I’n new to this group and I recently bought an European Ford Mondeo hybrid from my2019. It’s a great car, but was a bit dissapointed when I found out that it does not have a TCU installed. I really wanted to be able to start the car remotely using the FordPass app. The car also does not have the remote start keys (which have limited range and FordPass does offer more information on the vehicle).
I found quite a lot of information for the TCU retrofit, but most information seems to be for the US market. I did however found this thread, showing it should be possible.
I found a JX7T14G229A TCU from a European Ford Focus MK4. Would this TCU part work, since it’s a J series TCU?
I do have Forscan with the recommended OBDlink VCI and a extensed license. The Fordpass app now says my 2019 hybrid is a 2015 model (even though it’s a facelift wagon).
That should work. Be aware that the feature set you get thru FordPass is dependent on Ford reporting to your app. There is nothing you can do about it, that is what they define for the vehicle.
The 2019 reported as a 2015 is a glitch in the Fordpass system. Most folks resolved it by deleting the vehicle, clearing the app, and adding their vehicle again.
Yes, those connectors are expensive.
Lots of experience making my own looms…
You’ll need to custom run cabling for your vehicle. I’m sure there is a harness from Ford, but pricey. Take a look in the vehicle. Being a 2019, there might be one installed already.
TCU mounting point in the 2019 Mondeo/Fusion is in the trunk on the back left side inner structure. Pull the trunk liner and if there’s a cable it will be in the area between the outer body and inner structure.
Here’s what the bracket looks like (which won’t be there) but you can use cable ties in the square holes it would mount to if you want to put it there.
Wouldn’t it be easier to source a US K-series from a Fusion, since that’s the part Ford used? Or is it not possible to change the region from US to EU? I can’t find a used TCU from a Mondeo/Fusion in the Netherlands, just the Focus MK4.
It seems to me a TCU that was sourced from a matching vehicle, will offer the highest compatibility/succesrate with lock/unlock and remote start functions. Then again I read K-series TCU’s should be flashed with J-series firmware.
You want an EU one to make things easier due to the supported carriers, and since you have a 2019 you should be just fine with the native K series.
Typically you only have to downgrade to J series firmware if you’re dropping a K series TCU (native HS4) into a vehicle that is native HS3 like a 2017-2018 Fusion/Mondeo.
For the config you would use one from a 2019 Mondeo that came with a TCU like say a Vignale.
You are correct in your thinking, but it is up to Ford what features are presented to you thru FordPass. Like F-150’s, Ford generally just has a more or less blanket template for the standard feature set presented thru FordPass. This could be the same for the Mondeo, however, yours is a hybrid, which adds some features accordingly.
Adding a K-series TCU to your vehicle will do nothing more than adding the J-series, since you would need to downgrade the unit to a J-series firmware. The hardware is no different between the two, it’s the firmware that makes the difference. (Within the same regions.)
Yes the TCU arrived. I bought mine from onderlijn.nl. I tried to locate the wiring loom in the trunk on the back left side inner structure. Unfortunately there was no cable.
Haven’t had time to further look into this. But I’ll post any updates on the project!
