ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[FirstFord]

@FirstFord has a 2022 his truck should be fine. The only trucks that could have been stuck with the bad update were 2021 Job 1 trucks, and those were produced prior to 7/8/2021.

Thanks for confirming. You posted that while I was in the midst of my reply. ?

Sponsored

 

[FirstFord]

About to start a fun day of updates! Just confirming that the first page is still the latest and greatest walkthrough, haven't done this in 2 years....

You mean you went through this mess 2 years ago, and you have to do it again??????

 

[graves1907]

You mean you went through this mess 2 years ago, and you have to do it again??????

Sadly yes... but its all about the fun of updating your own truck!

 

[rugedraw]

You mean you went through this mess 2 years ago, and you have to do it again??????

Once you are fully up to date, the OTA process usually does a good job of keeping you up to date.

 

[FirstFord]

Once you are fully up to date, the OTA process usually does a good job of keeping you up to date.

That was what I thought all along, and was the reason why people were going the FDRS/mongoose process in the first place. That's why I was somewhat thrown for a loop when I saw that @graves1907 apparently has to go through it all again....

 

[rugedraw]

That was what I thought all along, and was the reason why people were going the FDRS/mongoose process in the first place. That's why I was somewhat thrown for a loop when I saw that @graves1907 apparently has to go through it all again....

Even if you're up to date, when a new module update is released, some people will get it before others. Some people have really bad luck with the OTA process and choose to do more than one FDRS session if they fall behind again.

If someone FDRS'd a year ago before the new IPMA software came out last December and they want to enable the new BC or turn signal cameras, they would have to FDRS again because those updates are not being pushed out via the OTA process (yet) and were not available at they time they updated their vehicle.

 

[graves1907]

Even if you're up to date, when a new module update is released, some people will get it before others. Some people have really bad luck with the OTA process and choose to do more than one FDRS session if they fall behind again.

If someone FDRS'd a year ago before the new IPMA software came out last December and they want to enable the new BC or turn signal cameras, they would have to FDRS again because those updates are not being pushed out via the OTA process (yet) and were not available at they time they updated their vehicle.

This is exactly my scenario

 

[FirstFord]

Even if you're up to date, when a new module update is released, some people will get it before others. Some people have really bad luck with the OTA process and choose to do more than one FDRS session if they fall behind again.

If someone FDRS'd a year ago before the new IPMA software came out last December and they want to enable the new BC or turn signal cameras, they would have to FDRS again because those updates are not being pushed out via the OTA process (yet) and were not available at they time they updated their vehicle.

That makes complete sense - I get it now. Thanks for the explanation (remember - I'm in the "slow" class...).

 

[PatchManager]

@SilverPigeon and @fordtruckman2003 - THANK YOU! VERY informative! I'm going to copy your answers and add them to my FDRS prep folder that I've got going. The bad news is that more than likely, I'll have more questions still to come.

I'm going to follow up on some of the answers:



I will fully admit that I'm an ignoramus on this stuff, but even I know that the ignition button is the same as the ignition key. ? What I was trying to get at - and still don't quite understand - is the actual physical movement to achieve the instructions: "turn off the ignition then open the door." I don't understand how that can be done unless you are sitting in the driver's seat throughout that stage of the process. What I mean is, if my truck had a physical key ignition on the steering column, I could reach through the open driver's window and turn off the ignition, then open the door - as instructed. But with a push-button ignition, there is no way I can reach through an open window and reach that button, meaning I have to open the door first to reach the ignition button. So, what has just dawned on me - and I apparently missed this in the answers provided - is that I was coming from the perspective of being outside the truck during this and trying to reach in. It is just now dawning on me that at the particular stage where the ignition switch is off/on and the door is open/closed is a stage where you are already sitting in the driver's seat to interact with FDRS. Correct?



Sync version 23291, revision 1049. I don't know for sure, but I don't think my version is one that is "stuck" because I just got an OTA day before yesterday (although it appeared to be a repeat OTA). I have mentioned in a different thread that I do seem to get updates - but not all of them, based on @rugedraw 's sheet (and maybe I'm not supposed to get ALL of them). I don't really have a complaint regarding the OTA process - the purpose in going through the FDRS exercise is to get the latest IPMA update so that I can make one last desired change in FORScan.

I'll note four other items.

1. You do not need an Ethernet cable. That may be a more stable, but I've done a least 10 updates and a majority of the main modules at least once and never connected to Ethernet.
2. Ensure that your laptop or computer will NOT go to sleep during the process. Change the power settings so it will not go into sleep mode. This is simple to do and potentially eliminates big issues.
3. @Snakebitten advices people to bring a book and sit in the truck during updates. This is especially good advice if you don't have much experience. Observing the process can be very instructive. If something does happen to go wrong, you have an idea of what happened leading up to it. For the APIM, you are instructed to turn of the truck, open the door, and leave it for at least 10 minutes. I do exit the vehicle and make sure nothing is going to disturb it.
4. Don't touch anything unless told to do so. As mentioned above, turn off everything (HVAC, wipers, radio, etc.) before starting the process unless told otherwise.

My experience is that OTA works well, but I don't like waiting for OTA.

 

[sswalters]

@SilverPigeon and @fordtruckman2003 - THANK YOU! VERY informative! I'm going to copy your answers and add them to my FDRS prep folder that I've got going. The bad news is that more than likely, I'll have more questions still to come.

