Yellow wire no longer necessary on 2014-2017 Fusion?

Question

In Late 2015 or 2016 I did an install of a Fortin EVO-ALL unit in a 2016 Fusion Push-to-Start. I believe I followed this guide when I performed that install, and it requires a minimum firmware version of 71.35. It required the yellow wire on the 20 pin connector to be connected to Ignition+ of the vehicle.

 

I am currently attempting to install the same (not physically the same unit, but one that was previously working, and meets the minimum hardware requirements [it is version 6] in a 2017 Fusion Push-to-Start, and the current guide listed by Fortin is this one, revised last month (April). This newer revison of the guide is listed for 2014-2017 Fusions, while the older guide was listed for 2014-2016. This guide requires ONLY firmware version 4.01, and makes no mention of connecting the yellow wire in the 20 pin connector to the vehicle for remote start, only power and CAN connections.

 

When connected in this manner, with the Fortin unit in programming mode (Blue LED only), turning the ignition of the vehicle on by pressing the Start button in the vehicle does not have any affect on the unit, the LED remains blue instead of flashing like it should. I verified connections a few times, and everything does appear connected as it should be according to this latest guide. I've tried reflashing the firmware on the unit a couple of times, and verifying all options, but to no effect.

 

The troubleshooting guide, as well as a few posts on here in regards to the light just staying blue, mention the yellow wire not being connected properly as a possible cause. So my biggest conecern/question at the moment is: Is the yellow wire supposed to be connected and was omitted in this latest revision of the installation manual? Or is my issue somewhere else? Hopefully someone here will be able to help me resolve my issue, and I would be very grateful. Thanks!

Answer 1

When using version 4.01 you don't need to connect the yellow wire. If you are using any other version the yellow wire is required.

Comments

So I attempted to connect this unit with firmware 4.01 into the 2016 Push to Start, and it fails to program there as well. It shows the same symptoms, stays at blue light even after pressing the Start button in the vehicle. And the connections in this vehicle are known to be good, as there is a working Fortin unit in use there, running the 71 firmware. I tried with and without the yellow wire connected. So it seems to me that there is some issue in either the connections or the programming instructions, as it will not program in a 2016 or 2017 Push to Start vehicle. For good measure, I flashed the 71 firmware onto the Fortin unit i'm trying to install in the 2017, and it programs and functions as expected on the 2016 Push to Start vehicle. I will not have access to the 2017 until tomorrow to test anything, but what do you make of the results I've come up with?

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I have not yet seen this symptom you are describing. When you are in the vehicle give us a call toll free so we can take a look at what is going on together. You can ask for me if you would like my name is Derek.

Toll Free: 1-877-336-7797

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Just wanted to update you, it turned out I didn't damage the white wire like we discussed on the phone, I was just attempting to test it with the ignition off, which caused it to read 0V. With the ignition on, it read ~2.5V like it was supposed to. I remade this connection to the Fortin unit, and checked the blue connection as well, since my issue was related to the small gauge of wire Ford used for these two connections. As soon as I did this, the unit programmed successfully, and has been working without issue. Thanks for all of your help, and I'm looking forward to purchasing and installing more Fortin products in the future!

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Glad you fixed your connection issue and got it working Justin!