WattsUp
Well-known member
:arrow: UPDATE: It has been brought to my attention that some 2013 FFEs (manufactured later than mine?) have different visors than the ones pictured below. My 2013 FFE has an older style visor that matches those used for 2012 Foci (electric and non-electric) and apparently some 2013 FFE's, like mine. This is why the 2012 HomeLink visor was a "drop-in" replacement for me. It got "lucky", and you very well have as well. But, if your 2013 FFE has the newer style visor, then the 2012 HomeLink visor will not match your FFE exactly. It can still be made to work, just beware that your driver's side visor will be slightly different than the passenger side. You may also need more parts for a "complete" installation.
How To Tell Which Visor You Have
Back to the original posting...
------------
So, I ordered a brand new OEM HomeLink Visor for my FFE online for $83 on Ebay. Click here to see the original listing. (As I write this, the seller still has a several more available.)
The visor arrived today and indeed seemed to be a genuine brand-new Ford part:
Note the single wire and connector. The connector has two pins and appears to simply carry 12V power, which obviously powers both the HomeLink electronics and the vanity lamps.
I went out to my FFE and took a look at the visor "hinge". It has two little covers over the screws which pry out very easily:
You can insert a small screwdriver into the opening at the edge of each cover to pry them out (needing only very gentle force).
With the covers off, the two Torx-style screws (T20 size) which secure the hinge to the roof can be accessed:
With the screws removed, the hinge can be gently and easily pulled downwards, revealing the short connection wire:
I found the connector about an inch down the left side of the headliner (where I could feel it by inserting my finger between the roof and the headliner). It seemed to been adhered in place with the glue for the headliner (either by design or accident).
:arrow: CAUTION! Some have reported being cut by sharp edges concealed behind the headliner near the mounting hole. If you are cut, you might leave ugly blood stains on the headliner, so take it slow or wear protection.
I carefully pulled the headliner down a bit (by hooking a finger or two over the edge of the hole), felt some of the adhesive "break" away from the roof, whilst also occasionally (gently but firmly) pulling on the connector/wire. Eventually, the adhesive loosened enough for the connector to come free. There was enough wire on the other side of the connector to pull it out just enough to access it:
The connector has a little tab which must be depressed gently (again, a tiny screwdriver works well) to release it the original visor. Then, you simply connect the HomeLink visor (feeling a tiny snap from the connector tab as it re-engages), tuck the connector back down the left side of the headliner, insert the visor hinge back into the hole, re-attach the screws, and push the covers over them.
Voila! HomeLink visor in my 2013 FFE:
Next, I of course programmed the visor to operate my garage door, which was very easy.
You can find instructions for programming the HomeLink visor in the 2012 FFE owner's manual here, starting on page 149.
How To Tell Which Visor You Have
- If your visor has two screws with round covers (as pictured below) in the hinge, then you have the old-style visor and the 2012 HomeLink visor will drop in.
- If your visor has a "smooth" hinge with a "split" in it, then you have the new-style visor. The 2013 HomeLink visor can still be attached to the same "mounting point" in your FFE roof, but the hinge and the vanity mirror (inside the visor) will be visually different from the passenger side (unless you replace the visors on both sides, of course). Also, the plastic "holding" clip in your car will not quite fit the old-style visor, but you can also replace your clip with an old-style 2012 clip to fix this.
Back to the original posting...
------------
So, I ordered a brand new OEM HomeLink Visor for my FFE online for $83 on Ebay. Click here to see the original listing. (As I write this, the seller still has a several more available.)
The visor arrived today and indeed seemed to be a genuine brand-new Ford part:
Note the single wire and connector. The connector has two pins and appears to simply carry 12V power, which obviously powers both the HomeLink electronics and the vanity lamps.
I went out to my FFE and took a look at the visor "hinge". It has two little covers over the screws which pry out very easily:
You can insert a small screwdriver into the opening at the edge of each cover to pry them out (needing only very gentle force).
With the covers off, the two Torx-style screws (T20 size) which secure the hinge to the roof can be accessed:
With the screws removed, the hinge can be gently and easily pulled downwards, revealing the short connection wire:
I found the connector about an inch down the left side of the headliner (where I could feel it by inserting my finger between the roof and the headliner). It seemed to been adhered in place with the glue for the headliner (either by design or accident).
:arrow: CAUTION! Some have reported being cut by sharp edges concealed behind the headliner near the mounting hole. If you are cut, you might leave ugly blood stains on the headliner, so take it slow or wear protection.
I carefully pulled the headliner down a bit (by hooking a finger or two over the edge of the hole), felt some of the adhesive "break" away from the roof, whilst also occasionally (gently but firmly) pulling on the connector/wire. Eventually, the adhesive loosened enough for the connector to come free. There was enough wire on the other side of the connector to pull it out just enough to access it:
The connector has a little tab which must be depressed gently (again, a tiny screwdriver works well) to release it the original visor. Then, you simply connect the HomeLink visor (feeling a tiny snap from the connector tab as it re-engages), tuck the connector back down the left side of the headliner, insert the visor hinge back into the hole, re-attach the screws, and push the covers over them.
Voila! HomeLink visor in my 2013 FFE:
Next, I of course programmed the visor to operate my garage door, which was very easy.
You can find instructions for programming the HomeLink visor in the 2012 FFE owner's manual here, starting on page 149.