Electronics 101 Primer: It's Modules (Not Single Chips) Delaying Bronco Deliveries

[North7]

I hear you, I do and I understand your reply. However we’re making assumptions here as we don’t know what shortcuts Ford is considering and the long term impacts on performance & reliability. My warning is directed more at Ford’s lack of dedication to the brand and the fact that consumers are paying for an incomplete item. If Ford is delivering partial vehicles then let’s provide them with partial payment, with no additional fees when the missing chips arrive. Also, within a year? That’s an long time boys and girls, with ZERO faith Ford can keep they’re word on time. We’re also assuming that everything will function within necessary requirements.

This post is a good lead-in for...

Electronics 101 Primer
It is not the chips that are actually missing in any shipped/delayed vehicles. Chips are simply one element, or one component, inside of an electronic assembly, sometimes called a module, device or unit. These units are held up at the supplier awaiting the actual chips to arrive so the units can be completed and tested. Only then are the units shipped to Ford.

Dealer's will not be receiving "Chips", dealers will be receiving "Complete Modules" which contain the missing chips, for example, here is a Heated Seat Control Module for the Mustang.

An example of the actual Chips, they are the small black devices, on the green circuit board, in the open module below (three examples circled in red):

Here is an example of an acutal F-150 module being replaced. Ford ICE Mountain workers or Dealers are doing nothing more than plugging in full assemblies, similar to this.



Electronics 201 Primer

What if.... the dealer installs the chip but it doesn't work because quality control was not able to verify it worked.

DEALERS DO NOT INSTALL CHIPS!

That is not how electronics are built, the chips are received at the module suppliers and then go into the fabrication process that involves multi-million dollar production equipment. Depending on the component type, surface mount, through-hole, etc, it will use different machines and processes, see examples below.

Then, during and after all of the assembly production steps, the modules are tested and reworked as needed, then and only then are the 100% functional modules shipped to Ford.

Unfortunately, automotive marketing and media types don't know how to say, as soon as our suppliers get the chips they will build the modules and ship them.

Here is an example of a SMT, surface mount component pick & place machine that inserts the components onto the circuit boards.

Then, depending on the type of components, it's time to solder, this example is a Wave solder station where the stuffed circuit boards, with through-hole components, get soldered, in that flowing, molting solder bath.

Electronics 301 Primer

Or it could be some other small part that requires a chip that isn’t a module.

Ford technician's do not install "chips", this is a specialized skill set performed by factory automation equipment or Electronic Technicians when a single one needs to be replaced.

Automotive Technicians do not have the training, tools or knowledge how to do this without blowing out the chips due to static mishandling. Further, you have to have factory specialized test equipment to validate the installed chip is properly working within the module.

Some chip package styles will not even allow for manual install.

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[Nateandapril]

This is a great point. It’s not a singular chip that will be missing, it’s an entire module. Understanding that point it makes me think the most common places to reduce those will be in the auto start modules, heated seat and steering wheel modules. Maybe the 110v inverter

 

[Roger123]

This post is a good lead-in for...

Electronics 101 Primer
It is not the chips that are actually missing in any shipped/delayed vehicles. Chips are simply one element, or one component, inside of an electronic assembly, sometimes called a module, device or unit. These units are held up at the supplier awaiting the actual chips to arrive so the units can be completed and tested. Only then are the units shipped to Ford.

Dealer's will not be receiving "Chips", dealers will be receiving "Complete Modules" which contain the missing chips, for example, here is a Heated Seat Control Module for the Mustang.

An example of the actual Chips, they are the small black devices, on the green circuit board, in the open module below (three examples circled in red):

Here is an example of an acutal F-150 module being replaced. Ford ICE Mountain workers or Dealers are doing nothing more than plugging in full assemblies, similar to this.

Good post, I really feel some people believe dealer mechanics will be soldering in transistors on a circuit card!!

I'm pretty sure not a single "chip" is installed in any car at any factory, it's all about the modules.

This whole thing is a debacle. I just bought an Auto-Stop eliminator for $100 that has a chip in it so I can counteract the $50 chip that Ford (really the government) saw a need to include that NO ONE wants!! What a mess.

 

[markpilip]

Good post, I really feel some people believe dealer mechanics will be soldering in transistors on a circuit card!!

Yep. There's gotta be at least one post out here with some barnyard engineer clamoring for a "chip" because they have a Hakko out back.

 

[jamiep2780]

Someone I know (who is waiting for their Bronco) received a notification from Ford last wk that the vehicle would ship shortly, but without the module for the heated seats and a few other non-safety related features. The letter said that the missing modules would be available at a later date within the next 12 months for dealer to install.

 

[Theherofails]

It's not just the chips in the modules that are scarce, either.

My buddy makes certain OEM parts/accessories for the Ford Bronco on the electronics side, and they have new products waiting on simple electronics like capacitors that have 100 week lead times right now.

They are looking to go back to simpler designs that you'd see from the 1990s just to get around component shortages. Simple stuff like capacitors, resistors etc are getting rare.

It's not going to get better anytime soon and is actually likely going to get worse.

 

[drew707]

It's not just the chips in the modules that are scarce, either.

My buddy makes certain OEM parts/accessories for the Ford Bronco on the electronics side, and they have new products waiting on simple electronics like capacitors that have 100 week lead times right now.

They are looking to go back to simpler designs that you'd see from the 1990s just to get around component shortages. Simple stuff like capacitors, resistors etc are getting rare.

It's not going to get better anytime soon and is actually likely going to get worse.

So you’re saying the Sixty Six will be a true heritage model and really give you that retro feel?

