4G Modem Disabling Instructions:

[drummerboy]

Why does it show cellular and TCU antennas connected to the TCU? I was thinking that must be GPS antenna, but no, that's over to the left. What is the TCU antenna for?

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[Tomster]

Why does it show cellular and TCU antennas connected to the TCU? I was thinking that must be GPS antenna, but no, that's over to the left. What is the TCU antenna for?

My thought on that is that there are primary and secondary antennas. If you look at the workshop manual, the antenna array shows cellular antennas which are located in the quarter panels and a TCU antenna. I think the diagram is an oversimplified schematic of two variants? Job 1 cars had no sharkfin antenna. It relied on a cellular antenna array for TCU comms. Job 2 cars have the sharkfin antenna with is a gps/sat antenna and a TCU antenna built into one housing. This configuration would not need the job 1 cellular antenna array.

Again from the other post, the moment I disconnected my sharkfin antenna, the TCU cellular comms were dead, and so was my GPS and sat radio. See my posts over in the 500 section which breaks the sharkfin antenna down into the two antenna components.

 

[ice445]

Better get all the pre-2019 GT350's off the road folks, they've been deemed too unsafe since they lack a modem.



EDIT:

The car can in fact scan for and connect to Wi-Fi networks even when the modem fuse is pulled.

It can also turn itself on, mine has done that once.

 

[Cobra Jet]

So let me ask this....

The disabling “mod”, what affect does it have IF the car has to go into Ford Service for Warranty Work? Does IDS need to have the communication links active in order for any warranty work to be done that would involve any of the vehicle’s connected modules?

 

[drummerboy]

how is the wifi disabled?

Ok, your plan A should be checking for a powerful Wi-Fi antenna directly below the ignition button behind the USB port. RF meter showing a huge broadcast from precisely that location as the car scans for Wi-Fi.

 

[Cobra Jet]

My thought on that is that there are primary and secondary antennas. If you look at the workshop manual, the antenna array shows cellular antennas which are located in the quarter panels and a TCU antenna. I think the diagram is an oversimplified schematic of two variants? Job 1 cars had no sharkfin antenna. It relied on a cellular antenna array for TCU comms. Job 2 cars have the sharkfin antenna with is a gps/sat antenna and a TCU antenna built into one housing. This configuration would not need the job 1 cellular antenna array.

Again from the other post, the moment I disconnected my sharkfin antenna, the TCU cellular comms were dead, and so was my GPS and sat radio. See my posts over in the 500 section which breaks the sharkfin antenna down into the two antenna components.

Tomster’s thread in the GT500 section is very informative with great tech/images as usual (I had read through it earlier today). Here it is below in the event others have not seen it yet:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...nk-to-ford-thread.146863/page-12#post-3012686

 

[Tomster]

Thanks. It is a collaboration of all interested parties. Next on the list is the wifi.

 

[Tomster]

Ok, your plan A should be checking for a powerful Wi-Fi antenna directly below the ignition button behind the USB port. RF meter showing a huge broadcast from precisely that location as the car scans for Wi-Fi.

Its gonna be a while before I get my car back, so sit tight

Edited to add:

What meter are you using to measure wifi output? Link?

 

[JAJ]

I haven't looked at this thread for a while. There's a theme here that I think might be based on a questionable assumption. That assumption is that Ford is organizing the technology and data collection. I think that Ford's just a client, like insurance companies, marketers, law enforcement or whomever wants the data and is willing to pay.

Think about it - all of the vehicle electronics come from a very small group of very sophisticated third parties - the ECU is Bosch, the Sync module is Panasonic with Blackberry software and so on. There is a handful of companies in the automotive electronics business who have a lock on all of the OEM's. I believe that the technology to capture in-motion vehicle data is just another module from one (or maybe two) of them. I also believe that the architecture and API structures have been built from the ground up to monetize that data. Ford is just one client of that service, getting the data it needs for its purposes in exchange for a "when you click on the OK button on the FordPass sign-up you've just authorized us AND OUR PARTNERS to do whatever we want with your data".

