What is this thing attached to my windshield?

[ServicePlus 0]

 

I bought my 2015 TC used. What is this? It is attached to the inside of the windshield, top center. 

 

The vehicle was previously owned by Hobart, wondering if this is factory or aftermarket. 

[mrtn 210]

16 minutes ago, ServicePlus said:

 The vehicle was previously owned by Hobart, wondering if this is factory or aftermarket. 

 

OEM GPS module..

[ServicePlus 0]

36 minutes ago, mrtn said:

 

OEM GPS module..

 

So what does it do?

[mrtn 210]

Tells your navigation system where the satellites are so your navigation system can draw a map of surroundings and route for you.

[sKiZo 43]

Looks like it must have been one of those "monday" GPS ... my old blind granny could have mounted it straighter.

(Come to think of it, she DID work for Ford ... ) <G>

[ServicePlus 0]

Interesting as I don't have a navigation system.....

[sKiZo 43]

Maybe the TC did at one time and it was removed before you got it? In any case, just because it's a "fomoco" part doesn't mean it's OEM. I've got a "factory" back up camera on mine that Ford wouldn't cover when it crapped out because it wasn't listed on the original vehicle invoice.

 

Anyway, as mentioned, it's a GPS antenna, same as you'd find on any GPS locator - maybe just more prominent than most. They usually try to hide it a lot better though. If you don't have GPS, and don't plan to, just toss it. If you DO expect to install GPS at some future time, leave it - the connectors on those are pretty much generic and should work with most any GPS device.

 

PS - bad location anyway - half the satellites would be hidden by the body metal more times than not. My aftermarket radio has that mounted top of dash just behind the windshield so it gets the best possible view of the sky.

Edited November 29, 2019 by sKiZo

[jdob 1]

Probably not so much for driver navigation, but so that the company that owned the vehicle could track its location. So they could know where the vehicle was versus where it was supposed to be while out on service calls. Some company Big Brother action...Not 100% sure - just my two cents...

Edited November 29, 2019 by jdob

[sKiZo 43]

Probably not that far away from the day some start chipping their drivers, eh ...  

 

[PhotoAl 29]

The GPS receiver on my 2016 is a black lump on the roof above the driver.  The satellite radio sensor and the sensor for the rain sensing windshield wipers are in a bulky rear view mirror mount.  That doesn't look like anything I have.  I have the Titanium with factory navigation and Ford MyTouch.  

[G B L 218]

Was the TC used any where there are toll roads it has the look of a toll transponder . That would account for the sloppy install.
 

[jrm223 46]

On 12/7/2019 at 6:09 PM, G B L said:

Was the TC used any where there are toll roads it has the look of a toll transponder . That would account for the sloppy install.
 

 

A toll transponder wouldn't be labeled FoMoCo and have wiring coming out of it, though. I've had different styles and they're always self-contained, whether the plastic box like IL I-Pass uses or the sticker kind with a small RFID chip inside like OK PikePass, TX NTTA, etc. 

[G B L 218]

Thanks for the transponder  tutorial.