ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[Snakebitten]

Page 880 of the FDRS thread and what we learned 3 years ago still works to unlock these stuck 21's. I remember waiting two weeks for my truck to update. And poor tonesto7's truck took a month!
I still can't believe that Ford keeps changing apim's on these trucks, when they could have simply written a wiz bang corrective update that could have been put on a USB stick and sent to customers.

All true.

And I am curious why this approach no longer gets recommended when a truck straggles in, every once in a while, that is stuck at the same place?
I don't remember it ever losing favor, but it seems like the current trend is to convince the dealership to replace the APIM.

The only issue with this method is that us mere mortals will need FDRS to create the USB drive.

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[Big Dog Daddy]

All true.

And I am curious why this approach no longer gets recommended when a truck straggles in, every once in a while, that is stuck at the same place?
I don't remember it ever losing favor, but it seems like the current trend is to convince the dealership to replace the APIM.

The only issue with this method is that us mere mortals will need FDRS to create the USB drive.

I know, I watched numerous people here gear up with FDRS, and go thru all of the gyrations of the tsb, only to find that it doesn't work. I pm them with encouragement of last resort, and tell them to leave the disk in the truck and it will kick off eventually. 6 for 6 times I've done this and always have been pm'ed back in a week or so that it installed. These trucks are out of warranty now and short of paying for a new apim it's basically the last chance try.
I haven't seen a truck yet that won't install that update from a property prepared usb.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I can’t believe it! I was just moving the truck down the driveway and boom!

let’s hope everything goes well after this!

Just to make sure, when it prompts I turn ignition off and leave the door open for 10min correct? Then remove when prompted.

So, did it work?

 

[TFurche]

So, did it work?

Yes it did!

 

[TFurche]

One more question, now what? Do I keep updating everything manually until I’m on the latest revision or will OTA update figure it out and starting to supply updates again? Will it ever update automatically again?

Also does anyone know if there is a way to install the BCM updates? It keeps promoting for the NASTF account.

@Big Dog Daddy @Snakebitten @anyone
Thx

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

One more question, now what? Do I keep updating everything manually until I’m on the latest revision or will OTA update figure it out and starting to supply updates again? Will it ever update automatically again?

Also does anyone know if there is a way to install the BCM updates? It keeps promoting for the NASTF account.

@Big Dog Daddy @Snakebitten @anyone
Thx

It's great to hear you've gotten your truck out of its zombie state! Waiting for Ford's OTA system to catch you up will take months. If you want to enjoy all of the features of the most current software, you're best bet is to license up for FDRS again and begin applying every available update until there are no more to apply. This will be a long process. Your looking at 12 to 15 hours of time babysitting a laptop in your truck to bring it up to the current level. Each update steps up and builds on to the next. Modules such as the APIM will need to be updated multiple times. This can be accomplished in a weekend if you have the time to devote to it. But it's a big push! My suggestion would be to purchase a 30 day license for FDRS and make all of the updates over a couple of weekends, This will relieve you of any stress if you encounter a problem and allow the forum members to help you. You will be very happy when that truck is fully updated, the refinements are incredible.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

@TFurche additionally, Yes, the truck will continue to receive OTA updates after you've updated with FDRS. Certain FDRS updates also were never sent via the OTA system, so doing all of the updates in FDRS Wil yield the best result. And OTA's will flow in normally there after.

 

[rugedraw]

One more question, now what? Do I keep updating everything manually until I’m on the latest revision or will OTA update figure it out and starting to supply updates again? Will it ever update automatically again?

Also does anyone know if there is a way to install the BCM updates? It keeps promoting for the NASTF account.

@Big Dog Daddy @Snakebitten @anyone
Thx

Yes, I would update everything until nothing else is left to update.

No way to update the BCM now unless you have a dealer login to FDRS.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

No way to update the BCM now unless you have a dealer login to FDRS.

Wow, this is news, So Ford has restricted access to updating the BCM? Are there other modules that are blocked from updating?

 

[rugedraw]

Wow, this is news, So Ford has restricted access to updating the BCM? Are there other modules that are blocked from updating?

I don't think it is a restriction so much and a mistake that they need to fix.

 

[SilverPigeon]

A licensing question please...
I'll be an FDRS newbie in a week or two. I understand that if I purchase a 2-day license early on day 1 that I'll get the rest of day 1 plus days 2 and 3. My question is: what time does the licensing use? Is it an absolute time e.g. US EST, or is it a local to the user Timezone? Being in Aus, it will determine the quantity of coffee needed?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

A licensing question please...
I'll be an FDRS newbie in a week or two. I understand that if I purchase a 2-day license early on day 1 that I'll get the rest of day 1 plus days 2 and 3. My question is: what time does the licensing use? Is it an absolute time e.g. US EST, or is it a local to the user Timezone? Being in Aus, it will determine the quantity of coffee needed?

I believe it is midnight EDT when you get cutoff.
I have used FDRS in the evening on calendar day two (day 3 in your example).

I do believe based on other posts that you would need a VPN to fake being in USA to get FDRS to work. Someone else will have to confirm that.

 

[SilverPigeon]

I believe it is midnight EDT when you get cutoff.
I have used FDRS in the evening on calendar day two (day 3 in your example).

I do believe based on other posts that you would need a VPN to fake being in USA to get FDRS to work. Someone else will have to confirm that.

Thank you ?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Hilarious thing I learned today with automatic wipers.
Must turn off wipers when updating.
Thankfully it was only a short door module so far. Even with switch off because it was on first notch when I started kept going and going.

Oops. ??

 

[fordtruckman2003]

40.4.8 worked for me on same Windows 11 laptop I always use.

I see the BCM update is still locked out.
Is this the new normal or do we still think it is a bug?

Getting yard work done with the long IPMA update. Got tired of waiting for it to come OTA and my adaptive cruise could use the improvements.

Installed remote desktop so I've been monitoring updates with my phone. Great idea that many have suggested in this thread.

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