Lighted Pony Project (back it!)

[NoVAguy]

there’s another theory John has that will not require opening up the car. I’m installing an auto liftgate for another car this AM and will test his theory today as well. If this theory holds true then there’s really no need for a chart.

his theory has to do with the low/high series lighting. You see theres two different headlight styles. How can you tell the difference? Simple, but looking to see how your headlights are configure.

How'd the install go? I'd love to know if this theory works and save needing to go up to the BCM.

The latest install video didn't look like it would be too difficult, but why work harder..

Sponsored

 

[NoVAguy]

So, I did not have the patience to wait for an easier install and just thought I'd give it a shot.

The taps on the old pony did not work for me, instead I pushed the pony in as much as I could to try to get a little gap and was able to stick a small pry par in there and slide off the old lock washers. It wasn't easy but, it worked, only ended up breaking off one post... Not too bad.

The hardest part was definitely getting through the firewall. Not sure if this is correct, but in the video it looks like John punctures it near the top area, while this is the easiest spot to get too from the frunk, on the other side it's MUCH easier if you try make the puncture near the bottom.

I followed the passenger headlight instructions to a T:
Pony red to grey/blue
Pony black to black/grey
Pony white to green wire via butt connector, through passenger side firewall, and to green/orange on BCM..

unfortunately, it wouldn't turn on :/

It started raining so taking a pause on the project till it lets up... but I plan to check the connections on the Posi-Taps and butt connector to see if contact wasn't made somewhere once I can. Any advise?

 

[supared]

So, I did not have the patience to wait for an easier install and just thought I'd give it a shot.

The taps on the old pony did not work for me, instead I pushed the pony in as much as I could to try to get a little gap and was able to stick a small pry par in there and slide off the old lock washers. It wasn't easy but, it worked, only ended up breaking off one post... Not too bad.

The hardest part was definitely getting through the firewall. Not sure if this is correct, but in the video it looks like John punctures it near the top area, while this is the easiest spot to get too from the frunk, on the other side it's MUCH easier if you try make the puncture near the bottom.

I followed the passenger headlight instructions to a T:
Pony red to grey/blue
Pony black to black/grey
Pony white to green wire via butt connector, through passenger side firewall, and to green/orange on BCM..

unfortunately, it wouldn't turn on :/

It started raining so taking a pause on the project till it lets up... but I plan to check the connections on the Posi-Taps and butt connector to see if contact wasn't made somewhere once I can. Any advise?

Check that Ground Posi-Tap. It doesn't look screwed in all the way at the bottom. That's where I would start. But otherwise, looks like the wiring is right. Just check connections.

Also remember it takes about 5-7 seconds to power on.

Let me know if you continue to have trouble.

 

[NoVAguy]

Check that Ground Posi-Tap. It doesn't look screwed in all the way at the bottom. That's where I would start. But otherwise, looks like the wiring is right. Just check connections.

Also remember it takes about 5-7 seconds to power on.

Let me know if you continue to have trouble.

Will check these tomorrow! Calling it a night for the time being, apparently my 12v battery seems to have drained as well while I was attempting this install :/
I couldn't get back into the car and just heard the dreaded clicks from the battery when I tried to open the doors. I did have the LVDC connector in the open position and held that way with a screwdriver the whole time.

The worst part is I had the passenger door open for 90% of the install! I thought I'd just leave it slightly ajar as bugs kept flying into the car (damn this muggy northern VA swamp weather!). Turns out it wasn't ajar enough and the latch locked.

Luckily still have access to the frunk, hooking the 12v battery up to a charger and will see what happens tomorrow.

 

[NoVAguy]

Apologies for all the constant posts.

So hooked up my Mach E to a NOCO Genius 5 last night when I suspected the battery had drained, and indeed it was.

The NOCO showed a 25% state of charge. I left it overnight and just now saw it was reading fully charged on the NOCO. Disconnected it and tried to get in, still nothing. Bunch of clicking sounds from the battery, but car wasn't responding to door code, FOB, PAAK, or Fordpass commands to unlock (note: it did say Bluetooth was connected... So there's that).

