Location of the "T-Box" telematics ECU

[Electric V]

Note similar discussion is ongoing at this thread: Disconnecting communications link with external computers

This solution was suggested at this thread: Disconnecting communications link with external computers

 

[MickeySw]

This solution was suggested at this thread: Disconnecting communications link with external computers

At lot easier to just remove the fuse that powers the TBOX, (post #16)..

 

[Electric V]

F49

5A

TBOX

Fuse Box Diagram MG MG5 EV (2020-2024)

Fuse box diagrams (location and assignment of electrical fuses and relays) MG MG5 EV / Roewe Ei5 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

fuse-box.info

So is this fuse F52 on the MG4? Fuse Box Diagram MG MG4 EV (2022-2024)

 

[MickeySw]

So is this fuse F52 on the MG4? Fuse Box Diagram MG MG4 EV (2022-2024)

Don’t think so, but you might have more luck posting your query on the MG4 forum.

 

[Electric V]

There is a module on the car which handles 4G/3G/V2X connectivity and is used for eCall and communication with the phone app, called the T-Box. Here's a picture: View attachment 30106
View attachment 30107

I'm investigating the possibility of disabling the car's ability to connect to cellular networks. I know the T-Box has a fuse, and I'd like to know how the car would react if that was pulled. Alternatively, I'm investigating replacing the aerial connection with a 50 ohm dummy load. I expect this will make the car behave similarly to if it had no service.

Thoughts and ideas welcomed!

Where is it located in the MG5 and MG4?

 

[Steve Kaye]

is the car still under warranty?
If so, and you modify it, will that nullify the warranty?

 

[Electric V]

is the car still under warranty?
If so, and you modify it, will that nullify the warranty?

Does it matter if the car doesn’t work anyway?

 

[Eddie99]

Hi,
Mine was intermittent so I pushed the emergency button to test it.
Got answered and explained that I was just testing.
I didn't ask if it got through to China but I'd doubt it.
I think it's a great feature of the car - sure 'they know where I am' but so what.
At least if theres a serious collision then they will be able to assist sooner.

 

[DavidHook]

Update: I finally got around to pulling the fuse for the T-BOX. I get a little warning on the dashboard that the e-call system has a fault, and my iSmart app is now unable to locate or communicate with the car. Absolutely perfect result in my opinion, very chuffed that it was so easy.

 

[Kevin Smith]

There is a module on the car which handles 4G/3G/V2X connectivity and is used for eCall and communication with the phone app, called the T-Box. Here's a picture: View attachment 30106
View attachment 30107

I'm investigating the possibility of disabling the car's ability to connect to cellular networks. I know the T-Box has a fuse, and I'd like to know how the car would react if that was pulled. Alternatively, I'm investigating replacing the aerial connection with a 50 ohm dummy load. I expect this will make the car behave similarly to if it had no service.

Thoughts and ideas welcomed!

Mine needs replaced according tot he dealer - how did I know something was wrong - red light saying can't make emergency call, clock stopped updating and lost touch with reality so can't schedule charge as it keeps changing it's idea of whether it is day or night, no response to any aspect of the app.

 

[MickeySw]

Mine needs replaced according tot he dealer - how did I know something was wrong - red light saying can't make emergency call, clock stopped updating and lost touch with reality so can't schedule charge as it keeps changing it's idea of whether it is day or night, no response to any aspect of the app.

The emergency call/iSmart faults make sense, however the clock is a strange one, @DavidHook never mentioned such a thing (post#29) hence I wonder, is it really a faulty T-Box or could something else cause similar symptoms?

 

[smokie]

I can't think of a reason why the Chinese state would be that interested in where your cars goes. Are you sure it isn't authorities closer to home that concern you?

 

[Kevin Smith]

The emergency call/iSmart faults make sense, however the clock is a strange one, @DavidHook never mentioned such a thing (post#29) hence I wonder, is it really a faulty T-Box or could something else cause similar symptoms?

The clock normally updates automatically from the web so loses this function on loss of the telecom function. What is odd is that it doesn't manage to keep approximate time using battery power whilst it has no connection but I just accepted that as a cheap no thought given MG thing! Odder still is the automatic clock update can be enabled and disabled in software but when I disabled it I could find no manual means to reset the clock which I though might help me set up a charge schedule! Again I put this down to rushing out hastily thrown together software! I suggest car makers make their computers detachable by the user and put an CR2032 battery in to maintain clock function. Then we could simply go in and exchange the computer for updates and failures... but it would require all the other modules to be plug and play.... not a task for MG perhaps.

 

[MickeySw]

Odder still is the automatic clock update can be enabled and disabled in software but when I disabled it I could find no manual means to reset the clock which I though might help me set up a charge schedule!

So below doesn’t work for you?

 

[Kevin Smith]

So below doesn’t work for you?

That's right. Mine is an MG4EV not an MG5, an SE not a trophy, none of those screens look like mine and I see no option to change the time when I disable automatic updates.

 

[MickeySw]

That's right. Mine is an MG4EV not an MG5, an SE not a trophy,

Sorry, I missed that, you may have more luck over on the MG4 forum…

 

[DavidHook]

The emergency call/iSmart faults make sense, however the clock is a strange one, @DavidHook never mentioned such a thing (post#29) hence I wonder, is it really a faulty T-Box or could something else cause similar symptoms?

It’s almost certainly getting time updates over 4G. My car now drifts by about a minute a month, I just manually correct it when it gets bad. Most computers don’t keep time that well, this is not unusual. We just don’t notice since they get time corrections over the internet too.

 

[Kevin Smith]

It’s almost certainly getting time updates over 4G. My car now drifts by about a minute a month, I just manually correct it when it gets bad. Most computers don’t keep time that well, this is not unusual. We just don’t notice since they get time corrections over the internet too.

Rather concerningly the clock can shift 6 hours overnight, which is why I can't currently use it to schedule a charge! Makes me wonder if once powered down the clock goes to sleep too or if more than the T-box is knackered!

 

[DavidHook]

Rather concerningly the clock can shift 6 hours overnight, which is why I can't currently use it to schedule a charge! Makes me wonder if once powered down the clock goes to sleep too or if more than the T-box is knackered!

A 6 hour shift suggests that the T-Box is getting confused what time zone it's supposed to be, or some other fault. there's a setting in the radio to stop it automatically setting time, maybe try turning that off and setting it manually that's what I do. it might be covered under warranty though

 

[Kevin Smith]

If it was exactly 6 hours but it isn't and is has done all sorts of random shifts, more than going round the clock so far. As stated elsewhere there seems to be no place to manually set the clock on MG4 even though I can disable auto update. I landed on MG5 forum having searched T-box and didn't notice! I'm just going to wait for the promised T-box replacement.