Telematics Control Unit

[LittleRed]

I thought it was located behind the rear seat

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[CaptAngry]

Negative. Per the Factory Service Manual, the TCU is indeed behind the center screen (or ACM as they call it). Technically the Auto Climate Control Control Module is in between the screen and the TCU.

The antenna for the TCU is behind the gauge cluster screen (the IPC)

Behind the rear seat is the audio amplifier for the sound system

 

[ilikethetunahere]

Where was the fuse box located you pulled the fuse from?

It's in the cab to the lower left of the steering wheel, behind the plastic panel where the headlight controls are.

You have to pull at the panel to pop it out. It kind of feels like you shouldn't be pulling it and you might break something. The tabs securing the panel are thick but still plastic, so I tried to be gentle. I don't know why Ford couldn't include an access panel with a real latch instead of requiring you to yank on plastic tabs.

This post shows where to start pulling, and this one shows what it looks like once you've pulled the panel away.

It didn't look like Ford included a fuse puller either, so I used some pliers to gently pull the fuse out.

 

[sign1941]

It's in the cab to the lower left of the steering wheel, behind the plastic panel where the headlight controls are.

You have to pull at the panel to pop it out. It kind of feels like you shouldn't be pulling it and you might break something. The tabs securing the panel are thick but still plastic, so I tried to be gentle. I don't know why Ford couldn't include an access panel with a real latch instead of requiring you to yank on plastic tabs.

This post shows where to start pulling, and this one shows what it looks like once you've pulled the panel away.

It didn't look like Ford included a fuse puller either, so I used some pliers to gently pull the fuse out.

Thank you! I'm going off line this weekend!

 

[BoostCreep]

How many have tried this ?

 

[billsfan788]

This thread has been very informative. I pulled the fuse yesterday and have not noticed any issues. The 5a fuse may be #8. But the number I see on the fuse box is #9. The fuse has 3 prongs on it. One input and an output for #8 and another for unused #9. The dashboard cover with the headlight switch came off much easier than I expected. If I find any driving issues I will post here again.

 

[alrashid2]

This thread has been very informative. I pulled the fuse yesterday and have not noticed any issues. The 5a fuse may be #8. But the number I see on the fuse box is #9. The fuse has 3 prongs on it. One input and an output for #8 and another for unused #9. The dashboard cover with the headlight switch came off much easier than I expected. If I find any driving issues I will post here again.

Any chance you could show or explain where the fuse panel is? The manual just has two black and white diagrams with an arrow pointing toward the steering wheel. I couldn't figure it out!

Did you say it is behind the headlight switch?

 

[got3fords]

This thread has been very informative. I pulled the fuse yesterday and have not noticed any issues. The 5a fuse may be #8. But the number I see on the fuse box is #9. The fuse has 3 prongs on it. One input and an output for #8 and another for unused #9. The dashboard cover with the headlight switch came off much easier than I expected. If I find any driving issues I will post here again.

I assume this also disables OTA updates?

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Any chance you could show or explain where the fuse panel is? The manual just has two black and white diagrams with an arrow pointing toward the steering wheel. I couldn't figure it out!

Did you say it is behind the headlight switch?

Yes.

 

[rugedraw]

I assume this also disables OTA updates?

It will disable OTA updates, use of the Ford app, and all connected or cloud enabled features. All data sharing to Ford's servers will be lost, so dealers will not be able to pull DTC code history or any kind of remote diagnosis, either.

 

[billsfan788]

I plan on putting the fuse back in 2 or 3 times a year and whenever it goes in for service. My hope is that if there are any OTA's the truck will connect to Ford and still get the information. I don't know if that will work. But I would rather try that then be spied on.

 

[rugedraw]

I plan on putting the fuse back in 2 or 3 times a year and whenever it goes in for service. My hope is that if there are any OTA's the truck will connect to Ford and still get the information. I don't know if that will work. But I would rather try that then be spied on.

An OTA trigger will remain active on the server for a vehicle for either 14 days or 30 days......depending on the type of OTA that it is. If the vehicle doesn't ping the server back within that time frame, the OTA trigger expires and gets resent randomly. A brief window of connectivity 2-3 times a year is not enough to get a vehicle caught up in updates if it has fallen behind.

 

[billsfan788]

An OTA trigger will remain active on the server for a vehicle for either 14 days or 30 days......depending on the type of OTA that it is. If the vehicle doesn't ping the server back within that time frame, the OTA trigger expires and gets resent randomly. A brief window of connectivity 2-3 times a year is not enough to get a vehicle caught up in updates if it has fallen behind.

Thanks for the information. Sounds like I will put the fuse in every weekend while the vehicle just sits in the driveway.

 

[alrashid2]

Yes.

Thank you! Did you just have to pull the panel? Or is it more involved?

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Thank you! Did you just have to pull the panel? Or is it more involved?

The one under the steering wheel is just a swift tug close to the steering wheel then it folds down. I have had mine off a few times. Not sure of side panel one.

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