Disconnected the 12v negative terminal again and gave it some time. Reconnect the battery and still no luck.

Starting to get a little worried at this point. I just want to get into the car and at least disconnect the wire coming through to the BCM before I call Ford for assistance.

Any super savvy electrical community members in the northern VA area willing to offer some assistance?! ? Haha

 

[NoVAguy]

Fun (not so much) updated for everyone invested!

I think I may have possibly just identified why no doors will open on my vehicle, even after getting the battery charged up.
When my car died last night due to the battery drain, I did not realize till just now that the BCM was left unplugged! I know that's 100% on me.. between trying to beat the rain, not getting the pony to turn on, trying to keep bugs outta my car, and watching the install videos... it was a bit of a mess on my part. I'm about 99.999% positive an unplugged BCM would make doors, windows, etc become inoperable, regardless of state of charge for the 12v battery (John helped confirm this).

Word to the wise for everyone attempting this install, lower all windows and be sure doors DO NOT latch... Not sure what drained my 12v battery, but if anyone's concerned about drain, you could also disconnect the battery to prevent any problems there as well.

This was all through no one else's fault but my own and not a symptom of the install! Hopefully everyone has a better go at it than me, and John's been a great help the whole time, so have faith guys!

...Editing out noise to shorten the post...

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Might be worth calling a locksmith to see if they can Jimmy the door before breaking glass

 

[NoVAguy]

Might be worth calling a locksmith to see if they can Jimmy the door before breaking glass

Definitely! To be honest I didn't even know the Mach E doors could be jimmied. But yea I'd prefer to save a window breaking as a last resort so will start calling around.. Safelite just told me they'd need access to the inside of the car to remove. So that was a dead end.

Edit: @Gimme_my_MME thank you for pointing me in the easiest most obvious direction. I feel like an idiot for not even thinking that.. of course I was already an an idiot for creating this problem to begin with.. but we won't talk about that. Locksmith will be here in 45 to attempt to get into the car. Hopefully they're successful!

Edit 2: We're in! little over $100 bucks and 45 mosquito bites later.. we're in. Locksmith was able to open the door. First mach-e he'd seen and he was a little intimidated at first. He wasn't sure if he could get it. He struggled with the door lever a bit and was ready to give up but I told him to keep trying to pull on it. He did and we got it open.

Connected BCM, car unlocked and started just fine.

 

[Carlos J. Marrero]

To those of the group that have already installed the Pony, it would be good if you post pics of your Mach from the front where you can see the day lights with the illuminated pony. Pics outside in daylight and at night.

 

[RickMachE]

I'm looking forward to the more technical members validating that nothing drained over time, no hiccups with the installation.

 

[NoVAguy]

I'm looking forward to the more technical members validating that nothing drained over time, no hiccups with the installation.

I'm almost positive the battery drain was a unique problem of mine, not sure what may have been the culprit but it couldn't have been the pony. Also looking forward to seeing how the install goes for the rest of us backers, though! It was a learning experience for sure, and even though I had trouble John was super helpful every step of the way and the community here helped point me in the right direction.

 

[AlpaChino]

Just wanted to chime in with some encouragement for everyone. Check out the results of a recent install, featured on John's Facebook live video.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/i-feel-illuminated.19788/#post-468963

 

[Tampamike]

I'm almost positive the battery drain was a unique problem of mine, not sure what may have been the culprit but it couldn't have been the pony. Also looking forward to seeing how the install goes for the rest of us backers, though! It was a learning experience for sure, and even though I had trouble John was super helpful every step of the way and the community here helped point me in the right direction.

But did you get the pony to work after all that?

 

[NoVAguy]

But did you get the pony to work after all that?

Not yet. Per the photos it looks like I tapped into all the right wires in the instructions, and I double checked all connections once I was able to get back to working the install.

But I'm working with John on a solution and I'd like to echo @AlpaChino's words of encouragement. I still fully back this project and love the look of the pony!

 

[supared]

Hey all, I have updated my instructions. These are intended to supplement the videos. I hope people watch those first.

If anyone familiar with install wants to proofread, please let me know of any feedback.

Latest Installation PDf

Sponsored