BCM programming procedure

[Erikp]

Last weekends camping trip wasn’t a fun one lol.
short story, turned accessory mode on in the truck to roll windows up. Got halfway through and windows stopped, truck flashed “no key detected” and was dead as could be. IPC would wake up if a door was opened, and parking lights would flash when the tailgate button was pressed on the fob, but that was it. Door keypad didn’t work nor any other functions. Ignition switch did nothing.

I’m a mechanic myself and have done lots of Canbus/module diagnostics so I went at it for a bit. Figured the BCM was most likely dead and off it went to the dealer.

Dealer confirms BCM is dead. Only outputting 3.2V to the ignition button. Order one up, they installed it, functions began working and apparently when programming both the new BCM and IPC are failing and now the truck is more dead than ever. IPC doesn’t even wake up with door opening etc.

My question is why was the IPC being updated. I understand all the modules are at a specific software level together and need to be compatible, but wouldn’t the BCM just be brought up to the software level of the original one? Very familiar with module programming on highway tractors, but not FDRS.

can anyone shed some light on what might be going on here? IPC and BCM are both now unresponsive and not taking updates. Is this the correct procedure the dealer was following? They confirmed they were not updating all software to current, just programming BCM. I had the OTA issue I resolved earlier this year and have been getting updates for the last few months, but still well out of date.

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[rugedraw]

Hey brother. Just checked your VIN to see what they've done. From what I can see, they aren't lying to you. I can see many attempts to program the IPC and they fail. They've tried updating the GWM which also failed as well as a few other modules. There are several module updates that failed due to errors reading the VIN or not being able to communicate with modules. They have been working on your truck diligently that past few days. Most likely the need to involve engineers at this point. I'd be prepared to wait a while before you see your truck again.

 

[Erikp]

Hey buddy, thanks for doing that.
I am in no way suggesting the dealer is lying or not going a good job, this is a different dealer than before with the OTA you helped me with earlier this year. In fact, I’m quite happy with this dealer.

I guess my question is why do they need to update the other modules? Wouldn’t they just update the BCM to match software levels of the old one?

I’ve programmed a lot of modules in my career and never had to touch other modules unless we were performing software updates to get the unit current, but obviously that is heavy truck and no automotive.

So why couldn’t they flash the new BCM to my original software level and have it be compatible with all my other modules?

And yes, ford tech support has been contacted, it’s just a lingering question in my brain at this point.

 

[rugedraw]

Hard to say. They programmed the new BCM rather easily. Seems like the IPC stopped working unexpectedly because from then on out, I see a few IPC, PCM and GWM procedures attempted which failed. The truck has not reported anything to the cloud since 4/19, so I can't see any codes or anything in PTS. I'd have to be able to plug into the truck directly to see what codes it is showing. Unfortunately, we won't be able to do much for you here to help.

 

[Erikp]

So your thinking after programming the BCM the IPC stopped working and they tried reprogramming the IPC and GWM to fix it, but they’re failing?

trying to come up with an answer for why the IPC and GWM were reprogrammed/updated in the first place. I have faith in this shop, but my own OCD brain needs to understand it too lol.

 

[JEB]

So your thinking after programming the BCM the IPC stopped working and they tried reprogramming the IPC and GWM to fix it, but they’re failing?

trying to come up with an answer for why the IPC and GWM were reprogrammed/updated in the first place. I have faith in this shop, but my own OCD brain needs to understand it too lol.

I can give you a theory, but without pulling up the vehicle history, it’s only a theory.

Frequently reprogramming the BCM leads to a lot of spurious post-update communication errors among other modules. The tech might have concluded that the best way to address these post-update errors would be to update and reset the GWM, since it’s essentially a router and handles most if not all communications among modules on the truck’s intranet. But sometime modules can’t be updated in isolation and it’s frequently the case that updates to one module come linked to updates to other modules that have to be done at the same time. If the updates to the GWM prompted further updates to the IPC, that’s how updating the BCM could have led to these other updates.

 

[Erikp]

I can give you a theory, but without pulling up the vehicle history, it’s only a theory.

Frequently reprogramming the BCM leads to a lot of spurious post-update communication errors among other modules. The tech might have concluded that the best way to address these post-update errors would be to update and reset the GWM, since it’s essentially a router and handles most if not all communications among modules on the truck’s intranet. But sometime modules can’t be updated in isolation and it’s frequently the case that updates to one module come linked to updates to other modules that have to be done at the same time. If the updates to the GWM prompted further updates to the IPC, that’s how updating the BCM could have led to these other updates.

