windguy

@Don - Great write-up. Thanks for sharing. One issue for setting dark mode in a 2014-2015 TC is that the BCM software has to be upgraded first. 2016 and newer BCM already has the dark mode option programmed in. Do you think there a way to do this outside going to a Ford dealer using these tools? An independent mechanic must have the capability to get software updates for Ford vehicles so I take it it's not a Ford dealer exclusive thing. Considering I had two different dealers try to set the dark mode option for me and first updating the BCM and Ford ETIS still doesn't show my BCM being upgraded, I have a big question mark as to why this couldn't be easily done. Perhaps they weren't writing the changes to the BCM as you explained in your procedure. One dealer even gave me printouts showing Dark mode was enabled but that may come from the program they were using and not from the actual BCM setting. Based on your procedure you don't actually edit the BCM but upload the BCM configuration to a programming tool, edit that configuration, then push that configuration back to the BCM. The BCM doesn't have its own menu driven function to make changes. Regarding your changes made, I'd like to have the high beams on at the same time as the fog lights for full visibility. I don't like having it be one or the other. Driving on dark canyon roads I want to be able to see as much as possible. I have had deer dart out in front of me several times and other obstacles I wish I avoided. Side issue. I wish the passenger window for my cargo van had a one button down option like the driver side. Is that available on a wagon version or titanium?

There are few threads regarding sound proofing. Use the search option. Try this one http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/6555-sound-deadening-solution-for-noisy-vans/?tab=comments&_fromLogin=1 I have a 2015 cargo van and have bought sound proofing material to be installed this spring. Needs to be warm outside >53deg F. Most of the major sound proofing suppliers recommend two layers of material, a sound deadener material and then a thermal/sound mat over that. I first bought a box of Noico 80mil but felt it was too heavy to put on the ceiling so I plan to use that for the floor area only and perhaps the rear side panels in the back. I then bought a box of Kilmat 50mil for the ceiling, sliding door and rear barn doors. It's 1/2 the weight of the Noice 80mil. Both distributed by the same company through Amazon and Noico products are made in the Republic of Russia. Seriously. I never bought anything made in Russia. I also bought two boxes of the Noico 150mil mat liner to cover all areas with sound proofing plus the required roller for the sound proofing install. About $243 for all materials. For short drives by myself the road noise isn't an issue as I just turn up the radio. But for extended road trips with my wife it's very noticeable and somewhat annoying. Looking forward to this project. I'll provide updates after I do the install.

@bikinchris - glad you finally got your racks installed. no pics? To access the inside of the front mounting hole, you do have to remove the headliner. I also considered doing so but it seems like too much work with potential for collateral damage. I peeked inside the area by gently pulling down the back side of the headliner and with a flashlight I can see the forward mounting hole and also the airbag, which is well below the mounting hole and folded neatly and held in place with some type of cloth tie. Between the airbag and the roof is a metal flange that has some curvature to it. I don't believe there would be any reason to remove the airbag if you wanted to use the forward most mounting hole and using it would not affect the air bag in any manner. I think that is an urban myth with the TC, but those are just my observations. More discussion in a rack thread I posted a while back, link below, where I mounted tracks in the channel so the rails were adjustable. Just another install option. I also removed those gray/black foam pieces above the slider door tracks shortly after I got the van. They didn't seem to serve a useful purpose and looked kind of funky. Glad I got rid of them. http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/6632-gen-2-roof-racks-tracks-install/?tab=comments#comment-21818

Thanks for your post. Yes, I printed out a copy of the PDF I posted earlier from others input just for that reason. I showed it to the service advisor but he wouldn't take it, even on my insistence. He did show me the identical information on his computer screen under the SSM in the Ford system so I relented to his methods. Presumably that's what the tech was reading. Did the tech follow these instructions? Hard to say. The work order was done under the 3yr warranty so payment wasn't an issue. And no, not done at the dealer I bought the van at. I've never been back to that dealership as they are a ways away with numerous Ford dealers in between. I only bought it from there because they were enrolled in the Costco auto buying program. No reason to go back. The one difference between your van and mine might be that vans built after 12-11-16 already have the updates for the dark mode loaded in their BCM version. Prior year vans need to have the BCM updated first as step one of the SSM, and that's where I think they are failing to get this done properly as Ford ETIS does not show my vehicle's BCM as being updated since the factory build date.

