Loss of Cellular and Wi-FI Connectivity

[leonbell]

Hoping for some insights from the Lighting community.
I have a 2023 Lariat ER that I've had since August.
It's been great.
I have never received any updates.
The people at Ford support also show no record of having sent me one.
BUT... As of yesterday connectivity has gone dark. I can't connect with Ford Pass and the people at Ford support can't see my truck active in their system. I'm told that this is through a cellular modem.
Simultaneously I can no longer see any Wi-Fi networks when I go to wi-fi options in connectivity menu.
This now means that I can not remote start or schedule starting times for preconditioning and presumably I can not receive any updates.
The first opening at the dealer for connection issues is March 12.
Has anyone had this issue, and if so was it resolved and how so?
Thanks

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[Heliian]

First I would try a 12v disconnect/reconnect to see if it's just locked up.

If that doesn't work then it's most likely a bad modem

 

[leonbell]

First I would try a 12v disconnect/reconnect to see if it's just locked up.

If that doesn't work then it's most likely a bad modem

Thanks, I'll try that.
I suppose it's just like any other 12v battery, just pop off the terminal and give it a minute or so?

 

[Dave70]

Funny you ask this. My remote start has stopped working via the app as of yesterday morning. It used to work flawlessly every time. I have an AT&T tower less than a mile from my house, so I know it gets good connectivity. Plus I have the truck connected to my home wifi.

I'm guessing it's the Ford network itself, or my 12v battery is a little low, but I haven't had any messages in my truck stating that the 12v is low.

 

[rugedraw]

To reset the TCU, it will take longer than just a battery disconnect and reconnect. It is recommended to leave it unplugged overnight. On the ICE trucks, the TCU is located behind the passenger side rear seat back. You can unplug it directly there and still drive the truck. You can leave the battery unplugged overnight, but I am not sure if that will work for the Lightnings based on their architecture. If the TCU only gets its power from the 12V battery, it should work.

 

[Heliian]

Thanks, I'll try that.
I suppose it's just like any other 12v battery, just pop off the terminal and give it a minute or so?

Correct, it was a common issue at the beginning of the year.

There is a fuse panel located on the right side which houses the fuse for the modem or you can just do the 12v battery thing, make sure to read the battery door instructions, don't just pull it.

 

[Heliian]

To reset the TCU, it will take longer than just a battery disconnect and reconnect. It is recommended to leave it unplugged overnight. On the ICE trucks, the TCU is located behind the passenger side rear seat back. You can unplug it directly there and still drive the truck. You can leave the battery unplugged overnight, but I am not sure if that will work for the Lightnings based on their architecture. If the TCU only gets its power from the 12V battery, it should work.

The modem drop-offs were very common at the beginning. You can pull the fuse or 12v battery for a few minutes to reset it. Some people have had complete failures though.

 

[rugedraw]

The modem drop-offs were very common at the beginning. You can pull the fuse or 12v battery for a few minutes to reset it. Some people have had complete failures though.

Let us know if it fixes it. If not, try the overnight thing. If you have FORScan, you can reset the GWM and TCU there and it does the same thing as unplugging the battery long-term does.

 

[mefly2]

My departure times as well as charging progress / details disappeared this morning. Several escalations with the Ford help line over 1 1/2 hours could not resolve the issue. Although I had already deleted and reinstalled Ford pas several times, the CSR had me do it again and wait ...
Eventually, it was escalated to her boss and I was told they would have an answer in 3-5 days ...

 

[leonbell]

I have tried pulling the fuse to modem for a few minutes and had no results. I will disconnect 12v battery this evening and give results later. Hope it works, because appointment at dealer is March 12. I'd kind of like to be able to set start times for these cold winter mornings.

 

[Maquis]

I have tried pulling the fuse to modem for a few minutes and had no results. I will disconnect 12v battery this evening and give results later. Hope it works, because appointment at dealer is March 12. I'd kind of like to be able to set start times for these cold winter mornings.

Until you get it fixed, set departure times in the truck. It’s more reliable doing it that way even if everything’s working properly.

 

[TaxmanHog]

@leonbell are you able to log onto FORD.COM with your account and see your vehicle information (as of last check in with them)?

I'm curious if you have an accounts lock out situation, if you can get in then that isn't the problem.

Background for you and those reading my comment, a few of us last year were testing third party applications which require proxy access to our Ford account to sniff for vehicle data, electric company charging TOU compliance being a big item.

Ford does not allow third parties to connect, eventually I was locked out and it took several days to get the lock-out lifted, second offense unlock came with a warning to not do it again or a permanent ban could occur.

That said, hopefully my experience is not your issue and the escalation specialist will hook you up soon, three months wait is to long for an initial diagnostic checkup.

 

[leonbell]

First I would try a 12v disconnect/reconnect to see if it's just locked up.

If that doesn't work then it's most likely a bad modem

Ok, Thanks for the recommendation.
I pulled the fuse and nothing immediately improved, but later in the day when I went back to truck I was notified that all my connected services where canceled and I needed to reconnect them. The Wi-Fi was detecting surrounding signals and I was able to re connect Ford Pass and re start connected services. Took several minutes, but everything appears to be restored and I can now use Ford Pass to remote start and monitor vehicle.
I am assuming the pulling of fuse was the trick, but it may have taken a while for the whole process to recover.

 

[Adventureboy]

Correct, it was a common issue at the beginning of the year.

There is a fuse panel located on the right side which houses the fuse for the modem or you can just do the 12v battery thing, make sure to read the battery door instructions, don't just pull it.

The fuse is 32 on my Lariat. Worked for me just to pull this fuse and reinsert it a few minutes later.

 

[VictorM]

Let us know if it fixes it. If not, try the overnight thing. If you have FORScan, you can reset the GWM and TCU there and it does the same thing as unplugging the battery long-term does.

FORScan rewrites for GWM and TCU did reset my modem and WiFi reconnected. Thanks!

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