OTA update wiped tune

[staying_tuned]

But I admit that if you are going to "jailbreak" your PCM, you do have to take into consideration the impact of further software development being delivered OTA.

I think this is key. As a software architect I became interested in disabling anything OTA the moment I learned they are not only overwriting tunes but also coded sequences which re-enable auto-updates like a battery disconnect (verified by Oz). A user setting like that should be cached onboard like everything else which persists. It's shady. If my truck was bone stock though I'd absolutely leave it alone to catch any beneficial tweaks that can only come through real-world testing. For sure tons of value exist in the OTA process, Ford is just botching rollout and deployment strategies trying to be hip and cutting edge while paying state/gov salaries. Hardly anyone wants to write code, design or manage infrastructure for them.

Deploying patches & upgrades over the air is commonplace but what should never happen is a re-imaging of the data. That is what they are doing now, it's equivalent to Android auto-pushing a reformat to a new OS masked as a minor update or patch. The internet would break if they tried to pull that nonsense.

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[22Platinum]

looks like i was about 11hrs away from catastrophe

I don't like how this is worded but I don't have time to drive it.

Glad I checked.

 

[22Platinum]

Pulled the modem fuse and disconnected the TCU. Before & after shots below. So far no in-dash or silent errors thrown (checking via SCT handheld).

Fuse - It's the unmarked #8. Pulled the 3-prong on #9 then used the 2-prong 5a spare located at #35 to restore #9, leaving the center socket open.

Thanks to all who've contributed this information, figured some photos would help.

Before:

After:

TCU - Located against the cab on the passenger side. Flip down seat, get a good grip on and yank the plastic push fastener. Unplug that far left cable.

After:

Just to be safe:

Now when I hit any of the connected oriented services I get a spinner then it gracefully stops trying and falls back to the previous menu.

Can you check with Forscan to see if there are any deeper complaints?

 

[staying_tuned]

Can you check with Forscan to see if there are any deeper complaints?

Nada, I never picked up the adapter but it's looking like I may. I'm seeing 10lbs of boost and no knock so first level of validation that everything's good is clear : o )

 

[m_bt54]

How long before the vendors providing these tunes are selling subscription services to keep up with updates?

 

[22Platinum]

How long before the vendors providing these rooms are selling subscription services to keep up with updates?

In light of this recent convo I plugged my Livernois tuner into my computer and it set about updating 4 or 5 things, with one of them looking like a tune update (based on how long it took and how much thinking it did.)

I have sent Livernois an inquiry recently about getting the CDF drum TSB done but have yet to hear back; would be nice if they came out with some guidance.

 

[TexasTruck]

I disabled OTA and sent Whipple an email asking.

Whipple replied:

2021-2023 F150 5.0 trucks with Whipple Tomahawk tunes will not get any over the air pcm updates with our calibration loaded .

Thank you,
Whipple Support

 

[HammaMan]

APIM - not sure if this disables OTA or just the menu

I track vehicle wifi usage and there just isn't anything to note on my end. It may have a cellular > wifi logic to reduce packet sniffing. Basically use cellular for data if good, else wifi. You don't need to kill the TCU itself, just unplug its antennas. After which, verify it doesn't see your wifi. That way you don't potentially trigger codes from missing TCU.

This connector at the TCU kills the antennas

This connector is just the ethernet bus

Turn off wifi entirely. Ford does have logic that lets the vehicles AUTOMATICALLY join free wifi hotspots often found at fast food places /etc...

The TCU is supposed to always remain live. I've found from other experiments that a vanishing always-live module can cause the truck to no go to sleep and drain the batteries so if you leave the TCU dead, do keep an eye on your voltage to make sure it's not eating the battery.

 

[Heavishot]

Just noticed my strategy code is different than when I loaded my Livernois tune. I’ve contacted Livernois to find out what to do next. I’ve heard they will update my existing tunes for the new strategy code.

The next question is whether OTA updates can mess up any of our Forscan mods?

 

[HammaMan]

Just noticed my strategy code is different than when I loaded my Livernois tune. I’ve contacted Livernois to find out what to do next. I’ve heard they will update my existing tunes for the new strategy code.

The next question is whether OTA updates can mess up any of our Forscan mods?

Yes, they can revert forscan changes. Always best to backup each module after the update is successful. Makes rectifying ford's reverts EZ

 

[Confu11]

Just noticed my strategy code is different than when I loaded my Livernois tune. I’ve contacted Livernois to find out what to do next. I’ve heard they will update my existing tunes for the new strategy code.

The next question is whether OTA updates can mess up any of our Forscan mods?

I am not very curious if the Livernois tune added on top of My Stage 2 Whipple tune was the reason my engine exploded?

Engine was destroyed on Feb 9th thread here: https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/stage-2-whipple-engine-failure-2021-f150-5-0.23625/page-3

Anyone know a way I can see my trucks OTA update history?

 

[Snakebitten]

How do you stack tunes?

 

[Confu11]

I did it primarily for the : Transmission Shifting improvements/Removal of skip-gear function.

https://www.livernoismotorsports.com/product/LPP631167/2021-2023-ford-f-150-5-0l-coyote-tuner


Features:

• Custom tuning via Livernois Motorsports
• Increased horsepower & torque (+38hp/45tq w/ 93 Octane R+M/2 fuel)
• Dyno proven fuel/spark adjustments
• Multiple tunes for Performance and Towing
• Enhanced throttle response
• Modified Fan Settings for reduced heat soak
• Revised Start/Stop control logic
• Transmission Shifting improvements
  • Removal of skip-gear function
  • Reduced Torque Management and increased Shift Firmness
• Available for multiple fuel octane levels (87-93 Gasoline)
• Raised top speed limiter
• Ability to Read/Clear (DTC) Codes

 

[Eskram]

I'm not an expert here at all, but I'd think one would overwrite the other one?

The only way I'm aware of to somewhat accomplish modifying a tune is a using a piggyback like the JB4 in addition to a reflash.

 

[Confu11]

Yes that could be true.

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