 

[Tomster]

I haven't looked at this thread for a while. There's a theme here that I think might be based on a questionable assumption. That assumption is that Ford is organizing the technology and data collection. I think that Ford's just a client, like insurance companies, marketers, law enforcement or whomever wants the data and is willing to pay.

Think about it - all of the vehicle electronics come from a very small group of very sophisticated third parties - the ECU is Bosch, the Sync module is Panasonic with Blackberry software and so on. There is a handful of companies in the automotive electronics business who have a lock on all of the OEM's. I believe that the technology to capture in-motion vehicle data is just another module from one (or maybe two) of them. I also believe that the architecture and API structures have been built from the ground up to monetize that data. Ford is just one client of that service, getting the data it needs for its purposes in exchange for a "when you click on the OK button on the FordPass sign-up you've just authorized us AND OUR PARTNERS to do whatever we want with your data".

All true. Yes Ford is the posterchild here, maybe deserved, maybe not. I think the underlying concern is not who is receiving the data, but that it is being sent out at all. As soon as i discovered this whole data collection issue, I was on the phone with Ford explicitly revoking any consent to any data collection. Im in this so far only because I hate the way the shark antenna looks. Right at the time I removed it, all this came up. A little cross reference and a common goal was set for myself. Get rid of the sharkfin antenna and while I'm at it, kill any data link radiating out of my car. Simply put, I don't care who was receiving it. I will put the kabosh on that. I mean where do people get off (as i type on my smartphone, lol).

 

[drummerboy]

I haven't looked at this thread for a while. There's a theme here that I think might be based on a questionable assumption. That assumption is that Ford is organizing the technology and data collection. I think that Ford's just a client, like insurance companies, marketers, law enforcement or whomever wants the data and is willing to pay.

Awesome point. Hadn't thought of that. Ford is not in the business of collecting data and is most likely not interested in developing that out rather than just paying for it as a service. So the electronics/software manufacturer offers Ford a device/service, Ford says yes and puts the devices in the cars, pays said manufacturer for the service. I wish I could double like your post, JAJ.

 

[drummerboy]

What meter are you using to measure wifi output? Link?

For this purpose and other fun, I'd imagine any RF meter would do, but the best bang:buck and ease of use is honestly this one, with the speaker and the info on the display being absolutely critical to being able to pinpoint the Wi-Fi antenna location in a cramped space like a car in about 30sec. It's extremely accurate and easy.

 

[drummerboy]

Hey I was eyeballing that one 3D diagram again and decided to go take a peek. Literally took 30sec to locate the physical TCU/modem, part number JR3T-14G229-AK and IMEI printed on the label. It's directly behind the left rear tail light, peel back the trunk liner a few inches and you'll see it.

 

[16Kobra]

All true. Yes Ford is the posterchild here, maybe deserved, maybe not. I think the underlying concern is not who is receiving the data, but that it is being sent out at all. As soon as i discovered this whole data collection issue, I was on the phone with Ford explicitly revoking any consent to any data collection. Im in this so far only because I hate the way the shark antenna looks. Right at the time I removed it, all this came up. A little cross reference and a common goal was set for myself. Get rid of the sharkfin antenna and while I'm at it, kill any data link radiating out of my car. Simply put, I don't care who was receiving it. I will put the kabosh on that. I mean where do people get off (as i type on my smartphone, lol).

 

[ShelbyMilk]

Your cell phone should be your #1 concern not your car. People dont like the idea about being chipped....but they carry the chip around and share their day to day activity willingly. Data collection and what we agree to in (ToS) Terms of Service is insane.

Think about all the apps on your cell phone - all the info you supply to the social media giants and all the hooks those extra pieces of software (free games apps etc etc) you installed have into your location/private data etc.

GDRP is good first tiny step



Ohh sheet...my tinfoil hat just fell off.....time to add another layer of shielding.

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