DIY Modem Replacement?

[HeyBales]

On eBay “NB5Z-19K350-A” shows 2018-2020 Expedition telematics unit. “NB5T-14G087-LB” shows 2023-2025 Transit telematics unit. Which would I buy if I wanted to try doing it myself?

It's bad - you can also pull it to see what's written on it.
Then don't lose the screws while you order the same.

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[JJTech]

On eBay “NB5Z-19K350-A” shows 2018-2020 Expedition telematics unit. “NB5T-14G087-LB” shows 2023-2025 Transit telematics unit. Which would I buy if I wanted to try doing it myself?

Part number in the form xxxZ- are “service part numbers”, only really useful when ordering directly from Ford/dealership.
eBay stuff you should be looking for the xxxT- part number (“engineering part number”) since that’s what is printed on the label

You could probably try to find either an exact match for the part currently in your vehicle (eBay or junkyard), should be what I posted earlier but I would actually go take a picture with of your current module to double check,
OR
Try to find something that matches the replacement part number BlueSpec posted above, either on eBay or just buying from a dealer like Levittown Ford.

In either case you’re going to need to find someone to do the PMI programming, with FDRS. I would guess that is the harder part…

Honestly probably not worth the hassle, if you can live with out the TCU features.

 

[okgaz]

I’m not you.

But those things are definitely not important enough to me to replace the modem. In some ways, it’s an improvement - I already have all connectivity tuned off while I isolate / deal with battery drain history!

Are all those things worth $700 or less but time / stress to replace? Genuinely asking, as that’s for you to say.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Engineered for the fastest and cheapest to build at the factory, repair is not high on the list of considerations.

I'm not sure the engineering or assembly comes into it; it's really just the way that document was annotated.

Care to explain this to a non-engineer?

I would say it is more counter-intuitive or illogical than it is against any engineering "standard." "Primary" and "secondary" have meanings and connotations, and they went against that when they labeled the implied "first antenna" number 2, and the implied "second antenna" number 1.

It'd be like living on the "1000 block" of Main Street" and saying 1099 Main is the first building on the block when there is a 1001 Main just down the street. Or maybe like making a positive wire "red with a black stripe" and a negative wire "black with a red stripe."

It is absolutely a extremely minor, beyond-first-world issue to grind one's gears - but it's just so easy to label and refer to things in ways that allow less opportunities for misinterpretation.

 

[AltoMavDad]

I would say it is more counter-intuitive or illogical than it is against any engineering "standard." "Primary" and "secondary" have meanings and connotations, and they went against that when they labeled the implied "first antenna" number 2, and the implied "second antenna" number 1.

ahhh I see it now

 

[Lone Ridr]

Try the auto salvage yards before ordering from eBay. You may be able to eliminate the middle man.

 

[bgn]

I would first make sure you have a way to activate that modem for your specific vehicle. Which means that likely needs to be done by a Ford dealer. Which they may or may not do if you didn't buy the part from them.

 

[lanceoak]

Engineered for the fastest and cheapest to build at the factory, repair is not high on the list of considerations.

What happens when engineers design a vehicle without mechanics involved. I remember a car that had to have the motor mounts removed to change the two rear plugs - only a moron could design that.

 

[MysticalMan]

Wow I love to see people helping people.

Thank guys

 

[Lone Ridr]

What happens when engineers design a vehicle without mechanics involved. I remember a car that had to have the motor mounts removed to change the two rear plugs - only a moron could design that.

The Chevrolet Monza was supposed to have a rotary engine. After evaluation, the engineers found that their was no savings at the gas pump. They decided to go with a cast iron small block. This decision resulted in busted front valances that required replacement, paint, and new suspension components under warranty. The front tires wore out in 6000 miles. Chevrolet said the was customer responsibility to check and wasn't covered under warranty. If the customer really howled, they replaced the tires. We got a service bulletin showing that you had to remove the left motor mount bolt and jack the engine up to replace the left front (no. 1) spark plug on the 262 V8. A mechanic patented a 2-piece spark plug socket to eliminate the Chevrolet motor mount solution. This is a short list of the engineering marvels on this particular vehicle. I didn't know too many mechanics that wouldn't be tempted to choke the life out of an engineer if he was available. Axle shafts on Mavericks? There is software readily available 30+ years ago and in use today that could have defined the problem and a fix before production.

 

[Wade3]

Long story short, took my truck to Ford and the technician said the modem has died. My vehicle is no longer under warranty so they quoted me $500 for the part and $250 for the install.

I told them to go ahead and order the part but I’m very on the fence about this. I only use the app for remote start, lock/unlock, and reminders for when I need to change the oil. For $750 I can probably live without those things.

Anyways, I can’t find record of anyone doing it themselves. Has anyone been successful? Does anyone have the part number handy? I’d like to know the cost buying direct from Ford.

I am also aware that I will likely have to have the dealership activate the modem once installed.

Thanks!

 

[Wade3]

I just purchased a 2026 Lariat 2 weeks ago, and the modem does not work. The Ford help desk told me that my new truck is not equipped one, she called me back the next day and said it did and they would get in touch with me soon. They finally called me back and said take to the dealer. My local Ford dealership has been working on it for 2 days. Apparently the technician and the Ford Engineers have to email each other on every troubleshooting step. Maybe they will figure it out. Technician says modem bad and Ford wants more troubleshooting.

 

[AltoMavDad]

Try the auto salvage yards before ordering from eBay. You may be able to eliminate the middle man.

Yes, just need to figure out if Ford would allow me to do this and still run the necessary programming.

 

[AltoMavDad]

I just purchased a 2026 Lariat 2 weeks ago, and the modem does not work. The Ford help desk told me that my new truck is not equipped one, she called me back the next day and said it did and they would get in touch with me soon. They finally called me back and said take to the dealer. My local Ford dealership has been working on it for 2 days. Apparently the technician and the Ford Engineers have to email each other on every troubleshooting step. Maybe they will figure it out. Technician says modem bad and Ford wants more troubleshooting.

Wow that’s super frustrating. Well if they order a new one and you don’t need it let me know!

 

[Butterscotch]

The code has to be extracted prior to removing the modem is just the the eSIM on your phone. In what I have read so far it appears to be matched to the VIN.
This is how Honda stopped radio thefts from their cars. Honda radios cannot be used in another Honda unless you have the four 8 digit activiation code for that specific radio.

Everything now has an EEPROM in the circuit somewhere. If it were not soldered to the PCB then it could be swapped out by anyone.

As everyone stated above this post, it's a personal decision as to how bad you need it.

But what gets me even more than that is the warning on the modem trash it if you drop it. Ouch !!!

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