ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[MitchCox]

I was looking at doing a Bourbon tour in Kentucky, though it'll probably be next year. Maybe I could do a road trip and help you out if you're still waiting by then?

I hope to have it updated by then but those bourbon tours are pretty cool. I haven’t been since Covid but prior to that you actually got to pouch the mash and other things you probably don’t get to do now. Appreciate the thought though.

The How to guide seems pretty straightforward, I just need to get my hands on a Mongoose. Not sure if I want to pay $500 for a one time use thing.

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[JEB]

I hope to have it updated by then but those bourbon tours are pretty cool. I haven’t been since Covid but prior to that you actually got to pouch the mash and other things you probably don’t get to do now. Appreciate the thought though.

The How to guide seems pretty straightforward, I just need to get my hands on a Mongoose. Not sure if I want to pay $500 for a one time use thing.

The Mongoose for Ford is back in stock on Amazon—for now. So getting one shouldn’t be problematic.

As for the $500 up front cost, it’s steep but you might find more use for it than this one occasion. It works well with FORScan. And once you’ve done a few updates, you might be inclined to keep your truck up to date. Ford doesn’t (and doesn’t plan to) release all updates OTA. And dealers won’t update modules for you just because they are out of date—you have to point to a problem that a particular update will fix so the dealer can bill it to Ford as a repair. If you have your own programmer, you can save the trip to the dealer for a reflash and you don’t have to rely on the dealer (and Ford) to decide for you whether you need a particular update. It’s your call.

 

[turbopilot]

Ford doesn’t (and doesn’t plan to) release all updates OTA.

Is there a reason for this? Cost of bandwidth for OTA modem?

 

["Steve"]

can i ask a forscan question real quick? so as part of doing these fdrs updates, it was suggested that we revert forscan changes. (fwiw, i'll note that the changes i had made when i got the truck were to the apim for trip side-cards). moving forward, what considerations does one need to make regarding forscan and ota updates? i want to make some changes again, but will be reluctant if it'll just break/prevent the updates. i toss out the info about the apim/side cards because i found that unnerving. the 1.7 freeze was related to the one thing i changed. but it looks like people who never forscanned had frozen updates too, so sounds like just a coincidence. but the fear sticks.

 

[JEB]

Is there a reason for this? Cost of bandwidth for OTA modem?

I hope there’s a reason. I don’t know what it is. If you want me to speculate, I think Ford’s thinking remains antiquated. They haven’t come around to seeing vehicles as more computer and less mechanical. So they haven’t fully bought into the idea that keeping software up to date is a good thing. For most systems that the customer rarely “sees” in operation, I’m guessing they adhere to the philosophy that if it’s broke, fix it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And if only a relatively few people are complaining about an issue in an obscure module, don’t risk rolling out a fix to everybody and potentially creating new problems for people who didn’t need the update to begin with because it was working well enough.

I don’t happen to agree with this train of thought.

 

[Kanuck]

I hope there’s a reason. I don’t know what it is. If you want me to speculate, I think Ford’s thinking remains antiquated. They haven’t come around to seeing vehicles as more computer and less mechanical. So they haven’t fully bought into the idea that keeping software up to date is a good thing. For most systems that the customer rarely “sees” in operation, I’m guessing they adhere to the philosophy that if it’s broke, fix it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And if only a relatively few people are complaining about an issue in an obscure module, don’t risk rolling out a fix to everybody and potentially creating new problems for people who didn’t need the update to begin with because it was working well enough.

I don’t happen to agree with this train of thought.

I don't agree with what it seems Ford is doing as well, but, I do agree with @JEB that this is the route they are taking. As an owner of a 21 XLT 302A without BC or cameras, I know of no fault with my truck with 16,000 kms as of today. If there was a list of what the "Minor bug fixes and refinements" are then maybe, as an owner, I/we could complain to the dealer and they would install the updates. To be honest, for me to invest in a Mongoose and FDRS license, what would it really improve on my truck? Since I bought the truck, a year ago May 6th, I average 21 MPG. I should mention I am at 21281 ver 244 - 2.3.0.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Itsjustmd]

Well, my dealership never even got back with me about if they could update my truck. Reading all the stories about how they're unsuccessful anyway, I'm glad they didn't lie to me and say sure thing bring it on up here. I've ordered the parts now, and I'm just gonna do it myself. I want the features that were promised to me. Gonna start tomorrow. Thanks for all the valuable info here!

 

[MitchCox]

So if my last update was the 2.3.0 Ford Power up. How long of upgrade process to get me up to date with BC enabled?

 

[islandboy47]

I'm having issues performing the TSB to get past the stuck APIM. The ethernet step keeps failing with Exception: +Flashing. Please wait....Anyone else have this issue? I'm wondering if it's because my laptop doesn't have an ethernet port so I got a random adapter for that side (the truck to ethernet side I used an approved adapter)

 

[islandboy47]

whats your exact error? seems similar to what i experienced at first and had to try a different computer. it wasnt actually the cable, but either my old comp, or the drivers or something.

Hey when you had to switch computers (I'm going to need to do this too) is there a specific process to that? Or just reinstall everything, logon and use the same license code?

 

[MitchCox]

Another question. SORRY for all the questions. So if I get the adapter and it shows all these updates. Is there an order that they should be installed. Thanks.

 

["Steve"]

Hey when you had to switch computers (I'm going to need to do this too) is there a specific process to that? Or just reinstall everything, logon and use the same license code?

yes, you need to remove the license from comp 1 before you can use on comp 2. check the menu in fdrs.

 

[JEB]

Another question. SORRY for all the questions. So if I get the adapter and it shows all these updates. Is there an order that they should be installed. Thanks.

I start with the gateway module (GWM) if an update is available. If an order is required for the others, FDRS will let you know.

 

[turbopilot]

I start with the gateway module (GWM) if an update is available. If an order is required for the others, FDRS will let you know.

In my case GWM was not available until I installed the first APIM. During my 2 day process there were several times selecting one module installed 2 or 3 modules with the same download. All very confusing for a newbie because the same modules would reappear again after installing other modules. In the end I think I installed the APIM module 3 or 4 times. All a blur now but I felt like it was never going to end as the same modules (obviously with a new version) kept popping up.

 

[Snakebitten]

^^^

So true. Basically FDRS will have updates that are prerequisite for others, so the others aren't available until the prerequisite updates are performed.

The APIM is a great example because you won't see the APIM update that follows the one you DO see until the one you see is performed. FDRS won't let you skip ahead.

As stated, the Gateway module is always one to do when you see one available because all the modules on the truck rely on the role the gateway module plays in the update scheme. Think of it as the router/switch to the various networks onboard. You have an ethernet network, a USB network, and a few CANbus networks.

Another module I jump on is the TCU. It's very critical too for the truck to communicate externally via cellular or WiFi.

Next I like APIM updates because of its crucial role and its the one we most interface with from a screen point of view.

Following those 3 I love to see anything that the IPC and IPMA have to offer because they are feature rich visually.

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