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(How-To) Adding LIM (speed limiter, ASL+ISA) to US Escape 2020

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6.4K views 33 replies 5 participants last post by  TxF  
#1 · (Edited)
Last edited 2025.08.05

Escape's cruise control (ACC/IACC) is a great thing, but this is for motorways. For cities, a more usable thing is a speed limiter. I had such a limiter in my previous car, and was missing it in the Escape.
Kugas do have speed limiter - a "LIM" button on the driving wheel activates it. There are two possible options - a manual one, where the driver sets the maximum speed (ASL - Adjustable Speed Limit), and an "intelligent" one, where the current road speed limit is the maximum (ISA - Intelligent Speed Assistant). The latter is comparable to the IACC, only IACC keeps the desired speed, and ISA prevents us from exceeding it. The current road speed limit is based on camera/map data (same as for the IACC).
The "LIM" button in Kugas is where the "X" is in the Escape. The "X" deactivates cruise control (in the same way as pressing the brake for a brief moment), and is not something I used a lot.
Below you can see steering wheel switch packs from Kuga MK3 (JX7T-9E740-AC, left) and Escape 2020/MkIV (LB5T-9E740-AE, right):


In the Escape, you can use Forscan to configure ASL and ISA in PCM, IPC and APIM (do a file backup of each module's Asbuilt before changing the values):

PCM:
Speed Limiting Features: With ASL, With ISA

IPC
:
Adjustable Speed Limiter: Enabled
Intelligent Speed Assistance: Enabled

APIM:

Adjustable Speed Limiter Device: Enabled
Intelligent Speed Assistance: Enabled

(note that this post erroneously listed BCM instead of PCM, thanks for @marcel46fr for notifying there's no such "features" in the BCM).
(another note is that the PCM change in Forscan is to be done in PCM Module Configuration for 2020 and in PCM Vehicle ID block configuration for 2022, which can be seen
here).

After this APIM needs to be reset (keep Seek Right and ON pressed for more than 5 seconds), and DTSCs removed.
At this point in Sync3 in Driver Assistant we can configure the Speed Limit, and choose between the manual (ASL) and intelligent (ISA) versions (Polish language here, but the graphics should still explain it):

In the intelligent mode you can adjust the limit to the tolerance between 1-10 km/h above the road limit.

But, how to enable the limiter anyway?
In the SCCM module you can configure what type of the switch packs the car has. Unfortunetely, just configuring there Kuga's left switch does not work - SCCM displays "B137F - Steering Wheel Left Switch Pack", and IPMA complains about "U0401 - Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM A". So it does identify the switches connected, and you can't just use "X" to enable the limiter.
I had to buy Kuga's switch pack, then. Kuga's part number for it is "JX7T-9E740-AC", you can probably also search for LV4T-9E740-CCW (this CCW is confirmed to be working, but same numbers ending with CDW and CEW have problems). Used parts available e.g. on ebay, or replacements on aliexpress ("VWAG AUTO Parts Store" seem to have them, see here for confirmation they do work). It appears the same part is also used in Puma, as I saw a Polish advertisement for left+right Puma switches, and it was JX7T-9E740-AC for the left one and KX7T-14K147-AB for the right one (quite neat right one, with MODE and SPORT buttons, and configurable in Forscan, so likely to work as intended). But I decided to be reasonable about it and buy just what I need.
Anyway, look carefully, as there are packs that have more than one button difference, and that's another part number, and it would mean loosing e.g. LCA button for a "cancel" one.

This is a topic that tells about replacing a steering wheel switch pack - @360alaska was enabling Lane Center Assist in his Escape SE (it also made me believe I can do the same for the LIM): https://www.fordescape.org/threads/how-to-enable-lane-centering-assist.117546

In short, what needs to be done (partially citing the original poster):
  • remove the upper steering column shroud by prying with a trim tool between the upper and lower column shroud (you can access the clips by turning the steering wheel left and right). The other part of the shroud is at the cluster, but you won't need to detach this if your screwdriver/tool for unclipping the airbag is not longer than around 15 cm.
  • disconnect the 12V batter and wait for 15-20 minutes
  • with the steering wheel in the 90 degree position insert a flat blade screwdriver and pry up to release one side of the airbag. Rotate the wheel to the left to 270 degrees and do the same for the other side.
  • disconnect the horn and airbag connectors (prying up on the orange clips for airbag ones) and set the airbag aside


  • disconnect the electrical connectors to the left and right button packs and gently pry the trim surround out with a trim tool (you don't need to touch the clips, just pull the trim)
  • swap the button pack by removing and replacing two torx screws.
  • assembly everything back

Then, configure the buttons in the SCCM:

SCCM:
Steering Wheel Switch Left: 10 - JX7T-9E740-A* / LV4T-9E740-C*

And clear the DTSCs.

