TCU (Telematics Control Unit) is frozen or locked due to the continent/region change USA to EU

[Sahit]

Do you have a photo of how you soldered your SIM card? Also, do you have a photo of the sync screen in the connectivity menu? It should say 4G there.
Also, remember that the SIM card should be password-free and have internet traffic (paid package, etc.). Common problems with no internet on the TCU include poor/incorrect soldering, poor contact between the SIM and the adapter, and the network operator (yes, sometimes it is worth trying another SIM from a different operator). There were particular problems with duplicate SIMs (duplicates of the main number). And does a call go through to your number, the SIM in the TCU?

Do you have a photo of how you soldered your SIM card? Also, do you have a photo of the sync screen in the connectivity menu? It should say 4G there.
Also, remember that the SIM card should be password-free and have internet traffic (paid package, etc.). Common problems with no internet on the TCU include poor/incorrect soldering, poor contact between the SIM and the adapter, and the network operator (yes, sometimes it is worth trying another SIM from a different operator). There were particular problems with duplicate SIMs (duplicates of the main number). And does a call go through to your number, the SIM in the TCU?

Thank you very much to all the good people here on the forum .
I would like to share the final result and sincerely thank everyone.

I removed the eSIM and installed a physical SIM card in the SIM slot, and without making any system or configuration changes, the vehicle immediately gained full and stable LTE connectivity.

In addition, after about 6 hours with active LTE, the vehicle started receiving software updates, which it had not received since September 2024.

This clearly shows how important connectivity was and how helpful your advice and experience have been.

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, especially those who spent their time and effort helping me troubleshoot the issue with my vehicle.
Without your support, this would not have been possible.

Thank you all once again

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[chriserx]

Thank you very much to all the good people here on the forum .
I would like to share the final result and sincerely thank everyone.

I removed the eSIM and installed a physical SIM card in the SIM slot, and without making any system or configuration changes, the vehicle immediately gained full and stable LTE connectivity.

In addition, after about 6 hours with active LTE, the vehicle started receiving software updates, which it had not received since September 2024.

This clearly shows how important connectivity was and how helpful your advice and experience have been.

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, especially those who spent their time and effort helping me troubleshoot the issue with my vehicle.
Without your support, this would not have been possible.

Thank you all once again

I know you talked about it but which TCU did you ultimately use? The North American or Euro TCU?

 

[Sahit]

I know you talked about it but which TCU did you ultimately use? The North American or Euro TCU?

I used the same North American TCU that originally came with the truck from the U.S.
I did not replace the TCU.
I only removed the eSIM, soldered a physical SIM card slot, and installed it in the vehicle.
No programming, no coding, no region change — everything works perfectly with stable LTE.

 

[chriserx]

I used the same North American TCU that originally came with the truck from the U.S.
I did not replace the TCU.
I only removed the eSIM, soldered a physical SIM card slot, and installed it in the vehicle.
No programming, no coding, no region change — everything works perfectly with stable LTE.

Great!! Glad it worked out with 'minimal' fuss, figured it'd be a SIM issue, just didn't expect an ESIM. Enjoy it and let us know how well the nav works out, outside NA.

 

[Dynamo]

Great!! Glad it worked out with 'minimal' fuss, figured it'd be a SIM issue, just didn't expect an ESIM. Enjoy it and let us know how well the nav works out, outside NA.

Nav will not work till apim replacement or reprogramming with qualified electricians (and dealer do not do this stuff)

 

[Sahit]

Nav will not work till apim replacement or reprogramming with qualified electricians (and dealer do not do this stuff)

Thats right.
I I have already ordered a European APIM, and it should arrive shortly. I plan to install and configure it this week, so the navigation issue should be fully resolved as well.

 

[Peter_F]

Great News Sahit!! Well done. I might even be tempted to try that myself - instead of paying the garage to do it.

Question for everyone else who’s been so helpful:

Since it’s an eSIM, wouldn’t there be a way in the “deeper software configuration” to just “replace” the eSIM with a new eSIM from the country the truck is in? Because if that is possible then that’s what I’d do in a heartbeat.