I see you have an emergency tool in the glove box. Very cool. I just got a pair recently for both cars and I'm storing it in the center console. Doesn't fit that great because I chose a longer model for easier grip, but I think it's more accessible in the center console than the glove box. If your seat belt retractor is jammed and you're alone, there's no way you'll be able to reach that tool in the glove box to cut your way out. Something to think about.

@jackgrimshaw - congrats on getting the dark mode enabled. What year is your TC? I'm jealous. I've now gone to two different dealers and neither one can figure out how to properly execute the SSM. So frustrating. With the second dealer, the first appointment (1.5hrs) later resulted in no change. Went back a 2nd time after they updated their computer and had two different techs give it a try. Two hours later, same result, no change. Service Advisor showed me a printout showing that the approach lights were disabled but it doesn't work. Service advisor said he'd check with Ford but it's been over a month now. I wish I could have my service advisor contact the tech that was able to get yours done for a consult on how to do this. I've all but given up hope on getting this change made. When I check my vehicle under Ford ETIS, it shows the BCM version as never being updated. Still shows the factory build date and no change history. If the dealer updated the BCM, as required to make this change, I would expect to see that update under ETIS per what a previous poster had shown.

@alvin - looks great. Safe travels!

Thanks Alvin. I found the thread I referred to, link below. I'm ready to give this a try. I think it will be easier to work on the flooring area with the side panels off and then add sound proofing to the sides like you did. http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/6563-removing-wheel-well-covers/?_fromLogin=1

Great thread as I have the same question. Looking at the pics that Strobz posted and Desert_connect's pics of the fastener and description of how to remove is very helpful. I think I get it. I hate breaking parts and creating collateral damage. I bought a small panel tool remover kit with some plastic tools and the metal claw one that's pictured so I'm ready to give this a try. Many thanks!

Okay, maybe I've been living in a cave too long, so if you already have one of these, then move along. There's nothing new to read here. My old digital tire gauge was getting really flaky, not engaging the valve very well. Model shown in picture below. Time for a new one. Rather than replace with something similar, I find out you can get a digital gauge and inflator all in one tool. My old inflator had some manual pop up reader but never used it. Picked out the AstroAi 250 (about $30) based on decent reviews and it's the cat's meow. It's so fast to inflate, check pressure, bleed some air out if necessary. There are a few more expensive models but didn't think it was warranted for my monthly pressure checks on two cars. I need to get out of the cave more often. There's a new world out there. https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Inflator-Compressor-Accessories-Resolution/dp/B07528LFCT OLD GAUGE NEW GAUGE/INFLATOR

I finally got around to changing the backup light to LEDs. Seems like there is more light now so I think it's a worthwhile mod. Getting the rear lens out was easy on the passenger side but the driver side was caught up and a pain to back out. There's not a whole lot of wiggle room to getting these out. Tight fit. In case someone is wondering, the lens does not have to be removed, just opened enough to get to the rear of the housing to remove the bulb socket. See pic below. Put the new LEDs in, button it up and then grab my wife to help me test it out. Neither light is on. What? Really? Both don't work. Crap! I knew I should have tested it before putting it all back. I recall reading either on this forum or reviews for the bulbs that sometimes the LEDs have to be reversed. Did that and they both fired up just fine. There are an assortment of LED options available but I decided to avoid the lower cost ones and go with Phillips based on quality in the reviews. $20 for the pair. P/N: 12789LPB2 921-WHITE LED. Original bulb is a W16W.