The speed limiter should be working now. By pressing the "LIM" we can turn on the function, in mode as configured in Sync3. "+" and "-" set the value (keeping it pressed longer jumps to the nearest multiplifier of 10, and then next, so from 33 we go to 34 and then 40, 50, 60, same down). Pressing the "LIM" again deactivates the limiter (we can press RES to activate the last preset). Pressing the "LIM" while the limiter is deactivated turns off the limiter.
With this switch pack, the limiter and the cruise control buttons act similar: turn on -> deactivate -> turn off (with the previous pack, cruise control button was: turn on -> turn off, and "X" was used for deactivation).
In the intelligent mode (ISA) the current road limit value is used (even 20 km/h):

It can be kicky when it switches to a highe value and the pedal is pressed...

In the manual (ASL) mode you set the limit by yourself (30 km/h or more):

You can always override the limiter by pressing the pedal to the metal.
That's all, folks.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Nice work!! Where did you get the JX7T-9E740-AC Kuga part?
I only found LV4T-9E740-CCW (on Aliexpress) but would prefer to use the model you succesfully tested.
I have bought a used one on the ebay (it came from Italy). No used one now, it seems. I can see someone offers a new one, described as Focus MK4 switch, which might be also true, anyway the number matches. For sure Kuga and Puma models could have it (depending on the trim).
It will eventually pop up somewhere, this is not a part that is likely to break during a crash, the only issue is that sometimes people sell the whole steering wheel.
 
#4 · (Edited)
and KX7T-14K147-AB for the right one (quite neat right one, with MODE and SPORT buttons, and configurable in Forscan, so likely to work as intended). But I decided to be reasonable about it and buy just what I need.
Just a note on this - it's not as simple as one could wish. By default, the ABS module gets signals from HVAC (where the console Selectable Drive Modes button is connected to), and for the steering wheel SDM buttons (as in Puma ST) it is SCCM that needs to feed ABS with information. So the question is if the Escape's ABS is able to work this way.
Will be working on it.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Some additional notes.
When turning on ISA (speed limiting based on signs) with the LIM buttons, it starts up in the deactivated mode. Pressing RES activates it.
Then pressing LIM deactivates the ISA, as expected. Below the activated and deactivated modes:


Now, pressing LIM again turns the ISA off. In my Escape, though (2020, IPC LJ6T-10849-DEK/V4T-14C026-AJ) this part of the cluster display is not cleared when turning off ISA. "SET LIM" stays visible (I also saw striked through "0" value here in some cases):



So, the "LIM" information never disappears after using the ISA mode for the first time since starting the car.
The problem is when we want to use the cruise control afterwards - the display is cluttered, and the configured speed is not clearly visible:




The workaround for this (if we don't want to or can't restart the car right now) is to use Sync to reconfigure the limiter for ASL (manual limiter setting), turn the limiter on, configure the limiter for some value, then deactivate and turn off. Turning off in the ASL mode shows "SET LIM" for a brief moment, but then clears LIM information as expected.
 
#8 ·
Additional note: when the car is going faster than the limit set (happens when going downhill), a chime sounds (repeatedly). Disabling "TSR NCAP Adaptations" in APIM managed to mute it (not sure if the setting has also any other ramifications).
 
#10 ·
Some additional notes.
When turning on ISA (speed limiting based on signs) with the LIM buttons, it starts up in the deactivated mode. Pressing RES activates it.
Then pressing LIM deactivates the ISA, as expected. Below the activated and deactivated modes:
View attachment 85583 View attachment 85584

Now, pressing LIM again turns the ISA off. In my Escape, though (2020, IPC LJ6T-10849-DEK/V4T-14C026-AJ) this part of the cluster display is not cleared when turning off ISA. "SET LIM" stays visible (I also saw striked through "0" value here in some cases):

View attachment 85585

So, the "LIM" information never disappears after using the ISA mode for the first time since starting the car.
The problem is when we want to use the cruise control afterwards - the display is cluttered, and the configured speed is not clearly visible:

View attachment 85586 View attachment 85588 View attachment 85590


The workaround for this (if we don't want to or can't restart the car right now) is to use Sync to reconfigure the limiter for ASL (manual limiter setting), turn the limiter on, configure the limiter for some value, then deactivate and turn off. Turning off in the ASL mode shows "SET LIM" for a brief moment, but then clears LIM information as expected.
Dos
Some additional notes.
When turning on ISA (speed limiting based on signs) with the LIM buttons, it starts up in the deactivated mode. Pressing RES activates it.
Then pressing LIM deactivates the ISA, as expected. Below the activated and deactivated modes:
View attachment 85583 View attachment 85584

Now, pressing LIM again turns the ISA off. In my Escape, though (2020, IPC LJ6T-10849-DEK/V4T-14C026-AJ) this part of the cluster display is not cleared when turning off ISA. "SET LIM" stays visible (I also saw striked through "0" value here in some cases):

View attachment 85585

So, the "LIM" information never disappears after using the ISA mode for the first time since starting the car.
The problem is when we want to use the cruise control afterwards - the display is cluttered, and the configured speed is not clearly visible:

View attachment 85586 View attachment 85588 View attachment 85590


The workaround for this (if we don't want to or can't restart the car right now) is to use Sync to reconfigure the limiter for ASL (manual limiter setting), turn the limiter on, configure the limiter for some value, then deactivate and turn off. Turning off in the ASL mode shows "SET LIM" for a brief moment, but then clears LIM information as expected.
did you solve this?
 