 

[Sahit]

Great News Sahit!! Well done. I might even be tempted to try that myself - instead of paying the garage to do it.

Question for everyone else who’s been so helpful:

Since it’s an eSIM, wouldn’t there be a way in the “deeper software configuration” to just “replace” the eSIM with a new eSIM from the country the truck is in? Because if that is possible then that’s what I’d do in a heartbeat.

Honestly, don’t even bother trying that route at all.
The easiest, cheapest, and most efficient solution is exactly what I did.
Just buy a physical SIM card with a data plan, install it the way i did , and that’s it.
No deep software configuration, no reprogramming, no headaches.
You only pay for the SIM’s internet plan and you’re done. Simple and works perfectly

 

[Dynamo]

Great News Sahit!! Well done. I might even be tempted to try that myself - instead of paying the garage to do it.

Question for everyone else who’s been so helpful:

Since it’s an eSIM, wouldn’t there be a way in the “deeper software configuration” to just “replace” the eSIM with a new eSIM from the country the truck is in? Because if that is possible then that’s what I’d do in a heartbeat.

Which reason of this move in your case?
Even, if replace eSim with another eSim - not the best way - if something happens with number, cell carrier, etc - you'll need to reprogram your eSim again, in case of physical sim you just need to replace card.
Yo much hustle with esim (found chip, program it).
But I still thinks that the best way is replace TCU, because you'll have fully functional module in your vehicle, when as I told previously, with physical sim after 30 min, all remotes features with Ford app will not work

 

[Peter_F]

Which reason of this move in your case?
Even, if replace eSim with another eSim - not the best way - if something happens with number, cell carrier, etc - you'll need to reprogram your eSim again, in case of physical sim you just need to replace card.
Yo much hustle with esim (found chip, program it).
But I still thinks that the best way is replace TCU, because you'll have fully functional module in your vehicle, when as I told previously, with physical sim after 30 min, all remotes features with Ford app will not work

We relocated to Denmark and brought the truck with us.
I figured that since it’s an eSIM and it’s different on each truck, there would be a way to reconfigure it. But you’re probably right, I’ll get a physical sim-holder.

 

[Dynamo]

We relocated to Denmark and brought the truck with us.
I figured that since it’s an eSIM and it’s different on each truck, there would be a way to reconfigure it. But you’re probably right, I’ll get a physical sim-holder.

Here and below this post you can observe my wiring and other photos how to do this
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...ent-region-change-usa-to-eu.34231/post-636404

 

[Peter_F]

Here and below this post you can observe my wiring and other photos how to do this
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...ent-region-change-usa-to-eu.34231/post-636404

Thank you so much. Much appreciated!

 

[kugel]

Wait, so what do you mean that after 30 minutes no remote features work? how does the physical sim differ from eSim in this regard?

 

[Dynamo]

Wait, so what do you mean that after 30 minutes no remote features work? how does the physical sim differ from eSim in this regard?

30 minutes after the car is locked, all modules go to sleep, including the TCU. After this time, remote lock/unlock/climate will not work, only Phone as a key or controls will work when in close proximity to the car. Also, note that this does not apply when the car is charging, in which case the TCU will continue to work. What is the difference between a SIM and an eSIM? At a minimum, the native eSIM is entered into the Ford database (its number and other data), then, through the app, when you use remote functions, an encrypted SMS “wakes up” the TCU, and it starts the car or performs another function accordingly. Unfortunately, a simple call or SMS to your external SIM card does not activate the TCU. All you can do is increase the sleep timeout for the TCU (I think 4 hours is the maximum) or develop your own CAN bus adapter with an external power battery that will prevent the modem from going to sleep.

 

[kugel]

Interesting. That's actually quite a big inconvenience if the TCU cannot be woken up through the app. Just thinking of commuting to work and leaving the car parked outside without charging. But I still wonder if it is encrypted SMS that wakes up the TCU, couldn't that be done by the user? If I understood correctly Ford backend sends the "wakeup call" to the TCU? I guess alternative solution would be to somehow prevent the TCU ever going to sleep. If it could draw energy from the HV battery that would not be a problem but I guess that is using the 12V battery in which case it would be a terrible idea?

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