Jump to content
Ford Transit Connect Forum
   

Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation on 04/08/2018 in all areas

  1. Other Ford owners have been able to make changes to the factory configuration of their vehicle’s computer modules. The F150 forums identified and changed dozens of options using a program called Forscan. But the configuration of the TC computer modules is different and requires a different approach. The Focus owners have been using a program called Foccus. This program has been working on Focus models up to 2016. I also found the Escape Forum guys used a more sophisticated function in Forscan to make several changes to 2017+ Escapes. Since the TC and Focus are built on the same platform, I wondered if we could use their program(s) to change setting in the TC. After some nervous trial and error, I found the Foccus program worked to change two functions on my 2016 TC-XLT: Global window closing using the key fob. High beam headlights and fog lights on at the same time (called Bambi-mode so you can see Bambi at night) Here are the details specific to my experience and links to well written tutorials on how to use Focccus and Forscan. Please read the attached forum links and tutorials for details on how to use these two programs. These modifications should work on 2014-2016 TCs BUT I HAVE ONLY TESTED IT ON MY 2016 TC, so proceed at your on risk. I am not an expert. Basic steps: Buy a high quality OBD II adapter (approx. $75) to link to the HS and MS CAN networks. See the Forscan tutorial for recommendations and cautions. Use Focccus to make the changes and load them into the Body Control Module (BCM) in your TC. YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL FACTORY CONFIGURATION in case you have any problems. You don’t need to make XML files. Use Forscan to clear the numerous DTC faults that are set by the procedure. Fix a residual problem/bug with a double horn honk when locking the doors. Here are the links. Please read thoroughly: Forscan Tutorial (OBD II specs. You will only use Forscan to clear DTCs) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-8dKaS_Spu4Zw4hV_CrKC4tLoP9G8yejqegF1wxIqxY/edit Forum post about Forscan (for reference) http://www.2gfusions.net/showthread.php?tid=4573 FOCCCUS forum topic (this is most applicable to Transit Connect) http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st-electronics/20866-focccus-pc-app-built-editor-all-around-reprogrammer.html FOCCCUS youtube (see others as needed.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d7XJ2ydV60 Now connect to your TC using Focccus. Then “read from BCM” to load the configuration into Focccus. NOW SAVE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION using the “save to file” button. Change setting #18 from "fog lamp US" to "fog lamp". Change setting #184 from "not set or disabled" to "global open/close B-Max" “Write to BCM” to load the changes. THIS IS THE CRITICAL STEP. Close Focccus after you are sure the write is complete. Open Forscan and clear all the DTCs. Test global closing by double press and hold the lock button on the key fob. The Bambi-mode causes some strange behavior that can be fixed. Locking the doors using the keyfob initiates a double lock (maybe lock then unlock?) and double horn honk. There appears to be a mis-set bit telling the TC that you are locking the doors remotely with the engine running. Here’s how I fixed/reset this error: Sit inside and close all the doors. Remove the key from the ignition, and lock the doors from the inside using the button on the door. Unlock the doors using the door button. If you have the perimeter alarm, lock yourself in the car using the keyfob. Wait for the alarm to set then open the door. The countdown beep will sound. Turn it off by pressing the unlock button. Now the doors should lock normally: one press w/o honk and two presses w/one honk. I could not fix this problem by loading the original file back into the BCM and this caused some stressful moments. I found a Focus owner had this same issue and he identified the lock/unlock fix. My addition of triggering the alarm may not be necessary but it worked and I did not want to go back and test every possibility. I did not try any other changes in Focccus because my TC has most of the options/functions listed. If you are daring, you can try adding other options using Focccus. But know that you are taking a chance and you need to be prepared to load the original file back into the BCM. But as I found with the double horn honk problem, there could be unexpected consequences. Dark Car Mode I saw the Explorer and F150 forums found a way to turn off the lights when the doors are opened (police or dark car mode). Focccus does not have this option. The Forscan or Focccus developers could reverse engineer this if there was enough interest and someone on this forum took the lead. Several people on this forum had the dealer activate this mode and having those configuration files will be the key.
    1 point
  2. Beta Don

    Looking to get a diesel

    Diesel engines have a lot going for them - Always have. They are especially good for constant RPM uses where multi-speed transmissions aren't needed, like boats and trains, heavy farm machinery and especially generating electricity. There are still many places where much of the electricity is generated using efficient single low speed diesel engines - Hawaii is one For transportation a diesel still makes some sense for heavy long haul trucks, but even for them the new rules are making diesels more problematic and we're going to be seeing more and more battery powered trucks in the near future - Even for long haul trucks. Emissions systems and regulations are making diesels less practical. For smaller vehicles, IMO, time and emissions have pretty much passed them by. You'll be buying yesterday's technology if you buy a 2019 van with a small diesel in it. For an around town grocery getter, a BEV or a hybrid makes much more sense . . . . and she won't get that smelly diesel on her going to church clothes The days of cheap diesel fuel behind us too - It will never be as cheap as gasoline again here in the USA, and as more regulations are put on it, the cost will only go up. Justifying a diesel because it's cheaper to run than a gas or especially a hybrid vehicle is gone too. Even a new Chevy Volt gets 40+ mpg running on gas alone and if you compare the total cost, using both gas and electric, it's much cheaper to run than any diesel If she liked her mini-van, she would love a small hybrid van which can do many of her trips not burning any fuel at all. You can forget about transmissions because electric vehicles with their high torque motors don't need to shift gears . . . . one less expensive part to fix or replace I can understand coming from an old diesel rabbit and then a newer TDI why you think you want to stay a 'diesel guy' for as long as you can, but I think your past positive experiences are probably coloring your judgement going forward. Times have changed . Is she really (be honest now) a 'diesel gal' too . . . . or would she rather drive something more practical? Don
    1 point
×
×
  • Create New...