madlock

Hmmmm. It's a little odd that it would be off-center with out a symmetrical counterpart no?, but it certainly seems sensible and I wouldn't question your observation. Many thanks.

No, I'm not referring to something ordered from the back pages of Hustler that arrives in plain brown wrapping. I'm referring to the plug located on the right portion of the rear bumper. Does anyone have any idea what purpose it serves and why it exists? I'm thinking of using it as an ad-hoc mounting location for a backup camera versus one of the other two possibilities of mounting it to the pop-out plate located atop the left door or simply drilling into the bumper to mount a circular camera which will display in the rearview mirror (with microphone and compass); and I'd appreciate any insight from anyone who may have already tried out any of these options or dabbled with their vehicles. Thanks in advance.

The very first North American "Transit Tuner". Don't forget the carbon fiber stickers and spoiler to make it lighter and more aerodynamic. Happy New Year P.S. Don't forget the resonating exhaust tip too. I hear it makes the engine more powerful.

Thanks. Will do. I've also noticed the rubber sleeve that connects the wiring and other supply feeds from the body to the rear doors doesn't always rest securely between the two and sometimes gets pinched between the door and frame.

Reminiscent of my prostate, the rear passenger side washer stream suddenly stopped. After a quick visit to my local dealer who blew some air through the nozzle, it once again sprays but with a very weak stream. I seem to recall both sides working relatively equally well, so I'm not sure if the weaker right side is typical, or if it still needs repair. Any comparative observations would be appreciated. Finally, does anyone know if the nozzle is made to be removed by the integral hex bolt beneath the wiper arm mount? Thanks again

There will be an all-electric before a diesel comes to the U.S.

Unfortunately, the settings aren't working as they're supposed to. And because both the software and operating are subject to crashing, certain system states, like whether the pre-programmed function buttons are back-lit, are often out-of-sync with the system and application settings in addition to the ways the overall system has problems syncing with the headlamp state and changing between day/night as it otherwise should. These aren't "hard wired" binary-state functions.

Only the GPS software is is Garmin. The day/night/auto control is function of the shell layer, not the GPS application alone.

Kudos for researching the matter far enough to involve the emergency flashers. Wow. That's persistence. As for the "Auto Mode", I am experiencing exactly the same thing. One would think with the myriad already-written pieces of code that are able to determine sunlight/dawn/sunset for any global coordinate at any date and the GPS providing that data, the auto display mode would be among the most bullet-proof features.

I'm just looking forward to scaling domestic production to provide the full spate of configuration options like the side door delete and dual wheelbase length configurations for us lowly North Americans.

Well, I wasn't necessarily offering feedback that I had intended to express to Ford as an opinion of record, nor would I necessarily hope for Ford to interpret anything I may express in this setting as being feedback I would like Ford to consider, or after having communicated my own opinions directly That Ford might mistakenly interpret a particular opinion as being more representative as it actually happens to be, but thank you for the effort nonetheless.

I've considered the wrap application or blocking-out the side windows by vinyl, but I much prefer the notion of a more secure and solid physical metal panel in lieu of the glass. As I wrote, any 2nd row passengers I might carry don't enjoy veto power. Has your not having removed the 2nd row resulted from difficulties you experienced when trying to do so? It should literally be as simple as the six-bolt removal and the proper wrench to do so. I've been looking at the parts diagramming, and nothing further should be impeding the removal. I'm really of two minds. Perhaps I just make the investment, using the tax benefits afforded under ARRA to buy a second one and drive the two to see which one I like better. I just don't know at this point. I just wish I didn't also suffer from the additional burdens of being so anally obsessive about certain things like hating the notion of replacing the FWS Computer with the stock head unit rather than just having a vehicle where the stock head unit was factory installed. I know, it's silly. I too agree that a "premium" interior option, even if only limited to the Wagon variant, would have been very nice, even at a price premium. Less "perfunctory" materials and a handful of nominal NVH improvements would elevate the TC to an entirely new level. That may be one thing Ford may have to compete with when the North American Doblo enters the market to compete. I'm still trying to work out all the moving pieces of the puzzle like how much the upfits I intend on adding (Sortimo) will improve the NVH and interior characteristics. The Sowaflex interior panels are very nice, and the Sobogrip flooring are really nice improvements to for the portions of the vehicle that extends behind the front row. Best of luck.

