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

[rugedraw]

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

The problem with this method is that putting in a TCU that doesn't belong to the vehicle can cause issues with the back end server data. If the TCU that gets swapped in is not the same part number or has different firmware on it, it will cause issues with future updates via OTA or FDRS. The APIM, GWM and TCU (sometimes the IPC) need to be updated in a certain order. So if the TCU you put in the vehicle is on older or newer firmware than the one you swapped out, you end up creating a bottleneck effect. If the TCU is a different part number than the one in the vehicle, the server will not recognize it and the update files it serves up for the truck will not match; causing updates to fail and prevent future updates for the Sync modules. The safest way to prevent these issues is to use the TCU it came with.

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[Dynamo]

couldn't that be done by the user?

nope it's encrypted

If I understood correctly Ford backend sends the "wakeup call" to the TCU?

yes, but only with the factory esim

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?

It will use 12v at it's bad idea, all what you can do is extend sleep timer to 4 hrs+-

The problem with this method is that putting in a TCU that doesn't belong to the vehicle can cause issues with the back end server data. If the TCU that gets swapped in is not the same part number or has different firmware on it, it will cause issues with future updates via OTA or FDRS. The APIM, GWM and TCU (sometimes the IPC) need to be updated in a certain order. So if the TCU you put in the vehicle is on older or newer firmware than the one you swapped out, you end up creating a bottleneck effect. If the TCU is a different part number than the one in the vehicle, the server will not recognize it and the update files it serves up for the truck will not match; causing updates to fail and prevent future updates for the Sync modules. The safest way to prevent these issues is to use the TCU it came with.

Yes, but in this case, try to perform PMI via FDRS, as the official WSM wrote, if the TCU is replaced.
I have one vehicle with a working TCU (previous generation of modems) and one (new one with CAN-FD, OTA) on MME with integrated sim, and believe me, the most terrible thing is that this TCU can't start the vehicle after 30 min, when with other vehicle I can use it any time, I came to car and it's warmed up or cooled (depend from weather).

 

[kugel]

Sounds like in this case the best option would be to use new EU version reprogrammed TCU to get it function as intended.

 

[Sahit]

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?

Sounds like in this case the best option would be to use new EU version reprogrammed TCU to get it function as intended.

Yes, I agree, and that is also the plan.
I have already purchased the EU TCU and EU APIM and I am currently waiting for delivery. As I mentioned earlier, after activating the SIM, the truck has started receiving updates again. At the moment, it is downloading one update approximately every 40–48 hours.
The vehicle is still catching up on updates from 2024, so I expect it will take some time before it reaches the latest software version. Once the EU TCU and APIM arrive, I will install and program them properly and will share an update with the results

 

[chriserx]

yes, but only with the factory esim

It's highly unlikely to be able to do this, but what if you were able to port the number?

 

[Sahit]

It's highly unlikely to be able to do this, but what if you were able to port the number?

“Yes, I’ll try it and see how it goes, then we’ll see what can be done next.”

 

[Dynamo]

It's highly unlikely to be able to do this, but what if you were able to port the number?

Not possible, it's not stored in direct configuration (forscan/ucds/fdrs), not it PTS, somewhere else, but I sure that even ford employees can't do this. Why? Because if something get wrong with tcu deleaer replace it, to the factory new, and ford paid for roaming, for different carriers in regions at&t in NA, Vodafone in Europe, so they don't care about phone replacement in each tcu.
I can't understand why Ford doing this hustle with security, when tesla users with replaced sim can easily woke up modem via call or sms...
Ps even if u replace esim from another ford tcu - it will not work, so it means, that each tcu has pinned number with wich it will work.

 

[Sahit]

Not possible, it's not stored in direct configuration (forscan/ucds/fdrs), not it PTS, somewhere else, but I sure that even ford employees can't do this. Why? Because if something get wrong with tcu deleaer replace it, to the factory new, and ford paid for roaming, for different carriers in regions at&t in NA, Vodafone in Europe, so they don't care about phone replacement in each tcu.
I can't understand why Ford doing this hustle with security, when tesla users with replaced sim can easily woke up modem via call or sms...
Ps even if u replace esim from another ford tcu - it will not work, so it means, that each tcu has pinned number with wich it will work.