I'm going to follow up on some of the answers:



I will fully admit that I'm an ignoramus on this stuff, but even I know that the ignition button is the same as the ignition key. ? What I was trying to get at - and still don't quite understand - is the actual physical movement to achieve the instructions: "turn off the ignition then open the door." I don't understand how that can be done unless you are sitting in the driver's seat throughout that stage of the process. What I mean is, if my truck had a physical key ignition on the steering column, I could reach through the open driver's window and turn off the ignition, then open the door - as instructed. But with a push-button ignition, there is no way I can reach through an open window and reach that button, meaning I have to open the door first to reach the ignition button. So, what has just dawned on me - and I apparently missed this in the answers provided - is that I was coming from the perspective of being outside the truck during this and trying to reach in. It is just now dawning on me that at the particular stage where the ignition switch is off/on and the door is open/closed is a stage where you are already sitting in the driver's seat to interact with FDRS. Correct?



Sync version 23291, revision 1049. I don't know for sure, but I don't think my version is one that is "stuck" because I just got an OTA day before yesterday (although it appeared to be a repeat OTA). I have mentioned in a different thread that I do seem to get updates - but not all of them, based on @rugedraw 's sheet (and maybe I'm not supposed to get ALL of them). I don't really have a complaint regarding the OTA process - the purpose in going through the FDRS exercise is to get the latest IPMA update so that I can make one last desired change in FORScan.

The FDRS will exactly guide you through the process.

I had my door open the entire process of updating. When each module's update is done, the system will ask you to wait some time, toggle the ignition button, start the car, etc. It will be very clear. So as updates complete, you will need to be in the car driver's seat to do these tasks.

Some downloads from FRDS take well over an hour. Some hours. While it's downloading, you can step away because you will be able to monitor how slow the process is going. The earlier point was that an update can finish the download while you are away and the system will just patiently wait for you to return. That's the time waste that could happen if you are away too long and are planning to multiple downloads.

 

[FirstFord]

I'll note four other items.

1. You do not need an Ethernet cable. That may be a more stable, but I've done a least 10 updates and a majority of the main modules at least once and never connected to Ethernet.
2. Ensure that your laptop or computer will NOT go to sleep during the process. Change the power settings so it will not go into sleep mode. This is simple to do and potentially eliminates big issues.
3. @Snakebitten advices people to bring a book and sit in the truck during updates. This is especially good advice if you don't have much experience. Observing the process can be very instructive. If something does happen to go wrong, you have an idea of what happened leading up to it. For the APIM, you are instructed to turn of the truck, open the door, and leave it for at least 10 minutes. I do exit the vehicle and make sure nothing is going to disturb it.
4. Don't touch anything unless told to do so. As mentioned above, turn off everything (HVAC, wipers, radio, etc.) before starting the process unless told otherwise.

My experience is that OTA works well, but I don't like waiting for OTA.

The FDRS will exactly guide you through the process.

I had my door open the entire process of updating. When each module's update is done, the system will ask you to wait some time, toggle the ignition button, start the car, etc. It will be very clear. So as updates complete, you will need to be in the car driver's seat to do these tasks.

Some downloads from FRDS take well over an hour. Some hours. While it's downloading, you can step away because you will be able to monitor how slow the process is going. The earlier point was that an update can finish the download while you are away and the system will just patiently wait for you to return. That's the time waste that could happen if you are away too long and are planning to multiple downloads.

More great tips, and again, a hearty thank you!

I haven't owned a desktop computer in many years; a laptop is my computer. Long ago, I configured it to never go to sleep as long as it was plugged into AC power, so I think I'm good there. And as far as shutting down everything in the truck, I got in the habit of doing that with FORScan changes.

I also now understand better the scenarios where I need to be present in the driver's seat, as opposed to taking a break and walking away for a little bit. This business about opening the door, closing the door, leaving the door open., leaving the door closed, etc.; I got the idea of blocking the plunger switch in the circuit open position so that I could leave the door open, but the truck would think the door is closed. I then went and looked at the truck.... there is NO plunger switch!!! Gads, am I THAT old??? When did they stop doing that??? Rats! I thought it would be a good idea so that I get up and get another cup of coffee (or let some out... ). I wonder if mechanically tripping the door latch will work to fool the truck that the door is closed.

 

[graves1907]

I think I got everything except everytime i do the USB i plug it in and then nothing happens, but had a couple of weird errors, can someone check my vin for me?

 

[rugedraw]

I think I got everything except everytime i do the USB i plug it in and then nothing happens, but had a couple of weird errors, can someone check my vin for me?

Do the GWM update again. When it fails and FDRS gives you the option to install it via CAN, select that option. It will write the update through the cable like the others ones you did instead of the USB. It will take a bit, but the CAN updates are very reliable in terms of them going through.

 

[graves1907]

Do the GWM update again. When it fails and FDRS gives you the option to install it via CAN, select that option. It will write the update through the cable like the others ones you did instead of the USB. It will take a bit, but the CAN updates are very reliable in terms of them going through.

Thank you!

 

[FI300]

Another thing that often doesn't get mentioned is the USB updates say to start the truck. Not good when your in the basement.

Like stated above I never close my door so I don't have to worry about opening it. The purpose of opening the door is it causes the truck to completely shut down instead of maintaining aux power for a period of time.

Make sure the power management on your laptop is off.

You have to turn the auto headlight off after each power cycle.

With my charger it would exit power supply mode each time I was instructed to start the truck and I had to turn it back on.

Sponsored