HELLO ALL YOU FELLOW HAPPY (DISGRUNTLED) CAMPERS.
Are you plain SICK AND TIRED of the STUPID "Perimeter lights" (aka: courtesy lights, courtesy lights, etc ad naseum) staying on when you are camping, in a quiet spot of the woods, wherever you wish to go unnoticed? I finally found / got the answer and the fix. It is as follows:
JULY 20 2018 _ DISABLING 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT TITANIUM PERIMETER LIGHTING_POLICE DARK MODE (Please note: This will work for 2014-2017 Transit Connect vans):
SSM 46321 – (Dark mode) for 2014-2017 Transit Connect - Battery Drain Due to Frequent Door Openings and Approach Light Strategy).
Ford has come out with a firmware update for the TC's Body Control Module. When your vehicle's module had been updated with the new firmware, the tech will be able to access the menu to turn off the lighting. The software update and programming change was covered under warranty. Others TC owners confirm that the 2016 transit connect titanium can have this function disabled. At an online TC forum; many others with the same complaint were able to disable this feature under warrantee by having the “BCM” and/or the “PCM” upgraded/reprogrammed. After this is accomplished, the service tech needs to find the proper “box” to check off (disable) this “feature”.
Two steps to perform:
1) Update the BCM. (If the vehicle was built on or before 11-Dec-2016, reprogram the BCM to the latest calibration using IDS release 103.05 and higher. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraft.com. Prior year vans need to have the BCM updated first as step one of the SSM. Vans built after 12-11-16 already have the updates for the dark mode loaded in their BCM version).
2) Set the approach lights to dark mode. For all vehicles access the BCM Configuration Parameters. Select -> Module Programming -> Programmable Parameters -> Personality -> Approach Light -> Choose “Disable” and follow the screen prompts to completion. (It takes about 15 minutes). If there are problems setting the dark mode, (if the service technician can see the option in the programming, but it won't let him save the change or move out of that screen, it may be the programming device but probably not the van. Also, it may be that the PCM might have been updated instead of BCM. Disabling will not work without doing updating the BCM first if the Transit Connect was built prior to that 2016 date in the document). If this is the case, the dealer will have to update the BCM, then disable the perimeter lighting, then enable (again the perimeter lighting, then once again "disable" the perimeter lighting - AFTER performing the software/firmware update.
(Updated BCM codes: The SMM uses the term "Approach Light" per below:
The print out the dealer gave me for what my van BCM shows: Approach Light - (BdyCM) = Disabled).
You can check the history of your vehicle at http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicle/softwareUpgrades.do -> Summary -> History (registration as an independent operator is mandatory - and free). This enables you to cross-check to see if any changes have occurred since your vehicle was first built. This means that you now have the means to verify statements made by dealers or garages. (If no updates to the BCM are flagged the dates shown are the original manufacture dates).
Police Dark (Stealth) Mode - keeps your interior (and Pony) lights off when you enter/exit/turn off vehicle BCM 726-32-01 : xxxx x?xx xxxx Change ? To: 0-Disable (off-default), 1-Enable (on)
When the dealer updates the BCM they need to activate dark mode. Check the Ford ETIS for your VIN before and after you have your BCM updated to see if that BCM status changes. Here's the link, (First register and create a free account: https://www.etis.ford.com/home/about.do
I am VERY please to state that my 2016 ford transit connect van (built Mar 14 2016) is now in the "Police Dark Mode" - and I am not waking / irritating any fellow campers around me, not draining my battery dead.
YEAHHHH...!!!! I wis the best for you. PS: There should be NO CHARGE from dealers to "update" this annoying software.
Mr peabody56