2 WiFi Connections, which does what?

[Gullwingdmc]

I know the car connects to the WiFi under 2 different devices, SYNC & mdm9650-tcu. Does anyone know what each connection is responsible for?

I’ve noticed that the SYNC device connects and disconnects several times during the day, but the MDM device has not connected to my router in a long time. When I go into the car and tell it to manually connect to the Wi-Fi it says connection failed, but the SYNC device still connects regularly.

I don’t know if I should forget the network and then reconnect it, or just leave it alone.

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[ProximusAl]

I know the car connects to the WiFi under 2 different devices, SYNC & mdm9650-tcu. Does anyone know what each connection is responsible for?

I’ve noticed that the SYNC device connects and disconnects several times during the day, but the MDM device has not connected to my router in a long time. When I go into the car and tell it to manually connect to the Wi-Fi it says connection failed, but the SYNC device still connects regularly.

I don’t know if I should forget the network and then reconnect it, or just leave it alone.

My mdm connects way more frequently than my SYNC, and stays online longer also...

 

[Gullwingdmc]

My mdm connects way more frequently than my SYNC, and stays online longer also...

Weird, I wonder why. I don’t want to miss out on any OTAs, so I wanted to figure out which device did what?

 

[breeves002]

One is the APIM one is the TCU.

The reason you see the TCU connect more is because it is updating the FordPass servers with car information or when you poll it. They're avoiding connecting to cellular. Since the APIM is asleep it can't do that via wifi. Saves Ford money on data.

I also *think* the TCU may be able to OTA update itself though it doesn't specifically say that in the WSM. It is likely that it pulls OTAs from the TCU wifi connection when the car is off and transfers to other places via ethernet (GWM mostly to send elsewhere).

 

[Gullwingdmc]

One is the APIM one is the TCU.

Thanks for the info. So the SYNC device is the APIM, and the mdm9650-TCU device is the TCU? I only ask because the TCU device never connects and the SYNC one always does.

it doesn't specifically say that in the WSM.

Trying to learns as much as I can, what is the WSM?

i’m concerned that if the MDM device never connects, I wont receive OTA updates.

 

[JCHLi]

I always thought the tcu was the one that connected most and had the most data usage. For me there was about a month where I saw no data usage for the tcu marked connection and I went into settings, told it to forget the network and then setup again. Has worked fine (connects to WiFi) routinely for over a month now.

I'd recommend telling it to forget the network and then set it up again.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

I always thought the tcu was the one that connected most and had the most data usage. For me there was about a month where I saw no data usage for the tcu marked connection and I went into settings, told it to forget the network and then setup again. Has worked fine (connects to WiFi) routinely for over a month now.

I'd recommend telling it to forget the network and then set it up again.

I was curious about that. That’s why I want to figure out what each device did. I may just forget the net work and reconnect it. I just don’t want it to throw an error and not connect ever again. I wish my router (ASUS) had better device logging. Right now I’m just going into the system log and searching by MAC address.

 

[CHeil402]

I don’t know if I should forget the network and then reconnect it, or just leave it alone.

I noticed that my car stopped connecting to my Wi-Fi based on what my router was telling me. When I tried to go into the car settings to manually connect it would fail as you mentioned. Forgetting the network and reconnecting did fix this for me.

 

[JCHLi]

I was curious about that. That’s why I want to figure out what each device did. I may just forget the net work and reconnect it. I just don’t want it to throw an error and not connect ever again. I wish my router (ASUS) had better device logging. Right now I’m just going into the system log and searching by MAC address.

I'm not sure how far back you can check connection logs. For me I was able to go back and see that the 78:55:cd Mac address was associated with large downloads before each OTA and the time it stopped connecting properly was right after one of the OTAs.

No guarantee you will be able to connect again after forgetting the network, but it seems like it isn't connecting anyways.

 

[adam_thedad]

I believe The mdm is the connection that enables wireless Carplay, the other is for the software updates.

 

[JCHLi]

I believe The mdm is the connection that enables wireless Carplay, the other is for the software updates.

I think you are talking about the THIRD wifi connection, which yes, connects to phone for wireless carplay and android auto. But this one is broadcasting (is that the right term?) And shouldn't show up on your router logs.

 

[CHeil402]

The "mdm" connection seems to be sending things to Ford and connects more often whereas the "sync" connection seems to be updating maps (Garmin and TomTom). You can ignore my "device is offline" warnings since my car is off.

MDM:

SYNC:

 

[breeves002]

Thanks for the info. So the SYNC device is the APIM, and the mdm9650-TCU device is the TCU? I only ask because the TCU device never connects and the SYNC one always does.



Trying to learns as much as I can, what is the WSM?

i’m concerned that if the MDM device never connects, I wont receive OTA updates.

What's your VIN I can see if it has failed updates. Though so far there have not been any wifi required updates though I'm sure this next big one will be wifi required.

TCU = telematics control unit or the cell modem

WSM = workshop manual.

 

[RickMachE]

Good point on the connection being lost. I had setup the connection to my network back on 7/2 when we got the vehicle, and figured it was fine. Checked the other day, and it wasn't connecting any longer. Did "forget" and redid the connection. Mine shows as Mach-E Sync (28:... MAC address) and Mach-E (78:... MAC address), because I think I renamed them back on 7/2.

When I redid the connection on 9/18, the amount of data crept up each day - ~200kb, then ~350kb, then ~800kb on 9/20, and now back to very low levels. Today it's already at 117kb, so it's climbing back up.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Forgetting the network and reconnecting did fix this for me.

Thanks! I know sometimes the car just goes stupid and needs to restart. So I don’t wanna screw anything up more. good to know it’s happened to other people though.

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