ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[Braeden]

Yeah so that UK company may be legit but the way they sell the subscription isn't.

"Engineer" from their team remotes in and activates the subscription under THEIR company account. Not under your created account.

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[speedracercjr]

Huh? Legit? For $99 a year, I'll pull the trigger right now.

I think the 99 one was similar where they remote into your pc and activate their license. Shady AF

 

[HammaMan]

Huh? Legit? For $99 a year, I'll pull the trigger right now.

I think it's a dealer or someone that bought dealer access. Haven't seen someone do it yet. Personally when my 1 year runs out I'll give it a try on a laptop dedicated to that purpose.

As to the ethics -- um, I have no qualms here. I'm getting access to software updates to my vehicle THAT SHOULD ALREADY COME WITH THE CAR. Not gated behind some ripoff dealer nonsense.

It looks like they install their own little software that regularly logs in to FDRS as you must do that every 2 days. I'm not familiar with the dealer process but their little package is essentially making you a tech of their dealer. One of the benefits is that enable key programming options that normal non-dealer accounts have no access to. Their little software is required to log in as they probably change passwords / user accounts as needed. It will revoke / install the local license file as needed. Consider it a gray market good, kind of like charging a vehicle owner to be able to handle their own electronics maintenance. Just as soon as ford can find a way to charge you for changing your own oil, they will.

 

[rugedraw]

Yeah so that UK company may be legit but the way they sell the subscription isn't.

"Engineer" from their team remotes in and activates the subscription under THEIR company account. Not under your created account.

I think the 99 one was similar where they remote into your pc and activate their license. Shady AF

Ah, ok. Got it.

I think it's a dealer or someone that bought dealer access. Haven't seen someone do it yet. Personally when my 1 year runs out I'll give it a try on a laptop dedicated to that purpose.

As to the ethics -- um, I have no qualms here. I'm getting access to software updates to my vehicle THAT SHOULD ALREADY COME WITH THE CAR. Not gated behind some ripoff dealer nonsense.

I concur. It bothers me more to have to pay Ford $50 to compensate them for their shortcomings than what it cost me to buy the Mongoose to do things myself.

 

[JEB]

The issue of alternative license sources has come up from time to time. @iceman77 , the guy who started this incredibly successful thread, requested that discussions of these alternatives be kept off the public thread. https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/post-194800. Ford does monitor this forum.

 

[rugedraw]

The issue of alternative license sources has come up from time to time. @iceman77 , the guy who started this incredibly successful thread, requested that discussions of these alternatives be kept off the public thread. https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/post-194800. Ford does monitor this forum.

Noted with thanks.

 

[surveyor]

NOTICE: If you updated the DDM/PDM modules, you need to run the 'Power Door Window Initialization' for both modules. This can be found in each of the module task window (on the right hand side). This is needed for your windows auto open/close to work

I searched but didn't see a note on this: Maybe it's because my truck is a '22, but I updated DDM and did not need to re-initialize – one-touch up/down were working after the update.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I searched but didn't see a note on this: Maybe it's because my truck is a '22, but I updated DDM and did not need to re-initialize – one-touch up/down were working after the update.

Ditto.
FDRS license expired before I thought about it.
I think Forscan has the same process though.

 

[surveyor]

One other minor note from the perspective of a noob who just went through the guide: I created an account on helminc.com when purchasing the FDRS license, and tried using those creds in FDRS, since they both referenced Motorcraft. When I reread the guide, I saw the note about creating a Motorcraft account, clicked the link, and realized it's separate from helminc.com / the licensing site. So just a note for anyone else new: You'll need 2 accounts – 1 for FDRS on helminc.om, and 1 for Motorcraft that's separate from the FDRS purchase, but that you'll use to log into FDRS.

 

[Missmy3/4ton]

I'm going to attempt to update with FDRS this weekend. Anyone have any suggestions on the order of updates to knock them out? I haven't been able to find anything suggesting where to start, but I remember reading that there is an order than 'better' than others.

1FTFW1E56MFA48057

 

[surveyor]

you need to do 360 camera alignment. you also need to stay in specific speeds (i did ~10mph). the car will show 100% but FDRS will take roughly double the distance. I did it on a short 1/4 mi road that i drove up and down 5-6 times and now i'm good to go.

Tried 2x, failed 2x. Maybe it was too dark. Trying again tomorrow.

The on-screen instructions made it sound like it needed to be in a parking lot, but the post above sounds like it can be on a road.

Anyone know, and have other tips?

Also not sure my IPMA alignment was any good. It completes so fast (15-30s, usually <1/2 mile). Trying to get onto the highway, it's done by the time I'm on the on-ramp. Do I need to nuke learned values every time I try?

Can't find much additional info. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Tried 2x, failed 2x. Maybe it was too dark. Trying again tomorrow.

The on-screen instructions made it sound like it needed to be in a parking lot, but the post above sounds like it can be on a road.

Anyone know, and have other tips?

Also not sure my IPMA alignment was any good. It completes so fast (15-30s, usually <1/2 mile). Trying to get onto the highway, it's done by the time I'm on the on-ramp. Do I need to nuke learned values every time I try?

Can't find much additional info. Thanks in advance.

You can only reset them in FDRS as far as I know unless they added it now in Forscan

I always do the IPMA alignment on a 3 lane road. I start at the exit of a gas station get it all set upi and then start once it say to. The best alignment is lines on each side of the truck.
IPMA lane departure alignment is done 40 MPH

360 cam is 4-5mph max and yes a well marked parking lot is best.

 

[Braeden]

How are others powering their laptops during these updates? My laptop goes through the battery pretty quick. Can I have a cord running into the truck with the door not closed all the way (or window down)?

Or am I better off using the power outlet in the truck while key is on and battery maintainer is plugged in? I'd asume not since you don't want any extra accessories on during this process.

 

[surveyor]

You can only reset them in FDRS as far as I know unless they added it now in Forscan

I always do the IPMA alignment on a 3 lane road. I start at the exit of a gas station get it all set upi and then start once it say to. The best alignment is lines on each side of the truck.
IPMA lane departure alignment is done 40 MPH

360 cam is 4-5mph max and yes a well marked parking lot is best.

Thanks for the alignment tips. I'll take a closer look at Google Maps.

I'm using FDRS. Given that, should I reset learned values every time before I run IPMA alignment, or will IPMA alignment overwrite all of the values? I assume the answer to the latter is no, otherwise, they wouldn't offer an option to reset learned values?

 

[IPAsAreA-OK]

How are others powering their laptops during these updates? My laptop goes through the battery pretty quick. Can I have a cord running into the truck with the door not closed all the way?

Or am I better off using the power outlet in the truck while key is on and battery maintainer is plugged in? I'd asume not since you don't want any extra accessories on during this process.

You don’t even need a laptop! Had my desktop running via extension cable through the open passenger window + travel monitor + wireless keyboard. I did use a different circuit than the charger/power supply.

Also, pro tip, set up Google Remote Desktop so you can monitor progress from your phone.

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