Complete Frustration with OTA Updates

[Seahawk51]

I read about all the updates others are getting. The last thing I got was an update to the Owner's Manual back in September. No updates for Blue Cruise, or Synch 4, or anything else. Anybody got a suggestion on how I can "pull down" these updates? Or anything else I can do? Thanks.

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[adt1982]

Step 1 is to post your VIN in the Request VIN Lookup Thread. Someone with access can tell you if your truck is way behind on updates.

Step 2, if your truck IS behind on updates, is to use a Mongoose tool and laptop to update the modules yourself following this guide.

 

[FirstFord]

I read about all the updates others are getting. The last thing I got was an update to the Owner's Manual back in September. No updates for Blue Cruise, or Synch 4, or anything else. Anybody got a suggestion on how I can "pull down" these updates? Or anything else I can do? Thanks.

Step 1 is to post your VIN in the Request VIN Lookup Thread. Someone with access can tell you if your truck is way behind on updates.

Step 2, if your truck IS behind on updates, is to use a Mongoose tool and laptop to update the modules yourself following this guide.

I agree with @adt1982 about having your VIN checked - then you get the real status of where you actually are.

However, I differ regarding "Step 2". I think the second step would be to do something super simple: just put your truck on a battery charger (preferably a so-called "smart charger") overnight for several nights. Apparently, many of these updates fail because of a low SOC of the battery. There are numerous stories of updates failing because of low SOC, a battery charger goes on, and Voila! - updates go through! Put the charger on every night for a few weeks (or until all of the updates come through). Assuming you have a battery charger, this step costs nothing to try... If it doesn't work, then go the Mongoose/FDRS route. There are several informational posts about using the Mongoose cable and FDRS to manually upload the updates. Just my two cents worth...

 

[rugedraw]

I agree with @adt1982 about having your VIN checked - then you get the real status of where you actually are.

However, I differ regarding "Step 2". I think the second step would be to do something super simple: just put your truck on a battery charger (preferably a so-called "smart charger") overnight for several nights. Apparently, many of these updates fail because of a low SOC of the battery. There are numerous stories of updates failing because of low SOC, a battery charger goes on, and Voila! - updates go through! Put the charger on every night for a few weeks (or until all of the updates come through). Assuming you have a battery charger, this step costs nothing to try... If it doesn't work, then go the Mongoose/FDRS route. There are several informational posts about using the Mongoose cable and FDRS to manually upload the updates. Just my two cents worth...

You have to get sent an update before it can fail due to low battery SOC. Putting the truck on a charger will not do anything in terms of Ford sending an update to the truck. Having a well charged battery is important for OTA's to install; particularly the ones that require the vehicle to be inhibited while it installs. However, there is one way and one way only to get updates now, and that is with a Mongoose/FDRS.

 

[adt1982]

I agree with @adt1982 about having your VIN checked - then you get the real status of where you actually are.

However, I differ regarding "Step 2". I think the second step would be to do something super simple: just put your truck on a battery charger (preferably a so-called "smart charger") overnight for several nights. Apparently, many of these updates fail because of a low SOC of the battery. There are numerous stories of updates failing because of low SOC, a battery charger goes on, and Voila! - updates go through! Put the charger on every night for a few weeks (or until all of the updates come through). Assuming you have a battery charger, this step costs nothing to try... If it doesn't work, then go the Mongoose/FDRS route. There are several informational posts about using the Mongoose cable and FDRS to manually upload the updates. Just my two cents worth...

In the case of my truck I was so far behind on updates that I was not getting the older updates that needed to be installed before my truck could receive current updates sent out OTA. Once I manually updated everything in April I have regularly received (and they have installed on their own)all the OTA updates that have been sent out for my truck.

 

[FirstFord]

You have to get sent an update before it can fail due to low battery SOC. Putting the truck on a charger will not do anything in terms of Ford sending an update to the truck. Having a well charged battery is important for OTA's to install; particularly the ones that require the vehicle to be inhibited while it installs. However, there is one way and one way only to get updates now, and that is with a Mongoose/FDRS.

Dang! And I thought I was on the right track, but apparently not - I was barely even halfway right. I was of the understanding that if a battery had a low SOC, the truck wouldn't even accept the OTA download, let alone the install. But you're saying that the updates weren't even being sent? Thanks for the correction.

 

[rugedraw]

Dang! And I thought I was on the right track, but apparently not - I was barely even halfway right. I was of the understanding that if a battery had a low SOC, the truck wouldn't even accept the OTA download, let alone the install. But you're saying that the updates weren't even being sent? Thanks for the correction.

I haven't checked the OP's VIN yet, but yes, updates will get sent to a truck regardless of the state of SOC. However, when the truck downloads the files and tries to install them, it has to pass the standard set in the algorithm for the OTA to safely install without the battery voltage getting too low. Most updates do not have this issue; it affects updates that require the vehicle to be inhibited.

 

[SanJuanTech]

I feel your frustration, I was extremely behind so had no choice but to do the manual updates. But even since then I have only received a couple owners manual updates and it has been months. I have a new battery and check it often so I know the "low SOC" is not the problem. I will wait until maybe January or February and see what happens. If things do not start moving again I will drop another $50 on another FDRS license and get caught up again.

 

[FirstFord]

I haven't checked the OP's VIN yet, but yes, updates will get sent to a truck regardless of the state of SOC. However, when the truck downloads the files and tries to install them, it has to pass the standard set in the algorithm for the OTA to safely install without the battery voltage getting too low. Most updates do not have this issue; it affects updates that require the vehicle to be inhibited.

Ah, that clears up a number of things. Thanks for the explanation! ?

It strikes me as so weird how some trucks have no issues with updates, and others it is a major undertaking....

 

[n8dgr8]

I took my 2021 to the dealer over the summer for an oil change and had updates done then. It took the dealer 4 days to update everything. It was another month before hands free updated on its own and started working again. Now the truck gets automated updates.

As others mentioned, be careful what you wish for, some updates are annoying…

 

[Samson16]

I read about all the updates others are getting. The last thing I got was an update to the Owner's Manual back in September. No updates for Blue Cruise, or Synch 4, or anything else. Anybody got a suggestion on how I can "pull down" these updates? Or anything else I can do? Thanks.

I started having that feeling, but then I thought to myself "How's my truck running? Answer: Great!" "If I didn't go on this forum would I even know or care? Answer: No!"
I quit worrying about it.

 

[rugedraw]

I started having that feeling, but then I thought to myself "How's my truck running? Answer: Great!" "If I didn't go on this forum would I even know or care? Answer: No!"
I quit worrying about it.

This is the damn truth right here.

Edit: With that said: OP has a $72k truck with no BC. He would know something was up with or without the forum.

 

[Samson16]

I know I would!

 

[FirstFord]

I started having that feeling, but then I thought to myself "How's my truck running? Answer: Great!" "If I didn't go on this forum would I even know or care? Answer: No!"
I quit worrying about it.

What a terrific statement!!! And oh, so true!!!

I've learned SO MUCH, thanks to this forum, and have so much more to learn, but you're right - I loved my truck when I first got it. Then I started reading this forum and learned that my truck wasn't perfect after all ?. Ignorance is bliss...

 

[rugedraw]

What a terrific statement!!! And oh, so true!!!

I've learned SO MUCH, thanks to this forum, and have so much more to learn, but you're right - I loved my truck when I first got it. Then I started reading this forum and learned that my truck wasn't perfect after all ?. Ignorance is bliss...

"You know, I know this update doesn't exists. I know that when I turn on my truck, the Ford mothership is telling my brain that this update is juicy and delicious. After two years, you know what I realize?"

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