[MrCreosote]

I need to figure this out ASAP because cars at UPull&Pay are crushed quickly. If there is, getting the amp will be difficult from what I could tell.

I pulled the entire system (radio, door speakers, sub assem w/amp, sub trim) from a 2008 Mariner and there was a strange 11 pin connector from the radio sub harness that went to something under the console in front of the shifter.

NOTE: I saw a video of a guy that pulled that sub harness to do splices to new radio and that sub harness did not have that big connector and possibly not even a run to that area.

However, this doner also had Parking Assist and there was a sensor above the sub w/12 pin connection - it's possible this wiring is what goes thu that 11 pin connector to something related under the console - (not an audio amp.)

I have no wiring diagram to reference and can't find one.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cravend]

Can't say for sure, but I'd imagine the mystery connector is for the the Sirius XM radio receiver under the passenger seat... there's some wiring diagrams in the post linked below, the third photo shows the SDARS module having 11 pins.

2008+ E/M/T and Hybrid Factory Audio wiring diagrams

Here's the wiring diagram for the basic system: Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... 08aud1.jpg Here's the wiring diagram for the "Premium" system with steering-wheel audio controls: Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... 08aud2.jpg Here's...

www.escape-city.com

 

[MrCreosote]

Can't say for sure, but I'd imagine the mystery connector is for the the Sirius XM radio receiver under the passenger seat... there's some wiring diagrams in the post linked below, the third photo shows the SDARS module having 11 pins.

2008+ E/M/T and Hybrid Factory Audio wiring diagrams

Here's the wiring diagram for the basic system: Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... 08aud1.jpg Here's the wiring diagram for the "Premium" system with steering-wheel audio controls: Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... 08aud2.jpg Here's...

www.escape-city.com

Yes, you nailed it.

It is the early Sirius C260 connector (I checked the late production C263 and the colors were the same but the pin positions were different. NOTE: The pin #'s on the connector are ambiguous: #16 is in the middle of the row and there appear to be TWO poorly molded #1's.

QUESTION: Does the Sirius radio receiver have to be connected to the radio to function properly?

 

[cravend]

Yes, you nailed it.

It is the early Sirius C260 connector (I checked the late production C263 and the colors were the same but the pin positions were different. NOTE: The pin #'s on the connector are ambiguous: #16 is in the middle of the row and there appear to be TWO poorly molded #1's.

QUESTION: Does the Sirius radio receiver have to be connected to the radio to function properly?

I’ve never tried it, but I’d imagine not. They’re separate modules in FORScan, and I believe base models that didn’t come with Sirius still had the same radio control panel.

 

[bluto]

SDARS is not required for the radio to work. I have mine un-plugged with no issues except a Cnnnn code complaining that the module is offline. As a bonus, it's input is skipped when toggling through the inputs via the steering wheel controls. I believe that if one were so inclined, the as-built data on the radio module (ACM) could be changed to make it think that the vehicle is not SDARS equipped.

 

[MrCreosote]

SDARS is not required for the radio to work. I have mine un-plugged with no issues except a Cnnnn code complaining that the module is offline. As a bonus, it's input is skipped when toggling through the inputs via the steering wheel controls. I believe that if one were so inclined, the as-built data on the radio module (ACM) could be changed to make it think that the vehicle is not SDARS equipped.

That makes sense: would be "bad for business" if the SCARS had an issue and crashed the sound system.

ALSO (!) How do you change the "as built" data on the radio? Any links?

 

[dwightbresemann]

Search Forscan forums for As-Built data. FORScan forum - English & International forums

 

[Mountain Escape]

Y'all are awesome! This is what I love about real communities.

 

[MrCreosote]

Search Forscan forums for As-Built data. FORScan forum - English & International forums

Thanks, I had just discovered forscan.org forum.

I was searching their site to see if anyone specifically upgraded from Base to Premium Sound and found nothing.

I'll look some more but will post a general question regarding what steps I have to take - I suspect the ACM is the same for Basic and Premium, the only difference being AsBuilt settings. (Will be interesting to see if the subwoofer connector is present on my 10 XLT w/Base Sound.)