Sure. Tow it using a Flex. Otherwise, not without re-flashing or replacing the ECU/PCM, which would all but most assuredly send the powertrain warranty into oblivion.

A month or more into my XLT Wagon, I've made several discoveries, many born of my rush to purchase. While I enjoy the flexibility of the second passenger row, it's very-much at odds with my preference for solid sliding doors. While the matter can be remedied, it's a $1,100.00 modification. I've also been sorely disappointed in the implementation of the FWS computer. I suppose it's not an altogether poor proposition given its price point and my negative sentiment may be colored by the technical problems I've been encountering by its repeated and continual crashing; but I'd much rather invest in a more feature-rich, better implemented solution, even at a considerably higher cost. The fact of the matter is that apart from the convenience of being an in-dash system, it otherwise has no integration into the vehicle systems (as Ford's top-tier Navigation systems), so it really doesn't provide the same kind of bang-for-buck slickness (apart from Tool Link or the fleet management functions). It also happens to have been a rather amateurish implementation as it stands that has really left me flat despite my having made it such a primary criterion for the vehicle I chose. Another negative aspect of the configuration I chose is the very-odd obstructed rear view field of vision the windowed rear door frame creates. It's more distracting to me than functionally limiting; but given the additional cost of "caging" the rear (using the OEM Accessory part which is quite elegant) and the inherent security compromise the windowed doors create, I think I'd much prefer a TC with solid rear doors, foregoing the rear window altogether in favor of either a "live view" rear camera (something that would have been a real knock-out feature for the in-dash computer) or or just relying on the rear-view mirror and Reverse Sensing System altogether. While no other solution would have provided me with the 2nd row of seats I'd like to have to option of having/removing from the vehicle (by virtue of 6 bolts), I've decided I'd be much better-served by owning a very different TC configuration rather than the effort and expense of converting my present XLT wagon. I'd begin by buying an XLT 110A with all of the optional features, including RSC, save the in-dash computer, and I may have the opportunity to do so. I may very well choose to simply remove the second row of seats (and seatbelts) and trade-in what will essentially be an XLT Cargo Van without the floor extension and rubberized floor overlay. The cost delta between adding the floor extension and side window plugs to modify my existing and the trade loss would be nominal, especially given the additional existence of the in-dash computer which still has its original protective membrane covering its screen. I will then have the flexibility of installing the second seat row (and shoulder belt mounts) when it suits me given that the TC's primary use is for cargo rather than carrying additional passengers (any of whom I could tell to stop whining about the lack of windows on the sliding doors) I should be able to walk away having spent less than $1,000 for my lessons learned, all of which will be a fully deductible 2009 business expense, once all of the additional up-fitting costs to my current vehicle and other related expenses are taken into consideration. All in all, it's not a bad proposition at all. My only real regret, going forward, is the unavailability of Black or Silver in anything but a fully side and rear-windowed configuration, as the Panther Black has really grown on me.

I don't understand why you had to order it from the UK. Is it not available from any of the U.S. distributors? I'm nearly positive I've seen this at dealers.

Or... could have simply used the second key that came with the vehicle. The secure hood is an excellent feature given the susceptibility of many commercial fleet vehicles to battery theft and the additional protection it affords against easing theft and vandalism by engine compartment access. I'm much happier Ford was "thinking" about how to make the Connect the best vehicle it could be rather than obscure headlamp adjustment scenarios which most people would never do in the manner you've described.

