What the model selection does
The Elite Pro Plug-in for the Ford Falcon I6 Barra plugs into the factory loom of a BA, BF or FG Falcon. Most pins do the same job across all three, but a handful change function from one generation to the next. One pin might be a sensor input on one car and an output on another.
To cope with that, the ECU has on-board relays that reroute those pins to the right internal circuit. When you set the Plug-in Information model during initial ECU setup, ESP switches the relays and assigns each pin its matching function in the software. On BA and FG selections you'll hear several relays click as the change is made, which is a handy confirmation that the ECU has accepted it.
The options cover BA (naturally aspirated or turbo), BF (auto or manual, NA or turbo) and FG (auto or manual, NA or turbo).
Choosing the wrong variant will cause malfunctions: sensors that read nothing, outputs that don't switch, or a signal fed into a pin expecting something else. Confirm the model before you start chasing any other fault.
Check what's actually in the car
Don't assume the badge on the trunk tells the whole story. Falcons get engine swaps, loom swaps and ECU swaps, so a car registered as one model may be running another generation's harness. What matters is the harness the ECU is plugging into.
- Compare the pins that change between models (in the table below) with what's physically wired in your loom.
- If it doesn't match the car's badge, match the selection to the harness instead.
- For the full function of every pin, use our BA, BF and FG pinout pages.
Pins that change with the model
These are the pins whose hardware assignment depends on the selection. DPO is a digital pulsed output, AVI an analog voltage input, NB a narrowband O2 input and NC not connected.
| Pin | BA | BF | FG |
|---|---|---|---|
| A02 | DPO: 4-speed auto power control solenoid (auto not currently supported) | AVI: park/neutral switch | AVI: park/neutral switch |
| A17 | DPO: 4-speed auto solenoid MCS 1 (not currently supported) | NB: pre-cat O2 sensor 1 | NB: pre-cat O2 sensor 1 |
| A18 | DPO: 4-speed auto solenoid MCS 2 (not currently supported) | Not used | Not used |
| A37 | AVI: transmission fluid temperature (4-speed auto, not currently supported) | NB: post-cat O2 sensor 2 | NB: post-cat O2 sensor 2 |
| A39 | DPO: variable pressure solenoid (4-speed auto, not currently supported) | Knock sensor 2 signal | Knock sensor 2 signal |
| A43 | DPO: lock-up solenoid (4-speed auto, not currently supported) | Signal ground for sensors | Signal ground for sensors |
| B04 | DPO: starter motor relay | DPO: starter motor relay | AVI: clutch switch |
| B05 | AVI: clutch switch (manual only) | AVI: clutch switch (manual only) | DPO: starter motor relay |
| B08 | NB: pre-cat O2 sensor 1 | DPO: battery warning light | +5V sensor supply |
| B19 | NC: third pedal position track (unused) | NC: third pedal position track (unused) | DPO: boost control (turbo models only) |
| B28 | +5V sensor supply | DPO: alternator control | DPO: alternator control |
| B29 | Signal ground for sensors | AVI: alternator monitor | AVI: alternator monitor |
Worked example: why it matters
Look at pins B04 and B05. On a BA or BF, B04 drives the starter relay and B05 reads the clutch switch. On an FG, the two are swapped. Select BF in an FG and the ECU will try to read the clutch switch on the starter relay circuit and drive the starter relay through the clutch switch input. Expect starting and clutch switch problems. It's a perfect example of a fault that looks like wiring but is really a setting.
Pin B08 is another one. It's a narrowband input on a BA, an output for the battery light on a BF and a 5V sensor supply on an FG. The wrong selection can put a 5V feed where the ECU expects to read a sensor, or leave a sensor unpowered.
You'll also notice the BA's 4-speed automatic pins are listed as not currently supported. If you have a BA auto, talk to us before you buy so we can plan how the transmission will be handled.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Usually |
|---|---|
| Starting or clutch switch problems | BA/BF selected on an FG loom or the reverse (B04/B05 swap) |
| Rear O2 or second knock sensor reads nothing | BA selected on a BF or FG loom (A37 and A39) |
| Battery light stays on, or alternator not charging | Wrong model selected for pins B08, B28 and B29 |
| No relay click when selecting BA or FG | Confirm the ECU is connected and that the new selection was actually applied |
FAQ
Can I change the model after the car is running?
Yes, but treat it like a wiring change. Recheck every sensor and output afterward, especially the pins in the table above.
What else should I check before first start?
Work through before you begin, and see vehicle CAN support for which factory functions talk to the ECU over CAN.
