Outside Temperature Gauge

[CanadianWolf]

OK so my 2010 Escape is in for a transmission recall, and i'm having the alarm system tweaked because its falsing all the time. I got to talk to the guy who the service manager said was the most knowledgeable guy they have when it comes to the vehicle electronics, computers and systems - what we can do and not do.

Because the vehicle is so computerized now, everything works together, and is controlled by the main processor in conjunction with the 2 sub processors - the one that runs the climate control system and the instrumentation system, connected by a low speed bus. Everything from the power windows, headlights, power locks, interval wipers, ALL the displays are all on the low speed databus.

The systems are uploaded with your purchased options that are linked to your VIN number, so if something needs to be replaced, they just enter the VIN and the exact part will be shipped.

They have experimented with adding options after at the customer's request. Like the message centre (a change in the instrument cluster to include that function, plus the buttons on the dash), like the temperature indicator on the side of the infotainment (radio) display, like adding Sync after.

Their results were poor, the problem is they dont have any control over the processor programming, they can't just go to a webpage and click "yes" to the outside temperature display. What they CAN do is find a vehicle that has your features PLUS the one you want, enter the VIN into the computer, and download from Ford the BIOS for the vehicle computer systems. They then upload that into your vehicle and VOILA. Well almost. He said what happened was the computer started kicking back some error codes. Some would put on the check engine light. Some would give error codes on the message centre display in the instrument cluster, and some would show errors in the radio display. He said the problem is the BIOS that gets uploaded, also has some other things in it for features or systems that are not listed, but are assumed on that VIN package. So the computer cant find a sensor for something, or cant find a damper motor etc etc.

So he said yes you can, but you might need to spend a lot of cash at the dealer trying to find a VIN BIOS that makes the computers do what you want to do, without any errors. You might find you will need to add the Sun sensor in the middle of the dash plus the interior temperature sensor plus the external temp sensor etc.

Lastly, he said that for the most part, the engine harnesses are the same from model to model, and the under-dash harnesses are the same. But the In-Cabin and outside harnesses are built-to-VIN for the features you have, and they started doing that "a few years ago".

With all that in mind, it might be cheaper to buy the whole dash including all the components including the computers and harnesses from a wrecker and hook everything up. Or start looking on the lot, find the one with the features you want to add plus all the features you already have, and ask them to upload that VIN bios into your vehicle after adding the required sensors, and maybe some unrequired ones.

[CanadianWolf]

UPDATE on the temp gauge - and other electrical upgrades.

I have befriended the most knowledgable tech at my local ford dealership, who knows (he says) quite a bit about how the ford central hub/computer works.


Anything is possible he says, however, the difficulty is Ford does not tell the dealerships how to do any modifications. AT ALL.

Here's what we can do, and with some research, we may be able to get some of what we want, quite easily and cheaply, since its all computerized...

I want to enable the external temp display and the compass to start with. Eventually I would also like to upgrade my instrument panel so it has the message centre also.

To do this, next time you are at your dealership service department, request a print out of your vehicle VIN "AS BUILT REQUEST".
This will be a 4 page print out of all the codes that make your vehicle computer do everything, including what sensors are built in and what sensors to expect (and then report if they are not working), what radio you have, what display console options there are (including the temp/compass), whether you have Sync or the NAV package, engine size and options, a/c system (auto or manual) etc etc.

The important part is the BCE modules, which are 4 digit HEX codes. The dealer can change these hex codes manually. The problem is, they dont know what the codes are for, or what to change them to, Ford will not tell them.

SO. I walked around the lot and finally found an identical Escape to mine - except it has the TEMP/COMPASS display working. AND it doesnt have any different buttons anywhere. Its basically identical except for the temp/compass and the instrument panel that I want with the message centre.

I asked (and received) the AS BUILT REQUEST print outs for both my 2010 Escape XLT with sync, and the dealerships service taxi 2010 Escape XLT with sync and the other stuff i want.

I'm going to add the temperature sensor in the front bumper, then go to the dealership and ask the tech I have befriended to change a few HEX codes from what I have currently in my truck to the HEX codes in the other truck - and see if the display starts working.

I will scan and email the AS BUILT REQUEST forms to anyone who wants them, or even better, we should start a new form that says what codes are for what function when we find them out. We should be able to discern what some of them are by comparing the HEX codes to the features each of our trucks have.

