Ranger Mods

Hi everyone - hoping some of you can help me with the following problem.

I have a 2014 Ranger Wildtrak (2015 model year, built August 2014). I purchased it new when I lived in Malaysia (it was built in Thailand, not South Africa like the European Rangers are), and have imported it into the UK. I have fitted a tow bar and a wiring kit purchased from PF Jones. I installed the wiring kit carefully following all instructions, used my new Windows 10 Forscan USB Adaptor to re-programme the computer, and plugged my caravan into my newly fitted 13 pin plug on the tow bar. Unfortunately the caravan’s LED lights don’t work at all (nothing when connected to my truck, but Ok when connected to other cars). On further investigation I discovered that the trailer module from PF Jones (it is LED trailer light compatible) that I installed under the passenger seat was showing a constant red LED light. The manufacturer (Conwys) has told me this means either that the earth to the module is not connected properly or that the module is not receiving the correct CAN bus signals. I was able to confirm that the earth is connected properly and that the two CAN bus wires going into the module carried around 2.5V meaning (according to Conwys) that everything should work - but it doesn’t. They even sent me a replacement module and wiring, but those have made no difference. It has been suggested that being an import, the Can bus frequency might be different (newer) that PX1 European Rangers. A trailer module to fit 2016 and on Rangers is being sent - but I am doubtful this will work (thoughts?).

When I used Forscan to programme the truck’s computer, I was only able to make changes to the primary module. I was not able to work out how to change the secondary module. I made changes to the following four items in BCMii Central Configuration (Main)
• Rear foglight tow function
• Trailer module
• Towbar
• Trailer Stability Assist (the wiring instructions didn’t ask me to change this but I did - should I have?)

Although everyone has told me that the re-programming should have no effect on the trailer module making the trailer lights work, I have since changed the settings back to their original, but that hasn’t helped either.

The other thing I have noticed is that the number of DTCs detected is increasing (see attachment below). I was expecting there to be some associated with the ABS as during the import process the rear axle was driven at high speed on a roller whilst the front axle was stationary and this resulted in the ABS light coming on. The tester told me to expect fault codes as a result. However I am unsure about the other fault codes that have now appeared - is it something to do with the changes I made and/or fitting the trailer module and might any of them be the reason for the trailer module not working properly?

Any hints, tips, thoughts on any of the above would be very welcome.

Cheers

Can you post up the exact instructions from Conways please.

And no a 2016 module will not work. PX1 anywhere were all based on the older Mazda/Ford system.

here is the link to the instructions; https://www.pfjones.co.uk/pfjoneswiring ... ctrics.pdf

I have the black 4 pin plug under the seat, so option 2 is the appropriate option to follow.

The wiring was very easy and has been checked several times whilst on the phone to PF Jones and also to Conwys. The module is getting power, is earthed correctly and the two canbus wires have the expected voltage, but three modules (two for a PX1 and one for a PX2) have been tried and all three show a solid red LED which they say means a module power or canbus connection problem.

I tried clearing the BCMii DTCs, but U0252 won't go away, although it says it is an intermittent problem (see attachment).

I also have ABS, traction control etc.. lights on the instrument panel as of this morning. I am wondering whether this is a result of me changing the 4 settings back to their original. Perhaps I got some of that wrong (e.g. trailer stability assist). The DTC that is still a current fault is U2300 (see second attachment).

I have now spotted the write to backup button which I haven't done yet, so the primary and backups are currently different - should that matter?

I believe it is either a canbus issue or grounding.

Are you sure the canbus wires are around the correct way?

I asked Conwys the same question. They asked me to measure the voltage on each of the two can bus wires going to their trailer module (yellow wire into pin 13 was 2.35V, and the black wire into pin 14 was 2.85V. They said that was correct. Would you recommend that I try switching them around anyway? Might there be any unintended consequences of doing so?

Is it possible that one or more of the multiple DTCs (see attachment) might be causing the can bus communication issue with the trailer module?

Also, how do I get rid of the DTCs (especially the ABS, traction control dashboard light issue). Can I reset all DTCs on all modules, or will some of them require re configuring/initialising etc.., and if so, which ones and how do I do that?

Really glad you are helping out. The tow bar wiring experts I have been speaking to here are baffled since the module seems to be getting power, can bus signals, and is earthed.

One other thought - the PX2 kit they sent me gets the earth for the towing module from the black 4 pin plug found under the passenger seat which contains the two can bus wires and a brown earth wire. The PX1 kit on the other hand has a long earth wire which goes to an existing earth point on the truck's body just above the passenger foot well. The brown earth wire on the black 4 pin plug is therefore unused. I can't image it matters were the module gets its earth from, but I thought I would mention it.

Also - the module seems to receive battery power and can bus voltage (both wires) regardless of whether the ignition is on or off - is that OK?

Switch the CAN BUS wires around and try again, it will work or it won't. You will not damage anything although may get a million more DTCs.

Feel free to clear DTC at anytime, you may or may not go away. DTC reset is in the DTC tab, yellow triangle down the bottom on right.

I switched the can bus wires but no change. If the can bus wires have the correct voltage (i.e. there is connectivity), what else could be wrong with the can bus?

Will resetting any of the modules (e.g. ABS) that I have DTCs in require re-configurations / initialisations ?

No. Can you put the asbuilt all back to stock and check that the errors clear up first? Write to backup module also.

Hi Stewart,

Two things to check with you before I do anything else:
1) - I made my changes in "BCMii Central configuration (Main)", rather than "BCMii Module configuration (AS BUILT format)". Was that OK?
2) - There now seems to be a problem reading the DTC codes (see attached screen shots). Note: I haven't yet reverted the changes I made.

Cheers,
Paul.