Adding paddle shifters to 2011 Explorer Limited

[vmozer]

Hi all,

long story short. I don't really like the way manual shifting works on my 2011 Explorer Limited. You have to shift into manual and only then you are able to use the small +- button on the side of the shifter knob. This make it a hassle when you want to make a quick downshift when approaching traffic lights or going into a junction or just use engine to brake. On the other hand, I like a lot how the paddle shifters work on Sport trims (Explorer and Edge alike). Here you can use the paddle shifters in the Drive mode (no need to shift into Manual or Sport) to up/downshift, this is kind of temporary Manual mode.

Here is what I have done so far:
1. Purchased and replaced a Sports trim steering wheel with paddle shifters - no big deal here, the wheel itself is plug and play. After thinking this was it I realized that the paddle shifters did not shift. After reviewing the wiring diagrams and removing the airbag (always disconnect the battery!) I confirmed that the clockspring and steering column control module (SCCM) do have the required pins and the paddle shifter connections just run straight through them. But the male connector pluging into the SCCM does not have the required pins/wiring for the paddle shifters.
2. Installed the missing wiring to connect the paddle shifters with the transmission/powertrain control module - I purchased a 26-pin from Aliexpress (under $10 - compared to over $100 for the OEM pigtail) as I needed the extra pins. There are three pins missing in the SCCM connector C2414A - pins no. 3 (Shift UP - gray wire), 4 (Shift DOWN - green wire with a violet line) and 5 (CTRL/Signal return - yellow wire wit a violet line). I added these pins and wires and then routed these to the 8-pin floorshifter connector (C2008), where I soldered the new wires onto the existing pins no. 8(CTRL,Signal return), 9 (Shift UP), 10 (Shift DOWN). I used 20AWG wire and bought just basic yellow and green wires and then pulled it pressing against a violet paint maker tip to get the proper coloring.

The above brought the paddle shifters to life, but they function the same way as plus/minus on the floor shifter, i.e. you must shift to Manual to be able to use them.

I double checked the connectivity and when the paddle shifters are pressed there is a closed circuit between the UP or DOWN shift and CTRL, which is the way it should work. I am however, suspicious, that some programming has to be done to the PCM or elsewhere to allow this temporary shifting function I am after. At this moment the PCM does not react to the UP/DOWN signals coming when in the Drive mode. I compared PCM codes from the as build databases between the Edge Sport (2011 and 2012) as these are non-turbocharged vehicles and the PCM is the same as in my Explorer (even the pin numbers match), but could not identify anything related to the transmission function differences.

Anyway, if there is someone that has gotten this working - even activating the +- button on the floor shifter in the Drive mode - please, share you wisdom. I have read some threads on other forums but none appears to offer a solution. They, however, mentioned some tunes which allowed various features (see below) relating to this.

My main goals with this project are:
1. Get the paddle shifters to work in the Drive mode, not just in Manual
2. Disable the auto switching to the tacho when the Manual mode is selected - this was the setting of the cluster in Edge Sport 2011 - see p. 33 in the Edge 2011 owners manual and compare to the 2012 Edge or 2011 Explorer.
3. Show gear in the instrument cluster at all times - not just when in the Manual mode - mentioned that some tunes enable this feature

Thanks for any info on how to take this project further.

Vlad

 

[BadHabit]

I like where you are going with this. My only concern, might not be bad in your case, is that if you should loan your vehicle out or take it to a mechanic, they may not know to shift it using the paddles while in drive. Having the choice would be ideal. Just my thoughts and 2 cents.

 

[vmozer]

A quick update on my original post:
The ability/function that enables to use the paddle shifters (and possibly the +/- button on the shifter) is called Live in Drive. This is an official name used by Ford. Not really mentioned anywhere in the workshop or other guides.

It appears, that the Live in Drive function is enabled/disabled in PCM calibration. Although it discusses disabling this feature, this TSB 13-3-15 for Escapes indicates that Live in Drive can be disabled through reprogramming the PCM with the latest calibration using IDS

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/pubs/content/~WT/~MUS~LEN/3583/tsb13-03-15.htm

Presumably, an analogous approach can be applied to any SelectShift (SST) equipped Ford vehicle. I need go get more information on PCM calibration format, modifications etc, but it appears that this means going into the realms of tuning. Any help, suggestions, experience shared would be much appreciated.
This is also supported by a number of posts stating that this feature was enabled/modified (duration of the temporary shift) through tunes/some sort of tuning software. (Any hints?)

As concerns the unwanted IPC behavior - changing to the tacho when M or S is selected - this appears to be associated with the IPC software itself. I am considering two options at this moment:
1. Try to adjust IPC Forscan codes using the as-built data from a 2011 Edge Sport with the same features - which does behave the way I like (see original post). Little hope here, but will give it a try.
2. Try to flash IPC with the 2011 Edge Sport firmware - possibility of bricking the IPC still puts me off this option, but I am researching Forscan-related topics/forums.

Vlad