It’s true

Not possible, it's not stored in direct configuration (forscan/ucds/fdrs), not it PTS, somewhere else, but I sure that even ford employees can't do this. Why? Because if something get wrong with tcu deleaer replace it, to the factory new, and ford paid for roaming, for different carriers in regions at&t in NA, Vodafone in Europe, so they don't care about phone replacement in each tcu.
I can't understand why Ford doing this hustle with security, when tesla users with replaced sim can easily woke up modem via call or sms...
Ps even if u replace esim from another ford tcu - it will not work, so it means, that each tcu has pinned number with wich it will work.

It’s true that Tesla allows you to use almost any SIM card and everything works perfectly. In my case, I’m honestly just observing how things progress, because the vehicle is now receiving updates without any issues.
At the moment, I’m mainly waiting to see whether the vehicle ownership transfer in FordPass gets unlocked. Right now, I can’t remove the previous owner, and I also can’t add the vehicle to my own FordPass account yet.

 

[Dynamo]

Right now, I can’t remove the previous owner, and I also can’t add the vehicle to my own FordPass account yet.

It's strange because ford pass connect reset or master reset on sync remove all previous users and allow to add vehicle to fordpass

 

[Sahit]

It's strange because ford pass connect reset or master reset on sync remove all previous users and allow to add vehicle to fordpass

That’s exactly why this situation is confusing.
Normally, a FordPass Connect reset / SYNC master reset should remove all previous users and allow the new owner to add the vehicle to their own FordPass account. In my case, this did not happen.
Even after multiple master resets.
The previous owner is still linked on the backend
I still cannot add the vehicle to my FordPass account

 

[Sahit]

That’s exactly why this situation is confusing.
Normally, a FordPass Connect reset / SYNC master reset should remove all previous users and allow the new owner to add the vehicle to their own FordPass account. In my case, this did not happen.
Even after multiple master resets.
The previous owner is still linked on the backend
I still cannot add the vehicle to my FordPass account

 

[chriserx]

Not possible, it's not stored in direct configuration (forscan/ucds/fdrs), not it PTS, somewhere else, but I sure that even ford employees can't do this. Why? Because if something get wrong with tcu deleaer replace it, to the factory new, and ford paid for roaming, for different carriers in regions at&t in NA, Vodafone in Europe, so they don't care about phone replacement in each tcu.
I can't understand why Ford doing this hustle with security, when tesla users with replaced sim can easily woke up modem via call or sms...
Ps even if u replace esim from another ford tcu - it will not work, so it means, that each tcu has pinned number with wich it will work.

I was asking solely to understand how it works on a technical level, any idea if the phone number is assigned at build time, or is it assigned in the system at first 'registration' or activation?

 

[Dynamo]

assigned at build time

I think so

 

[oris]

@Sahit any updates? Did the car let you connect it to fordpass? I imported a mustang mach e from the USA to Lithuania, and I'm thinking about doing the esim to sim swap on the TCU as you did so the car can get OTA updates. The TCU on the mme looks the same as on the f150 so in theory it should work. What kind of sim adapter did you end up using?

 

[Sahit]

@Sahit any updates? Did the car let you connect it to fordpass? I imported a mustang mach e from the USA to Lithuania, and I'm thinking about doing the esim to sim swap on the TCU as you did so the car can get OTA updates. The TCU on the mme looks the same as on the f150 so in theory it should work. What kind of sim adapter did you end up using?

The vehicle is currently receiving OTA updates every 3–5 days, one update at a time. So far, everything is working properly. However, my truck was significantly behind on updates since August 2024, so it’s still catching up.
Regarding FordPass, it has not been activated yet. I need FDRS.The main issue is that even when purchasing an FDRS subscription, the system gets blocked again. At the moment, I have not found a reliable way to properly connect and configure it through FDRS from my region.
As for the eSIM to physical SIM conversion, I removed the TCU and sent it to a mobile phone repair technician. Using the wiring diagram shared here on the forum, they installed a standard SIM card slot onto the board. After reinstalling the TCU, the vehicle connected to LTE automatically.
I’m using a regular monthly data plan SIM card with the PIN disabled. No additional coding or modifications were required

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