RE: Base Sound: The equalization is really bad: they have super low bass boost which while impressive as far as db output, but is way too much (both gain and freq) and makes everything too "thumpy".

 

[MrCreosote]

RATS! Cannot register to FORscan unless I buy their OBDII scanner.

This is Chicken and Egg problem: I need to post to forscan.org to see if it is possible to do the Basic to Premium sound upgrade. If it is not possible, I just wasted the $$$ buying the scanner.

 

[cravend]

RATS! Cannot register to FORscan unless I buy their OBDII scanner.

This is Chicken and Egg problem: I need to post to forscan.org to see if it is possible to do the Basic to Premium sound upgrade. If it is not possible, I just wasted the $$$ buying the scanner.

FWIW, my ‘08 XLT didn’t have premium sound and didn’t have the connector for a subwoofer. Also, you don’t have to buy the scanner to register: you need to buy the software license. I wonder if the two month free trial comes with an invite code?

 

[MrCreosote]

FWIW, my ‘08 XLT didn’t have premium sound and didn’t have the connector for a subwoofer. Also, you don’t have to buy the scanner to register: you need to buy the software license. I wonder if the two month free trial comes with an invite code?

Yes, I think there is a 2 month trial that may have the forum join code.

Interesting that 08 XLT didn't have sub connector, but from the differences in the ACM's between 08 and 10, I wouldn't rule out it's not present in the 10. (However, with all the options and variations, the harnesses are probably made w/ a "CNC" harness machine/robot so there is no wasted cost in duplication.)

The massive difference in AsBuilt params in the 08 and 10 ACM are massive:

• 4 addresses in the 08 Mariner Audiophile Sound
• 16 addresses in the 10 XLT Basic Sound

I knew that a dealer friend said DO NOT swap ACM's - not only might it not work, but might "brick" the car itself.

Ford says to "inhale" the settings from old unit OR VIN, and load into replacement ACM.
Given the great difference in address numbers, I seriously doubt if the 08 ACM would work in the 10.
And from what little inspection I've done with the 08 ACM, it looks like one of it's 3 connectors is the sub output, so in keeping with apparently Ford's ability to only produce what is needed for a particular build, I and not optimistic the 10 ACM will have the sub connector.

I'm not going to tear apart my 10 or start replacing components until I get confirmation from someone, somewhere, in some forum that that upgrade is possible. It might also be possible I have to find an ACM from a 10 w/Premium sound to make this work.

I wonder if Crutchfield might answer that question even though it's clear that I'm not interested in buying anything from them?

NOTE: It would be interesting to buy all the FORscan equipment to read the English word parameter settings. With 16 addresses, I'd hope there are a lot of them. (There was a F150 guy on youtube that saw only 4 settings (in words, not AB spreadsheet) in his ACM when adding a sub which apparently there is an audio output jack for the sub in the F150.)

NOTE: I get the feeling that the Word Definitions are hit and miss for various years and models. Seems like a lot of info for Gen 3 and up. Never saw any indication of Gen 1 word definitions in the FORscan pages I searched.

 

[Linna]

I think you will find Ford likes to change manufacturers and configurations of these electronics from year to year and trim levels, which is why these attempts to 'upgrade' with OEM audio components usually end up in a lot of frustration. Next thing you know, you'll want to integrate steering wheel controls or SYNC .

 

[MrCreosote]

I think you will find Ford likes to change manufacturers and configurations of these electronics from year to year and trim levels, which is why these attempts to 'upgrade' with OEM audio components usually end up in a lot of frustration. Next thing you know, you'll want to integrate steering wheel controls or SYNC .

First, I would never mess with SYNC but my '10 XLT does have audio steering wheel controls.

I'd love to have access to parts manuals to see what different ACM's are used for all of Gen 2's.

My curiosity level is so high, I'm tempted to buy all the FORscan kit to just see what "English" settings are available for my OE ACM.

I think the frustration level is lack of information. I don't even know if there are English settings for the '10 XLT ACM.