Dealership woes

[acdii]

time to find a different dealer. Sounds like they cant get the cheese together.

[hybridbear]

Sadly the dealership woes continue...

 

The dealership I've gone to lately with the Focus Electric & Fusion Energi (Freeway Ford) had previously been a bad experience. However, they are really trying to improve their reputation and provide good customer service. The Service Advisor I have been working with is really great. He has done a very good job pushing Ford Engineering for a resolution on the issues we have with the Focus having corrupted data in MyFord Mobile. He also took note of my list of issues needing repair and ordered parts in advance to speed up the repair process.

 

Today I had the following list of repairs completed:

• TSB 14-0039 - the memory seats don't respond to the IA fobs
• TSB 14-0219 - the fuel level seems to drop very quickly right after filling the tank
• TSB 14-0175 - the ambient lighting defaults to light blue and doesn't hold the color we select
• SSM 45012 - periodically after using Sync Services the steering wheel radio controls are inoperative
• SSM 44909 - the turn signals periodically cancel before completing a turn
• TSB 13-5-18 - the trunk lid doesn't open & stay open properly

The two SSMs call for reprogramming of the same module so only one repair needed to be completed. I knew this but I wanted both issues documented with the dealer.

The receipt indicates that they did everything except the fuel level one because they said the IPC was already at the newest calibration.

However, now the remote start options are grayed out on the menu. We also have not been able to get the IA fobs to work for the memory seats even though the paperwork indicates that the BCM was reprogrammed per that TSB. I am quite disappointed that things weren't done correctly. This means another trip back to the dealership and more time wasted... I have e-mailed the SA about this and expect to hear back from him soon.

[GrySql]

You are handling things the right way I think, cudos.

[acdii]

Hope you have better luck! :)

[hybridbear]

I've twice been back to the dealer for them to fix it. First they took a stab at it themselves and they were not able to reprogram the module to fix this. Then they contacted Ford and got directions regarding how to do a "forced reprogram" of the module. They attempted that today and the remote start settings are still grayed out as you can see in the pics below. They contacted the Ford Hotline again and were told to replace the module that they have been unable to successfully reprogram. The module should arrive in a few days and once it arrives we will bring the car back to them. The dealership has done a good job throughout the process to try to fix it... They have even plugged in the car to charge so that I have enough range to get home on battery.

[hybridbear]

The dealership is replacing the "radio faceplate controls interface" according to the SA. Which module is this? Is this the FCIM?

[GrySql]

Don't know what "radio faceplate controls interface" is.

Below are the named component modules for the Audio system that sound like what your Dealer said.

 

FCIM - Front Controls Interface Module

The FCIM is one of the customer interfaces to the audio system and the HVAC module. It is separate from the ACM.

-

ACM - Audio Front Control Module

The ACM can be operated with the ignition in RUN or ACC. The accessory delay feature allows the audio system to be operated for a preset period of time after the ignition is turned off and a front door has not been opened. The ACM requires Programmable Module Installation ( PMI) when it is replaced.

-

APIM - Sync Module

The APIM consists of 2 internal modules: the Customer Interface Processor (CIP) and the VIP. These modules are not replaceable individually, but can be flashed independently, if required.

The Customer Interface Processor (CIP) interfaces with all of the inputs to the APIM. It contains an analog-to-digital-to analog converter, as well as the Bluetooth chipset. Any application upgrades that are available to the consumer are loaded directly to the Customer Interface Processor (CIP) through the USB port.

The VIP provides an interface between the Customer Interface Processor (CIP) and the vehicle. Its main functions are controlling the APIM power management and translating both inbound and outbound signals. In addition, the VIP queries the modules on the network to retrieve any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when a vehicle health report is requested.

The ACM provides the audio signals to the audio DSP module.

Edited May 21, 2015 by GrySql

[acdii]

The dealership is replacing the "radio faceplate controls interface" according to the SA. Which module is this? Is this the FCIM?

That would be the faceplate with all the switches. At least that is what it is called on the F150 in the Kicker installation guide.

[Eddie Sessum]

Wondering this since were on this topic. Has anyone had issues with the cooled or heated seats not adjusting when you press the button? (or on touch screen) Ive had mine get stuck and not respond for sometimes upto 1minute. Than if i press again it will adjust properly.

 

Ive tried to get a video but it always comes back as soon as i get my video app open on my phone. Its like it knows.

[hybridbear]

Don't know what "radio faceplate controls interface" is.

Below are the named component modules for the Audio system that sound like what your Dealer said.

 

FCIM - Front Controls Interface Module

The FCIM is one of the customer interfaces to the audio system and the HVAC module. It is separate from the ACM.

-

ACM - Audio Front Control Module

The ACM can be operated with the ignition in RUN or ACC. The accessory delay feature allows the audio system to be operated for a preset period of time after the ignition is turned off and a front door has not been opened. The ACM requires Programmable Module Installation ( PMI) when it is replaced.

-

APIM - Sync Module

The APIM consists of 2 internal modules: the Customer Interface Processor (CIP) and the VIP. These modules are not replaceable individually, but can be flashed independently, if required.

