What’s this thing?

[xcm77]

It's what Ford screwed 2019 BULLITT owners out of!, saying we had FORDPASS access, when we didn't because no modem installed.

they fixed it for the 2020 model

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[CrazyHippie]

Replaced my factory red tails with ford clear tails today. Looks amazing, fit and finish was as expected from OEM parts. While removing the drivers side I had to work around this box. Google says the part number is a WiFi module. I’ve got a pretty low optioned M1 so I’m just wondering what it does and what features I’m missing out or not using.

That's the factory-installed tracking transmitter that sends all of your driving data to Ford and on to your insurance carrier. So that you get Good-Driver discounts.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

That's the factory-installed tracking transmitter that sends all of your driving data to Ford and on to your insurance carrier. So that you get Good-Driver discounts.

I have yet to see proof that this is shared with all insurance companies. I believe only one guy mentioned his rates went up.

We know for a fact that this data is shared with the insurance company if you sign up with the Insurance company provided by Ford. I just don't know if they share it with other insurance companies. Either way I am still debating if I should pull that fuse, I do like the ability to lock and unlock my car, etc.

That thread was like 35 pages maybe I missed it but anyways I guess the best solution is pulling that fuse if you want to stop the transmission.

 

[daSNAK3]

I have yet to see proof that this is shared with all insurance companies. I believe only one guy mentioned his rates went up.

We know for a fact that this data is shared with the insurance company if you sign up with the Insurance company provided by Ford. I just don't know if they share it with other insurance companies. Either way I am still debating if I should pull that fuse, I do like the ability to lock and unlock my car, etc.

That thread was like 35 pages maybe I missed it but anyways I guess the best solution is pulling that fuse if you want to stop the transmission.

My insurance rates have went up the last 3 cycles, after going down every cycle for I don't know how many years... no idea if its the box, or something else, but it is quite the odd coincidence. I will work on disconnecting it at some point this year.

 

[Rapid Red]

Replaced my factory red tails with ford clear tails today. Looks amazing, fit and finish was as expected from OEM parts. While removing the drivers side I had to work around this box. Google says the part number is a WiFi module. I’ve got a pretty low optioned M1 so I’m just wondering what it does and what features I’m missing out or not using.

That is the thingy so many talk about.

 

[CrazyHippie]

I have yet to see proof that this is shared with all insurance companies. I believe only one guy mentioned his rates went up.

We know for a fact that this data is shared with the insurance company if you sign up with the Insurance company provided by Ford. I just don't know if they share it with other insurance companies. Either way I am still debating if I should pull that fuse, I do like the ability to lock and unlock my car, etc.

That thread was like 35 pages maybe I missed it but anyways I guess the best solution is pulling that fuse if you want to stop the transmission.

I've got mine completely disconnected. I pulled the fuse and all of the connectors to the box in the trunk/boot behind the driver side panel. I have no issues, other than the Ford Pass and telematics options in sync are no longer active. You can absolutely still use the remote starter on your key fob, if that helps. (I've got a '23 GT/CS as my point of reference.)

 

[PoCoBob]

So what if you have the modem but never set up Ford Pass? When I first got the car I had a few emails from Ford reminding me to set it up but I never saw the point of doing it so I haven't.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

My insurance rates have went up the last 3 cycles, after going down every cycle for I don't know how many years... no idea if its the box, or something else, but it is quite the odd coincidence. I will work on disconnecting it at some point this year.

My rates have gone up in the same time, and I do not have a modem. Seems like there’s still an awful lot of hand wringing over this based on rumors and speculation.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

I've got mine completely disconnected. I pulled the fuse and all of the connectors to the box in the trunk/boot behind the driver side panel. I have no issues, other than the Ford Pass and telematics options in sync are no longer active. You can absolutely still use the remote starter on your key fob, if that helps. (I've got a '23 GT/CS as my point of reference.)

Thanks well I have the 6 speed so I guess I would only loose ability to lock and unlock the car from distance.

 

[daSNAK3]

My rates have gone up in the same time, and I do not have a modem. Seems like there’s still an awful lot of hand wringing over this based on rumors and speculation.

Just my experience, thoughts that was what forums were for.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

Just my experience, thoughts that was what forums were for.

Might be nice to run a poll on this

 

[5doorsoffury]

if you ever see a device with a imei number its a cellular modem fwiw wifi does NOT need that number only the cell modem.

 

[Buldawg76]

I have yet to see proof that this is shared with all insurance companies. I believe only one guy mentioned his rates went up.

We know for a fact that this data is shared with the insurance company if you sign up with the Insurance company provided by Ford. I just don't know if they share it with other insurance companies. Either way I am still debating if I should pull that fuse, I do like the ability to lock and unlock my car, etc.

That thread was like 35 pages maybe I missed it but anyways I guess the best solution is pulling that fuse if you want to stop the transmission.

I was not aware that if you had insurance thru Ford that it allowed them access to this info but makes sense. I am not sure about other insurance carriers if you signed paperwork if they would be allowed access to the info by Ford, if they gave Ford any kind of kick back then very likely. I do know a lot of insurance will gladly give you a dongle to plug into the OBD port for them to give you a discounted rate but if you don't toe the line, you lose the discount and likely get hit with rate hike.

My insurance has actually gone down the last two years of owning my stang at renewal time versus what it was for my 2019 Edge I had previously. I am no saint behind the wheel either, so I am pretty confident they do not have access to my cars info.

I have no proof but have read in emails I get that congress has been pressured by insurance carriers to allow then this access but has yet to cave in to them. If/when it does happen, I will go dark.

BD

 

[Applied Carbon]

I was not aware that if you had insurance thru Ford that it allowed them access to this info but makes sense. I am not sure about other insurance carriers if you signed paperwork if they would be allowed access to the info by Ford, if they gave Ford any kind of kick back then very likely. I do know a lot of insurance will gladly give you a dongle to plug into the OBD port for them to give you a discounted rate but if you don't toe the line, you lose the discount and likely get hit with rate hike.

My insurance has actually gone down the last two years of owning my stang at renewal time versus what it was for my 2019 Edge I had previously. I am no saint behind the wheel either, so I am pretty confident they do not have access to my cars info.

I have no proof but have read in emails I get that congress has been pressured by insurance carriers to allow then this access but has yet to cave in to them. If/when it does happen, I will go dark.

BD

I cannot say for sure about this case with the Ford wifi box but insurance companies can and do buy personal information from data brokers. And just say ya know, the federal government bypasses the 4th amendment by buying your data from these brokers.

 

[Skye]

Looks like the Telematics Control Unit (TCU), a module that receives, compiles and sends data to Ford.

https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/telematics/

One connection from the TCU is to an electronic splitter. The splitter is then connected to cellular antennas in the left and right bumper sections of the car.

In the MY22 Owners Manual, printed page 255, fuse #8 is listed as supporting the TCU. Fuse #8 is referenced on the internal fuse panel, Body Control Module (BCM)-A. BCM-A is located inside the cabin, right side, behind the kick panel.

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