 

[Pootypoot]

Great post! I do have to laugh at anyone who actually thought chips were being shipped to dealers. “Son of a bitch Steve! You didn’t use the anti-static strap and you F’ed the whole board now!”

 

[Theherofails]

So you’re saying the Sixty Six will be a true heritage model and really give you that retro feel?

You probably aren't too far off at this point!

 

[KompressorV12]

Should be interesting to see how with these labor shortages how they intend on installing modules after the fact. People with existing warranty claims already are waiting months with labor and parts shortages. Can't imagine adding tens of thousands of people to that same queue is going to play out. Ford should just give rebates.

Here are a couple articles of the big auto manufactures and what features they are removing in order to ship and sell more product

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g38179550/new-cars-tech-features-missing-chip-shortage/

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/running-list-of-cars-with-spec-changes-due-to-chip-shortage

TLR
Touchcreens
Surround view cameras
Emergency braking
Active cruise control
Heated Seats
Heated steering wheel
HD Radio
Satellite Navigation
Wireless charging
Premium Audio
Power Seats
USB Ports
Auto start stop
Blind spot monitoring
Rear traffic alert
Ambient lighting

 

[Iron Oxide]

don't you try to interrupt my God given ignorant rage with "facts" and "insight"

*shakes fist at sky* CHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPS

 

[Evergreen]

This post is a good lead-in for...

Electronics 101 Primer
It is not the chips that are actually missing in any shipped/delayed vehicles. Chips are simply one element, or one component, inside of an electronic assembly, sometimes called a module, device or unit. These units are held up at the supplier awaiting the actual chips to arrive so the units can be completed and tested. Only then are the units shipped to Ford.

Dealer's will not be receiving "Chips", dealers will be receiving "Complete Modules" which contain the missing chips, for example, here is a Heated Seat Control Module for the Mustang.

An example of the actual Chips, they are the small black devices, on the green circuit board, in the open module below (three examples circled in red):

Here is an example of an acutal F-150 module being replaced. Ford ICE Mountain workers or Dealers are doing nothing more than plugging in full assemblies, similar to this.



Electronics 201 Primer

DEALERS DO NOT INSTALL CHIPS!

That is not how electronics are built, the chips are received at the module suppliers and then go into the fabrication process that involves multi-million dollar production equipment. Depending on the component type, surface mount, through-hole, etc, it will use different machines and processes, see examples below.

Then, during and after all of the assembly production steps, the modules are tested and reworked as needed, then and only then are the 100% functional modules shipped to Ford.

Unfortunately, automotive marketing and media types don't know how to say, as soon as our suppliers get the chips they will build the modules and ship them.

Here is an example of a SMT, surface mount component pick & place machine that inserts the components onto the circuit boards.

Then, depending on the type of components, it's time to solder, this example is a Wave solder station where the stuffed circuit boards, with through-hole components, get soldered, in that flowing, molting solder bath.

Electronics 301 Primer

Ford technician's do not install "chips", this is a specialized skill set performed by factory automation equipment or Electronic Technicians when a single one needs to be replaced.

Automotive Technicians do not have the training, tools or knowledge how to do this without blowing out the chips due to static mishandling. Further, you have to have factory specialized test equipment to validate the installed chip is properly working within the module.

Some chip package styles will not even allow for manual install.

This is literally the "Frankenstein was the monster, not the doctor" of the Bronco forums lol.

 

[nomnom]

but I just saw tons of chips at the grocery store. Potato, chocolate, tortilla..

Seriously though thanks for the explanation and clearing it up for some who may be confused

 

[Phil]

This post is a good lead-in for...

Electronics 101 Primer
It is not the chips that are actually missing in any shipped/delayed vehicles. Chips are simply one element, or one component, inside of an electronic assembly, sometimes called a module, device or unit. These units are held up at the supplier awaiting the actual chips to arrive so the units can be completed and tested. Only then are the units shipped to Ford.

Dealer's will not be receiving "Chips", dealers will be receiving "Complete Modules" which contain the missing chips, for example, here is a Heated Seat Control Module for the Mustang.

An example of the actual Chips, they are the small black devices, on the green circuit board, in the open module below (three examples circled in red):

Here is an example of an acutal F-150 module being replaced. Ford ICE Mountain workers or Dealers are doing nothing more than plugging in full assemblies, similar to this.



Electronics 201 Primer

DEALERS DO NOT INSTALL CHIPS!

That is not how electronics are built, the chips are received at the module suppliers and then go into the fabrication process that involves multi-million dollar production equipment. Depending on the component type, surface mount, through-hole, etc, it will use different machines and processes, see examples below.

Then, during and after all of the assembly production steps, the modules are tested and reworked as needed, then and only then are the 100% functional modules shipped to Ford.

Unfortunately, automotive marketing and media types don't know how to say, as soon as our suppliers get the chips they will build the modules and ship them.

Here is an example of a SMT, surface mount component pick & place machine that inserts the components onto the circuit boards.

Then, depending on the type of components, it's time to solder, this example is a Wave solder station where the stuffed circuit boards, with through-hole components, get soldered, in that flowing, molting solder bath.

Electronics 301 Primer

Ford technician's do not install "chips", this is a specialized skill set performed by factory automation equipment or Electronic Technicians when a single one needs to be replaced.

Automotive Technicians do not have the training, tools or knowledge how to do this without blowing out the chips due to static mishandling. Further, you have to have factory specialized test equipment to validate the installed chip is properly working within the module.

Some chip package styles will not even allow for manual install.

finally. thank you for writing this post I thought about writing a similar one but here it is nice explanation

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