4G Modem Disabling Instructions:

[RocketGuy3]

S650 is already going that route by all accounts. Haven’t dug into it much since I don’t own one

I don't think there's anything important on the S650 that would "break" if you cutoff the modem connectivity... Although with how much software is on there, you may miss out on OTA updates, some of which you may actually want.

But we're probably a decent ways away from cars just not working without these modems. No matter what kinda crazy ass tech they have, they have to be able to work without an internet connection (think driving in the middle of nowhere, through a tunnel, with a network or tower failure, etc)... I'm sure some cars will start giving you major warnings or even disabling systems without a connection after enough time, but I don't think the Mustang is close to that yet. Even the S650. Probably.

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[MAGS1]

I'm still not sure if there's anything important on the S650 that would "break" if you cutoff the modem connectivity... Although with how much software is on there, you may miss out on updates, some of which you may actually want.

But we're probably a decent ways away from cars just not working without these modems. No matter what kinda crazy ass tech they have, they have to be able to work without an internet connection (think driving in the middle of nowhere, through a tunnel, with a network or tower failure, etc)... I'm sure some cars will start giving you major warnings or even disabling systems without a connection after enough time, but I don't think the Mustang is close to that yet. Even the S650. Probably.

That’s the kinda scary part though. We don’t really know how “connected” S650 really is. I agree, the car probably won’t shut down if you disable the modem that links FordPass. But, that car is much more over the air capable than ours by all accounts, so it’s hard to really know for sure. I suppose we could get an answer if we ventured over to 7G and asked.

 

[CharlesC]

Timely article.

https://nypost.com/2024/03/12/busin...n-you-and-upping-your-insurance-rates-report/

Drivers of cars manufactured by General Motors, Ford, Honda and other popular brands say that their insurance rates went up after the companies sent data about their driving behavior to issuers without their knowledge.

 

[Buldawg76]

Here's fords info in how they release the data.

Ford Says It Only Shares Driving Info With Owner's Consent (fordauthority.com)

BD

 

[rocsteady]

Ah, interesting thanks, the trunk sounds less intimidating than interior footwell trim... Is that just around where the spare wheel well is? And I guess you left the yellow and red in place, but yanked the black-ended cable, which was likely power?

Fuse cover in passenger footwell is a snap to remove and reinstall. Sort of a little triangle, grab where the finger grip is and pull toward center of the car. You'll see how it goes back once you have it off

 

[Buldawg76]

Your Car Might Be Sharing Data With Insurers—and Costing You Money (motortrend.com)

BD

 

[COBRAFREAK1996]

Here's fords info in how they release the data.

Ford Says It Only Shares Driving Info With Owner's Consent (fordauthority.com)

BD

So the fun part is if the previous owner opted-in then you wouldn't know likely. You know it doesn't reset when changing hands.

 

[Buldawg76]

CEO Farley's response to complaints about data sharing with insurance companies.

Ford Issues Statement On Data Privacy Sharing Amid Concerns (fordauthority.com)

Mine is set to off in the connectivity screen, for insurance data sharing, not that I believe it to be true.

BD

 

[HoosierDaddy]

CEO Farley's response to complaints about data sharing with insurance companies.

Ford Issues Statement On Data Privacy Sharing Amid Concerns (fordauthority.com)

Mine is set to off in the connectivity screen, for insurance data sharing, not that I believe it to be true.

BD

From article:

Ford hasn’t sold or shared any connected vehicle data to LexisNexis (or Verisk),” the automaker said in its statement. “While Ford announced exploratory partnerships with them, we haven’t launched anything.

Sounds like nothing to worry about ........... until tomorrow or the next day.

If an insurance company or data exchange service has data about your driving behavior without your explicit consent, it did not come from Ford. There are several other ways, such as through phone apps unrelated to Ford, where information about your driving behavior (especially hard accelerations and hard braking that can be calculated through a cell phone’s GPS data) can be made available to insurers.

So..... only apps that can access the VIN AND that can tell you are the driver? Plausible deniability for Ford if they do secretly share with your insurance company?

 

[Prodigal]

From article:



Sounds like nothing to worry about ........... until tomorrow or the next day.



So..... only apps that can access the VIN AND that can tell you are the driver? Plausible deniability for Ford if they do secretly share with your insurance company?

