UP?”, TCU settings change? Other ?

[Locutus]

On 5/2/2022 at 9:44 AM, jtex said:

Great Intel….Thanks!

 

Hopefully somehow around the end of May we will find out the changes Ford came up with during the pause….TCU firmware to “UP?”, TCU settings change? Other ?

Who knows.  The CSP is or was supposed to expire in May.

[Titanium Tom]

On 5/2/2022 at 9:50 AM, Locutus said:

Who knows.  The CSP is or was supposed to expire in May.

Exactly, that was on my mind when I spoke with the dealership service department but didn't say anything because they don't write the rule book.?

[bookemdano]

To add onto the news @Titanium Tom posted above, this morning a knowledgeable person in the Cyanlabs discord said that Ford has extended the 21B09 program through 3/2023. No word on if they'll expand it to cover more cars, but at least this gives us some hope that they realize they screwed this up and are working on it.

[Titanium Tom]

But to put this into perspective, we are complaining about automotive network technology when our country was almost overthrown, have been living through a pandemic, and we may be entering a nuclear world war III.

 

I hope I get my Ford Fusion Energi connected to the 4G network before I get vaporized!

Edited May 2, 2022 at 04:04 PM by Titanium Tom

[bookemdano]

On 5/2/2022 at 11:03 AM, Titanium Tom said:

But to put this into perspective, we are complaining about automotive network technology when our country was almost overthrown, have been living through a pandemic, and we may be entering a nuclear world war III.

 

I hope I get my Ford Fusion Energi connected to the 4G network before I get vaporized!

 

Well I mean yeah, a nuclear war may reduce the importance of LTE telematics on our cars a little bit ?

 

In all seriousness though, let's try to keep this thread on-topic.