Are you talking about the usual loss of com faults that show up after programming and we usually just clear? Or actual fault codes that need trouble shooting?

I get once you start going down the “update” rabbit hole this can be likely, but did the tech really need to do all that just to replace the BCM? I’m used to installing a module, then using server data to bring it to proper software level to work with the rest of the truck (not a ford tech though)

No complaints about the dealer, but I don’t want to hassle them just to understand. I really appreciate you taking the time to help explain the process.

 

[JEB]

Are you talking about the usual loss of com faults that show up after programming and we usually just clear? Or actual fault codes that need trouble shooting?

I get once you start going down the “update” rabbit hole this can be likely, but did the tech really need to do all that just to replace the BCM? I’m used to installing a module, then using server data to bring it to proper software level to work with the rest of the truck (not a ford tech though)

No complaints about the dealer, but I don’t want to hassle them just to understand. I really appreciate you taking the time to help explain the process.

I can’t answer whether the tech “needed” to update the GWM or not. I don’t know what he saw after replacing and reconfiguring the BCM. I know the last time I updated my BCM, I got a configuration error at the end of the programming cycle and upon subsequent investigation discovered 18 separate DTCs—all communication related. I was able to clear them all with a clear and retest. But given the centrality of the GWM to communications, I probably would have updated it as a matter of good practice to avoid possible recurrence if I had a GWM update available. I didn’t at the time—my GWM was already up to date—so I was done after updating the BCM.

 

[Erikp]

I can’t answer whether the tech “needed” to update the GWM or not. I don’t know what he saw after replacing and reconfiguring the BCM. I know the last time I updated my BCM, I got a configuration error at the end of the programming cycle and upon subsequent investigation discovered 18 separate DTCs—all communication related. I was able to clear them all with a clear and retest. But given the centrality of the GWM to communications, I probably would have updated it as a matter of good practice to avoid possible recurrence if I had a GWM update available. I didn’t at the time—my GWM was already up to date—so I was done after updating the BCM.

awesome man. At this time I’m just going to let the tech do his thing and see where we get. Ford is involved at this point. You answered lots for me, so I appreciate it. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if the IPC or GWM is actually bricked or not. Wish I had warranty ?

 

[JSR Motorplex]

What was resolution on this? I’m experiencing similar troubles. I installed new bcm in a truck I’m working on cluster lit up before but with new bcm my ipc never lights up. IPC just shows fault codes for B108e. I’ve been through all dash connectors and bcm connections looking for corrosion or any damage to anything and can’t find any problems. This is the first 25 that I have worked on. Bcm programming was way more involved than the 22 back 250 350 trucks that I’m accustomed to.

 

[rugedraw]

Are you using FDRS? What is the verbiage mentioned with the B108E DTC you are seeing?

2024+ F150 has a different module architecture than the 21-23. On these trucks, the IPC is controlled by the APIM.

If Fordpass is set up on the truck, message me the VIN. I can no longer see the things I used to be able to see when this post was made, but I still may by able to see something useful.

 

[JSR Motorplex]

Yes I’m using fdrs. 1FTEW2LP4SKE09876. Like I said I’m way more familiar with the workings of the 22 and back superdutys as I’ve fixed so many of them. I fix and sale water vehicles on the side so I’m fairly intuitive with fdrs. I also tried swapping out the instrument panel with same result.

 

[rugedraw]

Yes I’m using fdrs. 1FTEW2LP4SKE09876. Like I said I’m way more familiar with the workings of the 22 and back superdutys as I’ve fixed so many of them. I fix and sale water vehicles on the side so I’m fairly intuitive with fdrs. I also tried swapping out the instrument panel with same result.

This truck is not connected to Fordpass, so I am limited as to what I can see. The only thing I can think of is to disconnect the negative cable from the 12v battery for 20 minutes (if it is a PowerBoost, then also the aux battery under the rear seat). Many people have reported issues with the IPC update on the 2024+ models.

 

[JSR Motorplex]

I’ve got the battery unhooked I’ve got a bunch of the dash apart tracing wiring and cables to the IPC. It hooks to a box on the back of the apim screen. Truck is a 2.7 Stx so not many options. I was able to do a successful apim update on Friday and it went through without a hitch. I’m just trying anything at this point. Not having workshop manual sucks.

 

[JSR Motorplex]

awesome man. At this time I’m just going to let the tech do his thing and see where we get. Ford is involved at this point. You answered lots for me, so I appreciate it. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if the IPC or GWM is actually bricked or not. Wish I had warranty ?

What was the fix on your truck if your still active?

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