Ranger Mods

Hi folks,
First time poster here.
So. I have a 2015 Ford Ranger XL 3.2 flat deck 4X4 diesel.
I bought it from the Ford dealers with a fault that I thought would be an easy fix.
Turns out it’s not so easy......yet. Hoping someone here can help.

I have no functions on the climate control or radio. It looks like there is no power going to the buttons or dials. Only power is the blue lights. However, the CD player works but now I can’t eject the CD because the button doesn’t work. I also have control over the radio and USB from the steering wheel.

Also the indicators are flashing really fast inside the cab but normally outside. I have a trailer harness fitted. All bulbs are good.

Sync issue? BCM?
Could I swap out this whole centre unit for the later radio and climate control?

Can only assume the FDCIM is faulty. This is the module with all those buttons on.

Try disconnect/reconnect battery.
Check what fault codes exist and in what modules.
Check the plugs on the back one may have been left out or not seated correctly, for all you know someone had an aftermarket radio and facia in there and reverted before selling.
Replace with the same part between years 2015 and 2018 if there are still issues.

Are there standard incandescent bulbs in the indicators or has someone swapped them for LED?

Concentrate on the FDCIM fault first then if indicators persist move on to those.

Hi Stewart, thanks for your reply. Very much appreciated. It is fitted with the standard incandescent bulbs. Could it be an as built issue in the BCM.

Ranger fella wrote: ↑Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:46 am Hi Stewart, thanks for your reply. Very much appreciated. It is fitted with the standard incandescent bulbs. Could it be an as built issue in the BCM.

Doubtful unless someone played at some point.

You could try writing factory asbuilt to BCM and FDCIM and see if this resolves both issues.

Awesome. Thank you. Will post result.

So, just heard back from the Ford dealers and they said they’ve fixed the indicators. It was a software upgrade and trailer port needed replacing.
Still no joy with the FDCIM. They said no errors showing in diagnostics and they swapped out the FDCIM with a working one and it still didn’t work.

Ranger fella wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 3:00 pm So, just heard back from the Ford dealers and they said they’ve fixed the indicators. It was a software upgrade and trailer port needed replacing.
Still no joy with the FDCIM. They said no errors showing in diagnostics and they swapped out the FDCIM with a working one and it still didn’t work.

Positive update, yes the plugs can be a problem. I should have put it on the list.

As for the FDCIM I cannot think of anything else. It sounds like a CANBUS issue, not sending or receiving messages. Can you confirm if the module is actually showing up in Forscan or the dealer IDS software?

Hi Stewart, so I’m getting second hand info here from the Ford service manager who said that the technician who is running diagnostics on it has gone to Ford HQ here in NZ with a bunch of codes he got from my Ranger to see if they know what the issue is. Supposedly he remembers having a similar issue a few years back. I’ll find out what he finds out on Monday or Tuesday next week. Thanks, Pete

Assume you do not have Forscan so can post your own data?

Let us know how you get on.

I just bought the Ranger but I will definitely be getting forscan

So the latest info I’ve received from the dealers is that they believe it’s either a gateway module or wiring issue.

Hi folks, so the latest and greatest info received from the dealers is they found no communication on MS canbus comm wire from gateway control module to the radio/climate module.

Also found fault codes for communication between BCM to PCM???

Be odd if it was the GWM but possible. Possibly damaged can wire to FCIM then or I would expect to see messages from multiple modules complaining about no comms. Does your remote unlock and lock the vehicle still? That is also on MS can.

There has to be comms between BCM and PCM or the vehicle would not start. There is only HS1 can between BCM and PCM.

Yes, the remote locking still locks and unlocks

Means MS can is still working but plausibly not working at the plug at the FCIM. I have no idea where they test it from. If tested at the plug then it is likely damaged between main loom behind FCIM and that fly lead.

Thanks Stewart. Great intel

Actually you have an XL with FCDIM. Pretty sure that module is on the HS3 and not MS. If there was no comms on HS3 then the cluster and radio would not work. It is going to come down to where they tested from and how they tested, ocilliscope? A different way, keeping in mind MS is 125 can speed and not 500 behind the GWM.

Awesome. Thank you