GEM Hacking - Electrical Tech - Tech Section - Ford-Rangers.com Ranger Forum

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JAMMAN

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I can't find any info on this at all, if it is even possible.

Reading this: https://ford-rangers.com/forum54/238.html Seems that article is actually for an EXPO. If I remember my expos (I have owned 3 and worked on a bunch) they would lock the door at 5mph like in that article.

I have an expo GEM but would it be compatible AND is there anyone hacking GEMS? I couldn't find one article about GEM hacking.

Forscan?

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 09:24 am

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mhoward
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Jim, are you looking for a way to auto-lock the doors? That isn't handled by the GEM, but rather the RAP/CSM.

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 02:17 pm

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Mike69

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Jim, sheltonfilms did a how to on FRF, here is the link.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-to-submissions/141441-add-enable-auto-lock-1995-2003-a.html

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 02:28 pm

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JAMMAN

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Yes good article but the pictures are gone :(

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 02:38 pm

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JAMMAN

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BUT the video is in tact. :)

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 02:53 pm

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CBB9M
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I'd bet ya $20 that if you asked and if he still has them, that he'd post or send them to you. :)

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 02:58 pm

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JAMMAN

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I'm hoping he ends up liking the place so much he will post them again.. Just got done watching his 20 minute video on the rap thing and the door locks.

Was really wanting the 5MPH locking feature.

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:04 pm

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CBB9M
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JAMMAN wrote: .......... AND is there anyone hacking GEMS? I couldn't find one article about GEM hacking.

Forscan?

If you ever figure out how to monitor traffic on the vehicle network (and in the same general ballpark regarding you want to do), specifically Ford J1850, then I'm all ears, and you know why. ;)

Last edited on Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:05 pm by CBB9M

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:07 pm

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JAMMAN

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Being I didn't know there was a RAP and a GEM I'm probably out of the game LOL. Give me relays and timers and I'll feel right at home.

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:16 pm

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CBB9M
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Oh but it gets better. Starting in 04 the RAP and GEM vanished and were largely incorporated in the SJB, which for all practical purposes is a (programmable) body module that also include the CJB (ie, 2003 and back Ranger fusebox inside the vehicle). This and how the wiring is oh-so-different on the 2004+ models makes for other interesting conversations, such as how to address the desire to have the radio/wipers/PW's work after they key is turned off and prior to opening a door, and not having to embed diodes in the wiring to stop backfeeding (and because they are just another parts to fail and to be forgotten when they do).

Last edited on Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:17 pm by CBB9M

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:44 pm

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mhoward
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Jim, I suggested to Anthony to post his how-to and video here. If he does not want to, I have the how-to (complete with pics) in a Word document.

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 03:46 pm

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mhoward
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CBB9M wrote: I'd bet ya $20 that if you asked and if he still has them, that he'd post or send them to you. :)

Bill, I'll see your $20 and raise you $10. I think Anthony is an information pack rat like I am. :)

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 04:12 pm

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CBB9M
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mhoward wrote: CBB9M wrote: I'd bet ya $20 that if you asked and if he still has them, that he'd post or send them to you. :)

Bill, I'll see your $20 and raise you $10. I think Anthony is an information pack rat like I am. :)

You're making me wish that I went with my initial bet amount, which was $50. :)

*FWIW, my info pack rat status amounts to not posting much of it + my experiences/findings/discoveries for the last 2+ years. It's always available for the asking.

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 04:39 pm

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mhoward
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Bill; speaking of that... some time ago you were posting progress and info on EATC and the various flavors/variants as well as research on PWM fan controllers. Just curious... what did you decide to do? Did you mod your truck or scrap the project (inquiring minds want to know)?

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 06:25 pm

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CBB9M
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I put the EATC on hold pending resolution of one problem, but the problem is not one that would affect the EATC itself but rather, the temp display shown in the head unit. And this gets back to the need to monitor network traffic, PID's and in particular Ford proprietary PID's. This, or somehow accept having to look at a "REAR FAN" button on the head unit, which I cannot. Or....and in my dreams....figure out a way to revise that button logo and text (and blanking it out is an option but not one being seriously considered). Frustrating.

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 07:10 pm

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mhoward
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Ah, okay. A bit of OCD got in the way. :) I totally understand. Lucky for me, that button doesn't really bother me. I have an "Outside Temp" button I can install in my head unit, but the display would still read "Rear Fan Off", so I didn't change it. I was, to say the least, intrigued with your PWM fan controller thoughts. I have read elsewhere that the a PWM fan controller will not work with the analog head unit. Is that the conclusion you also came to?

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Posted: Sun Nov 26th, 2017 08:36 pm

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CBB9M
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*The idea of masking tape + black paint to remove that from the display crossed my mind awhile back. This and.....

*I can think of a way to maybe use the output of the rear fan garbage and a few switching transistors to operate another module that would display temperature. Yes switching transistors because they are simple to implement, reliable, cheap and are compact, all distinct advantages over relays when the load does not require a 30/40A relay (and a load capacity of relay I see used in many apps not even requiring such a grossly oversize relay in the first place).

*I did read about a way to make the PWM unit work with a modded EATC head unit. That one is in my back pocket if I were to do the above

*I have a thought or two on how to add the needed PID to the vehicle network without the dream of adding it to the current, as-built vehicle electronics. I would like this as the second most preferred solution; I just haven't tried it yet.

