2021 F-150 that has never been updated

[Langer18]

My new to me 2021 F-150 has the infamous greyed out automatic updates toggle and it will not tell me what version I am running 99.9% of the time. I did get it to toggle on one time and figured out I am on 20312 revision 243. Took it to the dealer and they charged me $200 to try to do the update and failed to do so. Did some research and decided to buy a Mongoose cable and dove into the world of FDRS. Completed updates for PCM, IPMA, PSCM,SCCM, ACM (still shows up after multiple update attempts), TRM, and HVAC modules. I have a feeling the dealer maybe did an update for TCU and a few others because they never showed available updates. I did the update process for the APIM but it never starts the update and battery voltage is fine. It recognizes the flash drive though. Do I leave it in for up to a month like I read elsewhere or is there a better way in 2024?

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[JohnTrigger]

Good job. The ACM is like that where it doesn’t go away for some. The APIM once it runs may trigger a TCU. Yes leave the USB with APIM on it plugged in and after a day/week/month it’ll finally run most likely. There will also probably be more APIMs once that one runs which triggers more updates too. You’ll probably need another FDRS 2 day subscription in a month to keep chugging along.

 

[Langer18]

Good job. The ACM is like that where it doesn’t go away for some. The APIM once it runs may trigger a TCU. Yes leave the USB with APIM on it plugged in and after a day/week/month it’ll finally run most likely. There will also probably be more APIMs once that one runs which triggers more updates too. You’ll probably need another FDRS 2 day subscription in a month to keep chugging along.

Thanks for the help. This forum is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this stuff. I will leave the flash drive in for as long as it takes. Good to know about the ACM update sticking around too. I’ll keep this updated if it does end up working

 

[rugedraw]

@Langer18 Have FDRS create the APIM update, pop it in the truck and just leave it there. It can take weeks before the update will start. Once it kicks off, you'll have to get another FDRS license to finish the updates that are not showing. APIM, GWM, TCU and IPC updates have to be installed in certain order, so until that APIM update installs, it will not release the rest of them.

Just put the USB in there, and drive the truck as you normally would. One day when you least expect it, the truck will take the update and then you follow the on screen instructions to install it.

 

[Langer18]

@Langer18 Have FDRS create the APIM update, pop it in the truck and just leave it there. It can take weeks before the update will start. Once it kicks off, you'll have to get another FDRS license to finish the updates that are not showing. APIM, GWM, TCU and IPC updates have to be installed in certain order, so until that APIM update installs, it will not release the rest of them.

Just put the USB in there, and drive the truck as you normally would. One day when you least expect it, the truck will take the update and then you follow the on screen instructions to install it.

Appreciate the help. You guys are awesome! I did do an IPC update last night. It took like 4 hours but it was successful. GWM and TCU were not available though.

 

[rugedraw]

Appreciate the help. You guys are awesome! I did do an IPC update last night. It took like 4 hours but it was successful. GWM and TCU were not available though.

That old IPC update took me 4 hours when I had to to do it to mine over two years ago. That one alone is not enough to release the next update. I believe a TCU will pop up next once you get that APIM one to go through. As I said: It can be a few weeks before it happens. You'll get in your truck one day not even thinking about it, and you'll see the message on your touchscreen telling the update is underway.

 

[Langer18]

That old IPC update took me 4 hours when I had to to do it to mine over two years ago. That one alone is not enough to release the next update. I believe a TCU will pop up next once you get that APIM one to go through. As I said: It can be a few weeks before it happens. You'll get in your truck one day not even thinking about it, and you'll see the message on your touchscreen telling the update is underway.

Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later for me. The funny thing is the dealer told me to not have anything plugged into the usb ports below the hvac system because it can block software updates. Shows how much they know.

 

[rugedraw]

Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later for me. The funny thing is the dealer told me to not have anything plugged into the usb ports below the hvac system because it can block software updates. Shows how much they know.

They don't know shit and imo, there is nothing wrong with that. They are not software engineers. I do have a problem with dealers making shit up like that. I have something permanently plugged into the USB there due to some aftermarket mods I've done and I can tell for FOR SURE that does not "block" updates. That's ridiculous.

 

[jhelrey]

USB update? Huh?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

USB update? Huh?

FDRS updates to APIM

 

[Langer18]

They don't know shit and imo, there is nothing wrong with that. They are not software engineers. I do have a problem with dealers making shit up like that. I have something permanently plugged into the USB there due to some aftermarket mods I've done and I can tell for FOR SURE that does not "block" updates. That's ridiculous.

They pretty much have to be software engineers to work on cars now. They wonder why there is a technician shortage. Ford seems to have really dropped the ball with these ota updates though.

 

[Langer18]

Is there anyway to see if my APIM blacklisted or security locked from too many install attempts?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Is there anyway to see if my APIM blacklisted or security locked from too many install attempts?

What makes you think that?

 

[Snakebitten]

You not only now have the tools to bring your 2021 forward almost 4 years in software development, but have gotten off to a great start in doing so.
So the only thing you have to add to that mix is some patience!

You've already waited years.
Enjoy the truck and the progress. It'll come. Maybe sooner than later. It has recently for a handful of folks in exactly the same scenario.

 

[Langer18]

What makes you think that?

Just curious. I know I need to be patient and wait this out for a while but you never know. Someone mentioned it on a different thread. The only fix is a new APIM at that point it seems like. Could be wrong though

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