Does the Truck GPS require TCU connectivity?

[SilverPigeon]

There's just one annoying thing that upsets my OCD: whenever I glance at my dash, my compass indicator is stuck on "N" (north) no matter the direction I'm headed. As can be seen in the photo, GPS is disabled on my truck; I'll never have TCU connectivity (previously confirmed) so I wonder if there's a way to enable GPS without it? If anyone could guide me on this, that would be great (maybe @Jesse-Infotainment: do you know?)

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[Buyer2021]

See the attached and use Acrobat search for the terms compass and GPS (multiple mentions of both in this section of the Workshop Manual).

I don't think you be happy about what you learn, but perhaps at least better informed.

Maybe Jesse has the ultimate answer, Good Luck.

 

[SilverPigeon]

@Buyer2021, thank you very much for this, it's excellent operational info ?. The following (for future peoples' reference should the issue be solved) is particularly useful:

"...The satellite antenna sends satellite radio and GPS data through the satellite radio cable to a splitter (integrated into the cable)...

"...SYNC 4 The compass data is sent through the GPS cable to the APIM . The APIM uses this data in addition to wheel speed and wheel rotation direction messages from the ABS module to calculate and provide accurate vehicle tracking. The APIM processes the data and transmits it through the LVDS cable to the display unit...

"...The primary means of communication between the TCU and the cellular network uses a cellular antenna integrated into the GPS /satellite radio antenna...

"GPS Antenna The antenna contains a GPS antenna circuit board that receives radio waves containing GPS data. The data is sent through the coaxial cable to... the APIM (SYNC 4). If equipped with a satellite radio, the data is sent through the coaxial cable to a splitter where the data is then sent to the APIM."

So, one of the things I did do was disable SDARS and SiriusXM; these may have affected the operation of GPS, the antenna module and cable(s) being split. I'll try restoring those changes and report back. Thanks again ?

 

[Buyer2021]

OK, so perhaps this of interest too. Rather many pages but again, it's a word / term searchable PDF.

Have Fun!

 

[SilverPigeon]

Thank you very much @Buyer2021, re-enabling SDARS and/or SiriusXM and a APIM reboot in FORScan brought my compass back. Seems that disabling it will disable the GPS from using the aerial or blocking the APIM from receiving the signal ?‍. I will lock down exactly what change does it, then people will know what to steer clear of ?

I'll have a look at the other file when I get done ?

 

[Buyer2021]

YooHoo - happy to read of success and hopefully reduced OCD stress! Congratulations!

 

[SilverPigeon]

Thanks @Buyer2021 , and thanks for the Diag info second file ?.
Having reverted each APIM edit one at a time and FORScan-rebooting the APIM each time, I am now chasing my tail because it's not gone bad as I expected it to. The APIM must have latched to no GPS at some past time ?‍. I'm going to get a few on/off drive cycles in over the next couple of weeks to see if it reverts to being bad... Will update by then. Thanks again ?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Just out of curiosity if you connect truck via WiFi to a phone hotspot what does the map do? ?

 

[SilverPigeon]

Just out of curiosity if you connect truck via WiFi to a phone hotspot what does the map do? ?

Sweet FA ?... when I use Google maps on CarPlay though, it has direction from the phone gps... I just hate it if the dash doesn't agree with it ?

The first doc that Buyer2021 gave me seems to say that the APIM display of gps info comes (for the 12" APIM) directly from the gps/satnav split aerial module, the APIM configuration has a "reflect" setting that mirrors the APIM-displayed compass to the IPC. The maps are a separate subsystem(?) ?‍

 

[fordtruckman2003]

So no secret Australian maps in there. ?‍

 

[HammaMan]

Curious if part of the conversion they did included swapping over the passenger seat occupancy sensor (the overhead console should indicate the passenger airbag turning on/off as it senses weight). What about your driver seat memory, does that work properly? Is your seat 10 way or 8 way (the slider that goes forwards and backwards, both the front and rear should be able to raise independently). As someone that's been all through the seats, just curious how detailed the right-hand-drive conversion is and see if they cut little corners

 

[fordtruckman2003]

This guy showing truck in Australia with the GPS working. You need that VIN to get the asbuilt info. ?

@14:56

 

[SilverPigeon]

So no secret Australian maps in there. ?‍

Nope, Aussie Maps need to be loaded from initial files, USB or OTA... I can do without because the nice lady in Google maps tells me where to get off ?

Curious if part of the conversion they did included swapping over the passenger seat occupancy sensor (the overhead console should indicate the passenger airbag turning on/off as it senses weight). What about your driver seat memory, does that work properly? Is your seat 10 way or 8 way (the slider that goes forwards and backwards, both the front and rear should be able to raise independently). As someone that's been all through the seats, just curious how detailed the right-hand-drive conversion is and see if they cut little corners

Complete functionality in these areas; they did add custom Power Running Board modules and a LIN interface for them, so as not to confuse the DDM and PDM ?. This is as opposed to the Ford Australia Lariat Effies converted locally by Sri Lankan-owned company RMA; those Lariats don't have PRBs so those customers miss out. Things I miss out on:
1. Aussie TCU (OTAs, FordPass, neither is a big deal with FDRS available)
2. Aussie Maps (see above)
3. Remanufactured T-Bar shifter to put the M +/- buttons on the right side (no biggie as I can do a "reach-around" with my pinkie to the left side ?)

This guy showing truck in Australia with the GPS working. You need that VIN to get the asbuilt info. ?...

A nice fella some months ago sent me an Aussie APIM As-Built; without it I probably would have gotten into even more strife ?

 

[HammaMan]

I thought ford was going to sell the F150 down their coming from one of the US plants. Are they only available through a conversion company? Can you get an aussie TCU and just put it in?

 

[SilverPigeon]

I thought ford was going to sell the F150 down their coming from one of the US plants. Are they only available through a conversion company? Can you get an aussie TCU and just put it in?

Ford Australia have a few thousand XLTs and Lariats allocated to them; they bring the in and use RMA for the conversion. RMA have been doing it for about a year or two.

I chose a long-time dealer called Harrison F-Truck to get my KR imported and converted by the company they use, Vehicle Development Corporation, who have been converting for decades.

I don't know how much an Aussie TCU costs, or even if it's available yet as a spare part ?‍. However, as above, I don't really need one ??

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