*I wouldn't call it OCD as much as a passion for excellence and doing everything right. Makes little sense to me to think about installing something that is broken then having to live with it, plus not having a possible solution with a reasonable hint of delivering a successful fix on the table. And this is exactly what led me to the first two * items at the top of this list. They're not a fix but rather, another possible solution for EATC and no dead/malfunctioning or wrong for the vehicle button. :)

Last edited on Sun Nov 26th, 2017 08:43 pm by CBB9M

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Posted: Mon Nov 27th, 2017 10:45 am

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mhoward
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Yeah, passion for excellence *IS* a better description. I like the EATC the way it currently works in my truck. I use the Rear Fan Off button to kill the AC compressor as it really IS annoying the way it kicks on and off so much.

I never thought about masking and black paint to hide the display, however if I did that, I would no longer have an indication of the state of the AC function. Unless... I only painted over "Rear Fan", leaving the word "OFF". Thanks for that thought! :)

Problem for me with the PWM unit is that it requires the modded head unit. I doubt I have the ability to mod whatever is required, and then I would be stuck with having to do it again if my head unit dies. So, I will probably stick with the analog controller, which seems to work flawlessly for me.

I have a how-to written up to install EATC that I will probably post on here. Once it is there, if you wish to share any of your knowledge or findings on the subject, that would be awesome!

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Posted: Mon Nov 27th, 2017 09:59 pm

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sheltonfilms
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I'll copy the thread over to here and re upload the pictures to another site. Damn photobucket, they pretty much broke the internet.

I'll also add the orignal EATC mod copied from cardomain before it got scrambled up years ago.

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Posted: Mon Nov 27th, 2017 10:07 pm

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mhoward
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Anthony, upload the pics to the gallery here. Then, no matter what happens to the image host, the thread will be preserved.

YOU HAD THE EATC HOW-TO FROM CARDOMAIN INTACT? I spent hours chopping, hacking, copying and pasting to get that info usable to do my install! LOL Then I created my own how-to using a different approach so you didn't hack up your truck's harness. My install can actually be reversed in a matter of a couple of hours (provided you kept the removed manual HVAC parts).

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Posted: Mon Nov 27th, 2017 10:11 pm

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sheltonfilms
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Yeah I keep forgetting about the gallery option.

I'll upload the Word file and you can add your non-hack job how to.

I emailed Bob (rwenzing) and he actually had it saved as well as John Griggs how to on doing the PWM mod like the Lincolns have.

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Posted: Mon Nov 27th, 2017 11:07 pm

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CBB9M
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mhoward wrote: ............. Then I created my own how-to using a different approach so you didn't hack up your truck's harness. My install can actually be reversed in a matter of a couple of hours (provided you kept the removed manual HVAC parts).

Sounds like you took a similar and/or the same road that I devised and collected parts for. Minimal alteration of OEM wiring, maximum plug-and-play and usage of a newly fabbed harness (OEM abandoned and/or not fully used), no custom built head unit, easy to replace parts and easy to unwind if SHTF and it's -10F for the next week. Oh, and FWIW, cabin temp sniffer connection at the fan, you can use the fitting off an Explorer and the footprint for it is showing on the Ranger. Just drill/file to fit, install screws to secure it, done.

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Posted: Mon Nov 27th, 2017 11:14 pm

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sheltonfilms
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How To is up.

https://ford-rangers.com/forum46/266.html

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Posted: Tue Nov 28th, 2017 08:44 am

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mhoward
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CBB9M wrote: mhoward wrote: ............. Then I created my own how-to using a different approach so you didn't hack up your truck's harness. My install can actually be reversed in a matter of a couple of hours (provided you kept the removed manual HVAC parts).

Sounds like you took a similar and/or the same road that I devised and collected parts for. Minimal alteration of OEM wiring, maximum plug-and-play and usage of a newly fabbed harness (OEM abandoned and/or not fully used), no custom built head unit, easy to replace parts and easy to unwind if SHTF and it's -10F for the next week. Oh, and FWIW, cabin temp sniffer connection at the fan, you can use the fitting off an Explorer and the footprint for it is showing on the Ranger. Just drill/file to fit, install screws to secure it, done.

My method isn't "pretty", but I just couldn't bring myself to start chopping off connectors. So each wire coming off the head unit that has to connect to the original HVAC has a spade connector soldered to it. They are then plugged into the connectors based on the wire color. The perfect scenario would have been matching "opposite" connectors that would plug into the existing harness. But we all know those don't exist.

I did the cabin temp sniffer just as you described. I bought a bilge pump hose kit at Walmart that yielded a single piece black hose of the correct size so I didn't have the brittle, pieced-together tubing in the original how-to. I also didn't use butt connectors like Griggs did in his write up -- HATE butt connectors. :)

So yeah, sounds like we were on the same page with this one. :)

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Posted: Tue Nov 28th, 2017 08:46 am

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mhoward
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sheltonfilms wrote: How To is up.

https://ford-rangers.com/forum46/266.html
Awesome. Thanks Anthony!

I was determined to have that how-to on here, so I was prepared to post it if you didn't! :)

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So many mods... so little time...

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