So I have found a lot of information in the forums on retrofitting a TCU into a Ford. I also found a wiring diagram for a later model Mustang. From that I have a few questions.
In one diagram it appears the in that model year mustang the TCU gets power from pin 16 on the BCM. Will that be the same for my model year or should I look for power elsewhere. In that diagram I did not see where it goes to ground. Not sure if any ground will do or if it has to be a specific point.
In another diagram, it appears that it has two places it has connection to the hscan. Do I have to replicate that or can I pick just one point or can I find the closest point and connect it there to the network.
One last question. Does anyone know the current draw of the TCU. Was contemplating running CAT6 cable from the TCU in the trunk up to the dash and using one twisted pair to carry power to the TCU. I don’t think it would take any more power than an access point getting power over ethernet so it should be fine.
You can use most any constant +12 volts source, does not have to be the BCM.
HS3-CAN, anywhere on the buss. Make sure the polarity is correct and you use twisted pair wire. Stripping out CAT5E works pretty well…
This would suffice. But, CAT6 is rather stiff. CAT5 would be easier for installation. Either cable can carry the power and data just fine as the top end of HS-CAN is 500Mbs.
And a 2015 Mustang was the first year for CGEA 1.3 for that model, so the TCU should work fine.
One other question. There are two FAKRA connectors on the TCU. There is also an antenna splitter/combiner module in the trunk as well. Wish I have better access to Fords information as the few diagrams I do have access to, it is unclear how they are connected or even if the splitter/combiner module is needed.
Some information I have found suggest that you just connect one PIFA antenna to each FAKRA connecter on the TCU. Other implies one PIFA antenna and the other an external GPS/XM(/?LTE) antenna.
Stuff that includes the splitter/combiner module shows it connecting it one of the TCU FAKRA connectors and two antennas one of which looks to be a PIFA and the other I am not sure.
I am probably over thinking this is my problem. I am trying to have both Fordpass and hotspot capabilities. The TCU is one that is on the list with hotspot capabilities. Any help to clarify this would be greatly appreciated.
TCU’s:
J, K and L-series TCU’s come in about 3 flavors…
TCU with no Wi-Fi or location services. One purple antenna port.
TCU with Wi-Fi, no location services. One purple antenna port, one tan antenna port.
TCU with Wi-Fi and emergency services. (EU region) One purple antenna port, one tan antenna port, GSM antenna port for location services.
Antenna ports:
Purple FAKRA port is a cellular TX/RX antenna port for a cellular antenna, style of antenna is dependent on region.
Tan FAKRA port is a cellular RX only antenna port for a cellular antenna, style of antenna is dependent on region. This is used to improve the reception for the wifi hotspot function. This is NOT the Wi-Fi antenna, which is internal to the unit on the circuit board.
GSM antenna port for location services, EU TCU. This is a EU mandated thing.
Hotspot function:
This is for local vehicle Wi-Fi network connected to the vehicle. The TCU hosts the Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi service is thru a cellular carrier and is a paid service.
So, if you are going to use the Wi-Fi hotspot, you should connect a second antenna to the tan antenna port for more stable Wi-Fi performance. This does not necessarily increase speed, rather it helps prevent dropouts.
As far as the type of antennas to use, the PIFA antennas are far superior in performance than the cheap stick antennas sold by Bingfu and others. It is important to mount the PIFA antennas correctly, with a bolt and fastener to the vehicle metal body which is grounded to the battery. The antenna must have a proper ground plane to function optimally.
You do not have to use any splitters or the like for the TCU antennas, unless you are using a shark fin type GSM/GPS combination antenna. The PIFA antennas work connected directly to the TCU.
So got everything installed - TCU and two PIFA antennas.
Fordpass activated and WiFi Hotspot activated.
In the Fordpass app I can see fuel level, DTE, Oil life remaining, washer fluid level, and tire pressures although they are not showing any pressures yet.
I dont have remote start, lock or unlock options.
Location is not available. I do have sync analytics and diagnostics sharing on if that makes a difference.
Tire pressures need to be driven about 2-4 miles before they will be reported.
It could take a day or two for everything to catch up. Close the app on your phone, log out first. Reboot the phone and then log back into the app to see if it’s just a cache issue. This seems to be an issue with FP.
Fair enough. Currently have location, sound horn, TPM, oil life, washer fluid, feul level, and DTE working. No remote start, lock/unlock options available as of yet. Not quite 24 hours yet since activated.
Observation: in the wite up APIM & TCU Files and Programming 20220108.pdf the section on BCM programming states:
When I make that programming change I get a DTC for the BCM stating that the Trailer Braking Module is not present in Forscan. So I toggled that back off.
I do see in the asbuilt database that the TCU has an option for Tracking and Blocking. Have not toggled that on as of yet.
Question: what is Tracking and Blocking and what does it do?
Will give it a few more days to see if tge missing options populate in Fordpass.
That’s ok, since the location is showing you’re good. That is old data I should have removed from the doc…ignore this.
You have these set?
Enable Remote Start:
BCM: 726-22-02: xxx1 xxxx xxxx
IPC: 720-02-02: xxxx Axxx
Tracking and Blocking as related to the TCU is the ability to track the vehicle and collect data about the vehicle for FordPass. Blocking is the ability to block features and/or data collection, etc., features of the TCU. It is normally set to OFF in the TCU configuration.
I just realized you are putting this in a 2015 Mustang. A TCU will never do more than location for you. Locks and remote start will sadly never work. For the most part it will not give you any alerts over Ford Pass either.
You can also try changing
754G2G103A001
to
754G2G11B2099
You will need to reboot the TCU for the changes to take affect.
Maybe, but you can update the firmware in the existing GWM, as they are the same hardware. If you do, update to at least 2017 firmware. I have a 2015 F-150 Platinum that I updated the GWM for other reasons to 2019 firmware, works fine. I also have the 2 changes to the asbuilt in the TCU and have everything working. That’s everything an F-150 would be entitled to, like remote start, locking, health monitoring, etc.
When i get back in town tomorrow i will give it a go.
How can I tell/get the firmware for the GWM for other years.
I know with Forscan I can download/update the firmware for different modules which I did for the TCU for tbis mod. What I do not know is if can tell what year firmware to download and install.