#13 ·
Hello everyone. I bought buttons in this store (VWAG AUTO Parts Store ), but they sent me this model MK7T-9E740-CA ones. I tried to configure them the same way as the author of the article, but they don't work. I tried to go through all the options in SCCM, but nothing worked. Has anyone encountered this model of buttons? What car are they from?
Image

Image
 
#14 ·
#15 ·
It seems MK7T-9E740 is listed together with LV4T-9E740, like here: Amazon.co.uk
So Focus probably.
It suggests this should work the same as LV4T-9E740-C, especially that it looks the same (so does not have any other function)
The pack does not work at all for you, do you have error in the SCCM module, when you set it to "10" for the left pack?
Hi. No, there are no errors in the SCCM module, but they appear in the IPMA module and are not reset.
 
#17 ·
In the past, when I configured a different pack compared to what was installed, I got SCCM DTC B137F:96-2E (Steering Wheel Left Switch Pack) and IPMA DTC U0401:86-AF (Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM A).
So yes, IPMA can throw issues if SCCM is not getting a good configuration to what is in the car, but SCCM should throw the error as well.
Concerning the module version, I have LB5T-3F944-PF, which is the same what you have.
So if you did reconfiguration of SCCM, cleared errors, and then it still shows the issue, then maybe you should return the switch (if possible), as it should just work ok. Although all this is assuming MK7T-9E740 you got is fully compatible with LV4T-9E740, which we can't be sure of. Still, if it's not, and you ordered LV4T-9E740, it's a good reason to return as well.
 
#19 ·
Aliexpress returned my money and left the buttons. I continue to figure out the buttons. I found a datasheet, but without resistor values. I measured the resistance. Now I'm wondering how the module determines them... Maybe someone has the ability to measure the resistance between the terminals and take a photo of the internal board?
 

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#20 · (Edited)
On the Polish forum.fordclubpolska.org user andrzeju123 reported he did succeed with LV4T-9E740-CCW bought using this aliexpress offer.
Note that this offer has two options: LV4T-9E740 (LV4T-9E740-CCW on the picture), which is the correct one and confirmed to be working, and MK7T-9E740 (MK7T-9E740-BA on the picture), which is what Boris got, and obviously this is not working here.
 
#21 ·
Hi.
I confirm. I still haven't been able to activate the MK7T-9E740 buttons. I contacted the Forscan developers, and they couldn't help either. If they send MK7... from AliExpress, you can refuse it immediately. In the end, I found buttons from a Ford Puma after a fire and swapped the internal board. Everything works.
 
#24 ·
What is your trim/year?
If you can enable and have working intelligent cruise control but you can't enable intelligent speed limiter, my only reasonable guess now is that maybe you enabled just "With ISA" in the PCM, instead of "With ASL, With ISA". Or did not enable "Automatic Speed Limiter" in IPC (I have a digital cluster, so don't know how yours should act).
The button pack seems to work ok (I suppose "CEW" is a spelling error and you bought "CCW"), and APIM has both ASL and ISA enabled - though for speed limiter, it should also show the tolerance setting.
 
#27 ·
Hi
I bought buttons with "lim" LV4T-9E740-CDW from kuga that change my "x" botton. In forscan maked changes

PCM:
Speed Limiting Features: With ASL, With ISA

IPC:
Adjustable speed limiter: Enabled
Intelligent Speed Assistance: Enabled
+ Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control Speed Tolerance: Enabled

APIM:
Adjustable Speed Limiter Device: Enabled
Intelligent Speed Assistance: Enabled

SCCM:
Steering Wheel Switch Left: 10 — JX7T-9E740-A* / LV4T-9E740-C*
The item in the sync appeared, "intelligent" mode is not selected when I'm touch it.
The "lim" button is not active, but if the cruise was activated and then press the lim - the cruise turns off, working how "X" before.

What I need to do yet that it will work?

Ford escape 4 2021 awd SEL

 
#28 · (Edited)
You are the second one with this problem. All I can say is that I used Puma's original JX7T-9E740-AC and a colleague from forum.fordclubpolska.org has confirmed that LV4T-9E740-CCW works for him. @al3taibi has "CEW" instead of CCW, and you have "CDW" instead of CCW. I don't know what are differences for CDW and CEW and if it is possible to use them.