Because the Transit Connect occupies a rather unique position in Ford's lineup as both a retail passenger vehicle and commercial truck (and not yet particularly well-supported in either), I've discovered, in addition to the need to become my own best advocate when trying to obtain information, the need to avoid presuming where I may (or may not) be able to find information. An interesting document appears on the Ford Commercial Trucks web site. It's part of the "Body Builders" sub-site intended to provide support to those who build-out vehicle bodies from stripped chassis and other cargo fitments. The first link leads to the Ford Body Builder Advisory Service Site: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/ The second link (by clicking on "Body Builder's Layout Book") leads to master model year directory at: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/bodybuild.html Within the 2010 Model Year Table of Contents is the section dedicated to the Transit Connect at: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/bodybuild.html The above document section contains several interesting and useful sections. It details exact dimensional measurements and the placement of key structural aspects and an electrical schematic (for those who can make sense of such things). It also includes a diagram noting the cargo floor extension that makes a Van from a Wagon. The direct link to the document is: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/bodybuild.html.

Pics?

Damn foreign cars.

Fresnels are indeed effective and inexpensive, but given that my rear windows will be obscured, it wouldn't be workable for me; but I do appreciate the suggestion.

Given the generally-bad experience I've been having with my Transit Connect (many of which are the result of bad luck, happenstance, and issues unrelated to the vehicle itself), I've decided to take the depreciation hit of trading it in once the rear-end collision damage is repaired. One of the features I'm keen to be rid of is the FWS Computer. While I'm sure others have found it useful, I just find it to be a poor implementation of technologies that are far better-performed by less expensive alternatives like handheld or netbook systems, even if it means foregoing dash-integrated navigation. One of the absolute worst aspects of the FWS I've found is its handsfree phone performance. It's like speaking from an echo chamber inside a toilet, and there just doesn't seem to be any way to improve its performance. Can anyone vouch for the performance of the Nokia system? It may become a criterion for the replacement vehicle, but only if it seems to be of good audio quality (within the context of the TC's somewhat noisy cabin). Thanks in advance.

Effectively having the category to itself for the time being, Ford's pretty-much free to define it. And being North America, without anyone going after the price point, that means an automatic transmission. If, and only if, the Doblo uses a manual option to considerably lower the entry-level price point, would Ford even be likely to consider adding a manual option. Although it already exists in the EU and elsewhere, just having to support it in the U.S. adds a whole additional layer to the cost factor. And as efficient as both small engines and current transmissions have become, combined with the all-electric version, adding a manual version to boost fuel economy is pretty-much a nonstarter. Hopefully the TC will have garnered so much marketshare and insinuated itself into so many fleets that FIAT will keep the Doblo where it belongs.

My system's crashing doesn't seem to be Bluetooth-related. Even with no devices paired, it still tells me FordWorkShell.exe (I think) has encountered a serious problem.... before seizing, which I believe is the basic menu interface. For the navigation to work, (and THIS took me some time to figure), the Garmin SD card has to be inserted, otherwise only basic highways exist to the system. Though even then, it's not always terrifically precise, certainly not nearly as precise as the Xanavi in-dash units or a discreet Garmin unit. I too have a terrible static and noise from the AUX port, almost as if there's a short or a wire isn't grounded or properly shielded. Had I ANY sense there would be so MANY challenges, I would have never opted for the system, no matter how convenient its placement or integrated navigation happens to be. Finally, I'm also terribly disappointed at how ham-fisted the whole interface is. I've seen shareware applications with more elegance and visual appeal. Hell, my iPhone does a better job.

When I read the thread title, I had flashbacks of a weekend I once spent in Manila.... Oh... nevermind. :o

Well, the preliminary status for the required replacement parts has arrived. It won't be until late December before many of the bumper and trim components are available (they're in Europe for the time being) and January until they're at the Ford Collision Repair Network shop for replacement. Beware owners. If your TC is struck, there may be a long wait involved for parts. :(