Exactly. How would my other apps know if I was in my buddy’s private plane going 150-200 mph or in my car?

 

[Buldawg76]

Exactly. How would my other apps know if I was in my buddy’s private plane going 150-200 mph or in my car?

If you have an app that records altitude your phone will have that data as well. I have all my apps set to track location only when using the app and have never used apple car play or connect phone to USB port in car, only use cigar lighter charger to charge phone in the car. Not that any of that matters anyway. Big brother is always watching in today's world, just not willing to make it easier for them.

BD

 

[geep81]

Exactly. How would my other apps know if I was in my buddy’s private plane going 150-200 mph or in my car?

You cracked the code. We can foil them when we're speeding by putting our phones on antenna like 5ft over the car. They will think we are low-flying aircraft.

 

[DougS550]

I know there are at least a few of you that share my concerns for many various reasons:

Weird Insurance situation - if anyone can exp
Disabling 4G modem on 2019+ cars
Looks like the Norks are trying to hack into my car

Whether it's data collection, raised insurance premiums after a track day, hacking and cyber attacks, or some other concern, we shouldn't be forced to have our cars sharing who knows what with who knows who. Our cars have a telematics control unit (TCU) that does... well, I can't say for sure what it does other than that it has something to do with the 4G modem communication and data collection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telematic_control_unit

I have a handy dandy RF meter that very simply shows me the strength of wireless RF radiation. I meant to do this a long time ago, but this afternoon I turned it on and took it to my 2019. When I opened the door, I heard the familiar chirps and buzzes of a mobile phone, but my phone was far away, inside the house. With all of the radios turned off (mobile data, bluetooth, etc.). And in airplane mode. My phone wouldn't have spiked my RF meter from the garage anyway, but I wanted to isolate any RF from my car for this experiment, so my Wi-Fi was also turned off. Prior to getting in my car my meter showed nearly no RF signal whatsoever (I live a decent distance from any significant broadcasters such as cell towers).

Awhile back I decided on a plan of attack to disable the TCU. The first trick up my sleeve? Pull a fuse.

And with that... I present to you the full detailed instructions on how to disable the 4G modem:


STEP 1) Disconnect fuse #10: Telematics

STEP 2) ...


There is no step 2. At least not for now (let me know how it goes for you).

Could it really be that easy? I know it's only a 5A fuse, but I had in my mind that perhaps navigation or bluetooth might no longer work, and I'd have to try plan B. But no, nav and BT are still fully functional. This little fuse appears to be for just the modem. I can still see the RF signal from the key fob and bluetooth, but the modem is gone.

Stay tuned for episode 2 where I reconnect the fuse and triangulate the RF signal to the modem location for possible removal (sure, there might be a more conventional method for finding it, but this is more fun).

So, there you have it, fellow tinfoil hat conspiracy theorists. Very simple. Very effective.

If you find a potential problem such as something else not working as expected, let me know and I'll expedite the modem location process for a try at just unplugging it.

Epilogue:

Very many of us have no use for our cars sending data to someone. I get in my car to go from point A to point B for whatever reason. I like horsepower, an ode to exhaust written by chewbacca himself, and good sounding tunes. None of these things require me to give up privacy. I don't even know what convenience the 4G modem gives me... in-car Wi-Fi? If I'd like in-car Wi-Fi then I'd have to consider my options. But since I have zero use for it, I've very happily disabled it. No need to give that data for free to whoever wants it. There's no need to just throw up your hands and say Corporation A knows this about me, Corporation B knows that about me, might as well just let Corporation C have this other data. What our phones do, what EZ Pass does, etc. are all separate issues that can be decided upon and handled separately from our cars sending whatever data they are sending.

Hi. For the 2019 GT, Which Fuse disables the Data transfer link from the car?
I never signed up for Ford pass and don't have an account, wonder if they are still collectining my data?
Thanks

 

[Jaymar]

Hi. For the 2019 GT, Which Fuse disables the Data transfer link from the car?
I never signed up for Ford pass and don't have an account, wonder if they are still collectining my data?
Thanks

I understand it's a long thread but it's in the first post.

 

[DougS550]

I understand it's a long thread but it's in the first post.

I will read from the beginning then. Thanks

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