The Customer Interface Processor (CIP) interfaces with all of the inputs to the APIM. It contains an analog-to-digital-to analog converter, as well as the Bluetooth chipset. Any application upgrades that are available to the consumer are loaded directly to the Customer Interface Processor (CIP) through the USB port.

The VIP provides an interface between the Customer Interface Processor (CIP) and the vehicle. Its main functions are controlling the APIM power management and translating both inbound and outbound signals. In addition, the VIP queries the modules on the network to retrieve any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when a vehicle health report is requested.

The ACM provides the audio signals to the audio DSP module.

I thought of the FCIM since the issue has to do with climate control during remote starts... We'll see what happens. I'm wondering if it isn't a module but is a physical part. But that doesn't make much sense...

[GrySql]

I thought of the FCIM since the issue has to do with climate control during remote starts... We'll see what happens. I'm wondering if it isn't a module but is a physical part. But that doesn't make much sense...

This is the Sony FCIM, in blue.

 

[hybridbear]

This is the Sony FCIM, in blue.

 

Screen Shot 2015-05-20 at 8.47.01 PM.png

Does it include the MFT screen? I have my NuShield screen protector on there.

[GrySql]

Does it include the MFT screen? I have my NuShield screen protector on there.

No, that is a separate item. Hopefully they leave that alone :)

[Eddie Sessum]

No, that is a separate item. Hopefully they leave that alone :)

And dont damage it in the process. My friend had that worked on on a dodge which is the same modular design, they damaged the screen with a line and blamed him.

[acdii]

The panel comes off once they remove the 4 screws holding it in place. The MFT is all by itself behind it. That panel is just switches, the module is up under the dash.

[GrySql]

the module is up under the dash.

What module?

[acdii]

For controlling the HVAC/Seat heaters. That dash panel only has switches in it, the part that does the actual work is somewhere else. There really isnt much difference between the Fords when it comes to these controls, the Flex and Fusion have the same control inputs in the Titanium and Limited. The F150 is really close to those to as well. The MFT is just a touch screen with a module on it, the radio is a unit all by itself behind and underneath MFT. There is a lot of consistency between the models when it comes to these, probably for repair and troubleshooting purposes. Once you have the cosmetics off, they all look pretty much the same back there. I just had the dash apart in the F150, and the front panel has a 5 wire connection to it, thats it, and its pretty thin, so its only switches in that panel. There were about a half dozen different boxes up and inside the dash once I got the radio out. And to think, the F150 is no where near as complex as the HyTi.

[GrySql]

For controlling the HVAC/Seat heaters. That dash panel only has switches in it, the part that does the actual work is somewhere else. There really isnt much difference between the Fords when it comes to these controls, the Flex and Fusion have the same control inputs in the Titanium and Limited. The F150 is really close to those to as well. The MFT is just a touch screen with a module on it, the radio is a unit all by itself behind and underneath MFT. There is a lot of consistency between the models when it comes to these, probably for repair and troubleshooting purposes. Once you have the cosmetics off, they all look pretty much the same back there. I just had the dash apart in the F150, and the front panel has a 5 wire connection to it, thats it, and its pretty thin, so its only switches in that panel. There were about a half dozen different boxes up and inside the dash once I got the radio out. And to think, the F150 is no where near as complex as the HyTi.

I was just wondering if you knew what the part is called that HB's Dealer was talking about.

Looking at the exploded view of the Infotainment system in the center stack I see lots of 'boxes' but none are called a "radio faceplate controls interface".

The ACM and APIM (Sync) modules are below or behind the FCIM and FDIM.

 

I guess we'll find out pretty soon. ;)

Edited May 22, 2015 by GrySql

[acdii]

Yeah, wish I knew.

[hybridbear]

I noticed something today that may provide a clue... One of the grayed out options is "steering wheel". Only the 2014+ models have the option for a heated steering wheel. I wonder if maybe the dealer accidentally installed the wrong version of the software on the module which is why the menu is grayed out. They maybe tried to install the calibration for a 2014 with the heated steering wheel instead of for a 2013.

[GrySql]

I noticed something today that may provide a clue... One of the grayed out options is "steering wheel". Only the 2014+ models have the option for a heated steering wheel. I wonder if maybe the dealer accidentally installed the wrong version of the software on the module which is why the menu is grayed out. They maybe tried to install the calibration for a 2014 with the heated steering wheel instead of for a 2013.

Programming the AIPM (Sync) Module is a complicated process, you could be right.

There are 3 types of programming available with 3 types of software installation methods depending on the type of programming needed.

The Tech could have left something out or skipped a step.

Edited May 24, 2015 by GrySql

[acdii]

Sounds like you found the issue. Pretty sad when owners know more about the cars systems than the technicians do.

[hybridbear]

The FCIM was replaced today. I told the dealer about the steering wheel option showing up & the dealer said that they can't screw it up because they just plug in IDS & it reads the VIN & decides what calibration to install. They said it was Ford's fault. The new FCIM still shows the "steering wheel" option on the menu as grayed out but all the other options are back.

[GrySql]

They said it was Ford's fault.