Onboard modem

[SteamiestOyster]

Found the/an onboard modem. Just on the right side of the passenger footwell. If you drop the glovebox you can see the IMEI #. There's also a magenta and beige antenna connector. There is no SIM card. Looks like this unit serves for both FordPass and Connect hotspot. When I unplug it, both stop working. Tried the ATT unlock request with the IMEI # and it said that the device cannot be unlocked. Also tried to see if I could add the device to my Verizon account and it said the device cannot be added.

Took the thing apart and there is just a single circuit board in there. No SIM card slot. It's possible that there is an external sim card reader somewhere else in the car. What's interesting is that there seems to be some sort of connector at the bottom of the card. It's USB-sized but has too many contacts (10) to be USB.

Also, the host IP seems to be 192.168.100.1. Tried connecting via http and SSH and got no response.

Anyone else doing any research on the modem? My 3GB AT&T trial ran out and I am looking for ways to get the Ranger on my Verizon plan.

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[DBaz]

Thanks for the info...would love to be able to use Verizon as well.

 

[t4thfavor]

What does the back side of the board look like? It's still possible that it has a surface mount chip with the sim info burned onto it.

 

[Randy]

Wouldn't that be nice, to get Verizon plans into your truck configuration.

 

[VAMike]

Found the/an onboard modem. Just on the right side of the passenger footwell. If you drop the glovebox you can see the IMEI #. There's also a magenta and beige antenna connector. There is no SIM card.

soft sims are pretty common now, and I'd basically expect that for something like an embedded vehicle system.

Anyone else doing any research on the modem? My 3GB AT&T trial ran out and I am looking for ways to get the Ranger on my Verizon plan.

I don't expect it to happen unless there's a strategic shift by ford. More likely path to success would be a third party replacement board, but I doubt there'd be enough interest to make it financially viable unless there's 100% compatibility across a lot of ford models.

 

[t4thfavor]

My best guess is AT&T is providing them with fleet metrics and vehicle diagnostic reports for free in return for exclusivity for some period of time (could be forever).

I doubt we will see a carrier unlock unless someone sues to get one, or AT&T divorces Ford.

 

[SteamiestOyster]

What does the back side of the board look like? It's still possible that it has a surface mount chip with the sim info burned onto it.

Only one chip on the back and it's the CPU.

Found this post on f150 forum where people are adding the modem to their trucks. Looks like a very similar part. There is a drawing on there that has the pin out for the modem connector which happens to communicate over CAN bus. I happened to have a raspberry pi with CAN bus interface. I hooked it up in place of the modem and it seems to be seeing traffic. I'm thinking if I can figure out the messages sent on the CAN bus I can just turn the raspberry pi into a 4g modem.

 

[rangerdanger]

What's to stop you from buying a new modem using the existing cellular antenna?

https://5gstore.com/product/6818_pe...MI-oqI7ZGh5AIVGMNkCh3w2A_CEAQYBSABEgICzfD_BwE

 

[SteamiestOyster]

What's to stop you from buying a new modem using the existing cellular antenna?

Programmability. Need to write software to keep SYNC3 functionality such as the hotspot configuration. I'm also thinking there are some identifying data on the modem that is used for the Ford Pass app. If its the IMEI then replacing the modem would also get rid of the Ford Pass functionality. I'm hoping it's just the VIN that is passed through the network. Which would make sense because it's the VIN that is used to set up the Ford Pass app. Also because the F150 guys seem to be getting Ford Pass to work on trucks that didn't come with a modem which means they don't have IMEIs assigned to them. Passing the VIN through would be an easy implementation.

All I need is a Ford insider to pass along the interface control documentation....

 

[t4thfavor]

Only one chip on the back and it's the CPU.

Found this post on f150 forum where people are adding the modem to their trucks. Looks like a very similar part. There is a drawing on there that has the pin out for the modem connector which happens to communicate over CAN bus. I happened to have a raspberry pi with CAN bus interface. I hooked it up in place of the modem and it seems to be seeing traffic. I'm thinking if I can figure out the messages sent on the CAN bus I can just turn the raspberry pi into a 4g modem.

Once you can get the Pi to communicate with the Ford Modem, you are one step closer to finding another modem that can communicate with the trucks CANBUS system. I doubt it could be that easy though

 

[Traneman]

I am trying to find the fuse for this to reset my modem. It's not commutating with the Ford App for remote start, and I see on other forums to pull the fuse to reset it.

 

[t4thfavor]

I am trying to find the fuse for this to reset my modem. It's not commutating with the Ford App for remote start, and I see on other forums to pull the fuse to reset it.

Just unhook the negative battery cable and be done with it.

 

[DROZ23]

Found the/an onboard modem. Just on the right side of the passenger footwell. If you drop the glovebox you can see the IMEI #. There's also a magenta and beige antenna connector. There is no SIM card. Looks like this unit serves for both FordPass and Connect hotspot. When I unplug it, both stop working. Tried the ATT unlock request with the IMEI # and it said that the device cannot be unlocked. Also tried to see if I could add the device to my Verizon account and it said the device cannot be added.

Took the thing apart and there is just a single circuit board in there. No SIM card slot. It's possible that there is an external sim card reader somewhere else in the car. What's interesting is that there seems to be some sort of connector at the bottom of the card. It's USB-sized but has too many contacts (10) to be USB.

Also, the host IP seems to be 192.168.100.1. Tried connecting via http and SSH and got no response.

Anyone else doing any research on the modem? My 3GB AT&T trial ran out and I am looking for ways to get the Ranger on my Verizon plan.

This is about what I would expect. a CPU and Wi-Fi antenna port, plus the Wiring harness plug. Bet the "SIM" for lack of a better term is embedded in the board. I doubt your will ever be able to switch carriers with that module. I assume the only solution is to go full third party, but patch into the stock antenna or buy a module to retro fit. It will not work with anything ford Ui though. Unless you're just linking to the touch screen with a different software package.

 

[notsolinear]

What is the bigger goal here? They dont charge for the FordPass part, right? Is it just about enabling the hotspot in the vehicle for other WiFi devices to connect to? If so, why not just get a MiFi on your Verizon account and leave it in the car?

 

[VAMike]

What is the bigger goal here? They dont charge for the FordPass part, right? Is it just about enabling the hotspot in the vehicle for other WiFi devices to connect to? If so, why not just get a MiFi on your Verizon account and leave it in the car?

the potential advantage of built-in wifi is a better antenna mounted outside the chassis (don't know if that's the case on the ranger) in which case the reception will better than any portable device sitting inside. it's dumb that they do these exclusive tie-ups and make the built-in wifi useless, but it is what it is.

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