@Alvin - What a great thread. Thanks for sharing great write-ups, pics and awesome videos. You're work in most appreciated. WELL DONE! Your attention to detail shows in the final product. First rate work all around. You've inspired me to get off my butt and make some mods to my cargo van. Looking forward to reading about more mods and videos! Can you please share how to remove the rear side panels in the back? Another forum member asked that same question in another thread somewhere, but I'm not seeing it. My van is cargo, yours is wagon, but I'm sure the panels are installed the same way. Thanks!

I missed seeing this thread originally. Glad two forumites floated it to the top. You made some great mods to your van. Extra points for getting your significant other to help. Hope to see more in the future.

Nice job on your camper van. Thanks for sharing. Great to see you customize the van for your particular needs. Hope to see more in the future.

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear of your woes. It's entirely possible they are waiting for parts but the story sounds very sketchy at best. Because it's a Titanium I would guess it arrives without any need for adjustments compared to a cargo model that needs to be converted from a wagon model. Seems like it would be early to have recall issues on a 2018 but I have no idea. For business I dealt with a Hyundai processing center for new vehicles coming off the ships and I was appalled at the patch up fixes they did to cars that got damaged either on the ship or getting to the storage lot, especially the body work and painting process. I don't consider that factory paint and a consumer should be notified as such, but that's another subject for another thread. If you're going shopping, I would highly suggest you start by using one of the many car buying services available to get yourself a baseline price. If you're in a major city you should have dealerships that participate in these types of services. I used Costco's car buying service, which was excellent. They connected me with a dealer within 20 miles, but not my closest dealers. Pricing to me was slightly below dealer invoice on a special ordered van. There are other services through AAA, Truecar, etc. They will tell you over the phone or email your cost without even going to the dealer. You can take that pricing to another dealer that's not in the program and see if they will accept it. Best of luck. Please keep us updated.

I think GBL answered your question as it relates to a wagon model. My TC is a cargo model = no rear heating.

The link below just popped up on MSN. Similar article to what MRTN posted above. https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-vans/new-ford-transit-connect-focuses-on-safety-versatility-tech/ar-BBGdmBw?li=BBnb4R5#image=BBGdmBw_1|6 To me the front end looks the same as the current Gen 2. Added safety features sound useful. One of the pics shows a dash that looks different, with an automatic trans shifter. Interesting layout. ADD-ON - That dash is for a full size Transit, not the TC. Per the article, this is all for the Euro market but most likely will follow to the US after with questions on the diesel engine option. BTW - The 2018 TC is now up on the Ford website https://www.ford.com/trucks/transit-connect-passenger-van-wagon/?gnav=header-all-vehicles

Thanks Cynar. When I select the History Tab, nothing shows up. See screen shot below

Cool find - thanks for sharing

Thanks DonS - those are some great tips you shared.

thanks, I'll take a look at that.

@swps - Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van(s) Both look very sharp. Thanks for sharing pics. Your custom pvc racks looks great. Those planes are very cool looking. Surely not my old man's RC planes from the 70's.

@JoeMan - Thanks for sharing your thoughts and empathy. You are spot on in your thinking.This dealer handled this whole repair or lack of very poorly. Funny how I didn't get a repair survey afterwards. Coincidence? I still may pursue this with another dealer with a different angle this time. If I do decide to pay for it I won't be having the work done at the local dealer. They don't deserve any compensation after jerking me around. Good Will works both ways. YES, you owe us your own build thread. Please share with lots of pics.

@cynar - thanks for posting that about FordEtis. I created a login and checked my VIN. See the below screen grab regarding Software Updates. Those dates were the original mfg dates. Not sure how to interpret that. I didn't see any other service info on my van as well but did see that I haven't had the sliding door latch recall done yet, so that part is correct.

See the post above from Mickster (found on page 1 of this thread) regarding interior lights, that aren't affected by this update. Only changes the exterior lights.