[Kurochan]

Will do when I take my truck in for her first check up in September. I would love to have temperature/compass added as well.

UPDATE on the temp gauge - and other electrical upgrades.

I have befriended the most knowledgable tech at my local ford dealership, who knows (he says) quite a bit about how the ford central hub/computer works.


Anything is possible he says, however, the difficulty is Ford does not tell the dealerships how to do any modifications. AT ALL.

Here's what we can do, and with some research, we may be able to get some of what we want, quite easily and cheaply, since its all computerized...

I want to enable the external temp display and the compass to start with. Eventually I would also like to upgrade my instrument panel so it has the message centre also.

To do this, next time you are at your dealership service department, request a print out of your vehicle VIN "AS BUILT REQUEST".
This will be a 4 page print out of all the codes that make your vehicle computer do everything, including what sensors are built in and what sensors to expect (and then report if they are not working), what radio you have, what display console options there are (including the temp/compass), whether you have Sync or the NAV package, engine size and options, a/c system (auto or manual) etc etc.

The important part is the BCE modules, which are 4 digit HEX codes. The dealer can change these hex codes manually. The problem is, they dont know what the codes are for, or what to change them to, Ford will not tell them.

SO. I walked around the lot and finally found an identical Escape to mine - except it has the TEMP/COMPASS display working. AND it doesnt have any different buttons anywhere. Its basically identical except for the temp/compass and the instrument panel that I want with the message centre.

I asked (and received) the AS BUILT REQUEST print outs for both my 2010 Escape XLT with sync, and the dealerships service taxi 2010 Escape XLT with sync and the other stuff i want.

I'm going to add the temperature sensor in the front bumper, then go to the dealership and ask the tech I have befriended to change a few HEX codes from what I have currently in my truck to the HEX codes in the other truck - and see if the display starts working.

I will scan and email the AS BUILT REQUEST forms to anyone who wants them, or even better, we should start a new form that says what codes are for what function when we find them out. We should be able to discern what some of them are by comparing the HEX codes to the features each of our trucks have.

[timothyjay2004]

Any update on the progress of this? If it is computer related, I highly doubt that it is something that it is a "one time" flash. Though I took a quick look under my hood of my 09 mariner, and didn't see any connection area.

[stiffler]

hi jpark i was wondering if i can get outside temp gauge on my 2007 mariner? weather to use a aftermarket mirror or using the info center etc ..ill check back frequently thanks ahead

[The Pope]

Bump!

Any up-date's on this issue?

[simplyteeb]

The temp probe is under the front bumber to the drivers side. It's not visible from inside the hood, but directly inside the opening in the front bumber on the drivers side. I have a 2011 Base Mariner 4 Cylinder and found the temp sensor (or where it is supposed to be screwed on) under the bumber. It has a plastic gray cap that has threads and a sharp looking point on the end. I am going to order the temp. sens from Ford and try putting it on to see what happens.

[Onefastbike]

The temp probe is under the front bumber to the drivers side. It's not visible from inside the hood, but directly inside the opening in the front bumber on the drivers side. I have a 2011 Base Mariner 4 Cylinder and found the temp sensor (or where it is supposed to be screwed on) under the bumber. It has a plastic gray cap that has threads and a sharp looking point on the end. I am going to order the temp. sens from Ford and try putting it on to see what happens.

It has been done with no positive results.

[jpark]

The way to get this to work is to find another Escape (wrecked or parted out) that has the factory sensor installed. Find the climate control module and replace yours with it, but try it first. You may need the dealer to flash other modules to recognize the new climate control module as well.

Ford apparently "programs" the climate control module at the factory to work only with the sensors installed, and that code cannot be changed in the field. I'm not sure how that works when the part needs to be replaced, though...

[intillzah]

Ford apparently "programs" the climate control module at the factory to work only with the sensors installed, and that code cannot be changed in the field. I'm not sure how that works when the part needs to be replaced, though...

I work for a CaseIH dealer and the way that Case does it is you provide them with the serial number of the vehicle and they ship you a computer module that is programmed with the configuration file that came with it from the factory.

And yes, even farm equipment uses ISO and serial buses too...