ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[RellIk&5]

I had this show for a few months then finally received it OTA with a GWM update on my old 23..

I got a BCM update last week on my '22. It was the one for battery management improvements. After I received the update, I was able to get the GWM, APIM, and TCU updates via FDRS.

Sponsored

 

[coadr]

Does anyone here have experience with programming an IPC when switching from analogue to digital gauges? I've seen a couple threads on it but looking to get more info on the order process and vin/mileage matching

 

[RoyalCrimson18]

I'm looking for some knowledge of FDRS, I'm in the middle of swapping an APIM from a 21 F-150 into my 18 F-150, I've got most of the swap done a this point and after a test boot, I'm seeing its at an older revision of Sync 4. Would I be able to use FDRS, the appropriate cable, and a USB stick to update that module? Or are there other modules and security checks that need to happen?

Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[HammaMan]

I'm looking for some knowledge of FDRS, I'm in the middle of swapping an APIM from a 21 F-150 into my 18 F-150, I've got most of the swap done a this point and after a test boot, I'm seeing its at an older revision of Sync 4. Would I be able to use FDRS, the appropriate cable, and a USB stick to update that module? Or are there other modules and security checks that need to happen?

Any guidance is appreciated.

? ? ?

You've put a 21+ APIM into a gen 13? Haven't heard of this being done. So many dependencies for these things to work right. Given the way APIM updates work via USB and needing a vin-linked key on the drive with the appropriate files, geez.

 

[RoyalCrimson18]

Hmm, I wonder if I could take the VIN from a 21+ trim with similar options and use that to update it.

 

[Ajzride]

Hmm, I wonder if I could take the VIN from a 21+ trim with similar options and use that to update it.

You are of the reservation man, into some real Frankenstein stuff.

You will need the VIN for your 2021 APIM, a way to trick FDRS into downloading the files, then using forscan beta to side load them.

 

[RoyalCrimson18]

You are of the reservation man, into some real Frankenstein stuff.

You will need the VIN for your 2021 APIM, a way to trick FDRS into downloading the files, then using forscan beta to side load them.

Yea, I'm bored lol, I was going to buy a new truck this year, but I'm being cautious with what's going on in the world right now, so I'm holding on to my 18 and doing a project.

Can Forscan sideload an update like that? I was under the impression that FDRS was required for that as well as the download. But I've not used FDRS yet.

 

[HammaMan]

Hmm, I wonder if I could take the VIN from a 21+ trim with similar options and use that to update it.

The VIN isn't in the APIM, it asks the BCM for the vin. FDRS won't generate the file correctly. You'd need to drop it into a 21+ to update it.

Unsure of how the 13th gen handles vins and updates, but there's some very tricky ways around doing VIN swaps and whatnot that you'd have to figure out elsewhere. Pretty straightforward on sync4 vehicles, but if the VIN propagates out to other modules you'll have to go around the vehicle changing them back. I've had to do it before so yeah. But I'm always trying to break my vehicles so don't follow in my footsteps unless you're willing to break shit.

Can Forscan sideload an update like that?

Nope, and if it could somehow do it, it'd take an hour per 100MBs and APIM updates are 6200MBs

@Jesse-Infotainment is probably the only one who could even begin to offer suggestions from this point.

 

[RoyalCrimson18]

Thanks for the info. It looks like that would stop me as the 15-20 doesn't have a BCM that I can modify the VIN on, it looks like the 21+ does though which is interesting.

 

[Ajzride]

The VIN isn't in the APIM, it asks the BCM for the vin. FDRS won't generate the file correctly. You'd need to drop it into a 21+ to update it.

Unsure of how the 13th gen handles vins and updates, but there's some very tricky ways around doing VIN swaps and whatnot that you'd have to figure out elsewhere. Pretty straightforward on sync4 vehicles, but if the VIN propagates out to other modules you'll have to go around the vehicle changing them back. I've had to do it before so yeah. But I'm always trying to break my vehicles so don't follow in my footsteps unless you're willing to break shit.


Nope, and if it could somehow do it, it'd take an hour per 100MBs and APIM updates are 6200MBs

@Jesse-Infotainment is probably the only one who could even begin to offer suggestions from this point.

Yea, I'm an idiot, I forgot how big the APIM update is.

I think the only path forwards is a bench setup, with a BCM, PCM, and Gateway. Flash each one of those with the proper VIN, then setup the APIM on the network and see if it would update.

 

[rugedraw]

I'm looking for some knowledge of FDRS, I'm in the middle of swapping an APIM from a 21 F-150 into my 18 F-150, I've got most of the swap done a this point and after a test boot, I'm seeing its at an older revision of Sync 4. Would I be able to use FDRS, the appropriate cable, and a USB stick to update that module? Or are there other modules and security checks that need to happen?

Any guidance is appreciated.

What you want to do is way beyond FDRS or Forscan. If you want to keep it simple, just find another APIM on at least Sync 22293 so you can have full screen carplay/android auto and let it be. The tricky part is knowing what Sync version it's on, so I'd look into buying one off of a 2023 so you know the sync software is somewhat current. Aside from full screen phone capability, there's nothing in the newer Sync software that would be of benefit to you anyway. If you already have Sync 22293 or higher, then enjoy the upgrade as it is.

 

[RoyalCrimson18]

What you want to do is way beyond FDRS or Forscan. If you want to keep it simple, just find another APIM on at least Sync 22293 so you can have full screen carplay/android auto and let it be. The tricky part is knowing what Sync version it's on, so I'd look into buying one off of a 2023 so you know the sync software is somewhat current. Aside from full screen phone capability, there's nothing in the newer Sync software that would be of benefit to you anyway. If you already have Sync 22293 or higher, then enjoy the upgrade as it is.

Full Screen CarPlay is really the only reason I've done this so far, my APIM is on SYNC 4, Software Version: 20262 and Revision: 229.

 

[rugedraw]

Full Screen CarPlay is really the only reason I've done this so far, my APIM is on SYNC 4, Software Version: 20262 and Revision: 229.

Ouch. That's the broken Sync software from 2020 that was virtually un-updateable even in perfect conditions. That could have only come off a job 1 2021 truck and was a nightmare to reprogram.

Yea, I'd buy one off of a 2023 and don't even resell that one. Chalk it up as a loss and do the F150 community a favor a blow it up with a quarter stick of dynamite. ?

 

[tonyramz]

I dared to defy the odds given the numbers. I had already started running the updates when I realized the mileage numbers. Everything went well except for one item. I was unable to update the BCM as it’s telling me that I need to be registered with NASTF and need to enter my credentials for this website which I don’t have. The PSCM and the ACM keep coming up even though I have already updated them.
I just wanted to thank you guys for this post which made me feel confident that I could handle this task. You truly are a great community.

 

[rugedraw]

I dared to defy the odds given the numbers. I had already started running the updates when I realized the mileage numbers. Everything went well except for one item. I was unable to update the BCM as it’s telling me that I need to be registered with NASTF and need to enter my credentials for this website which I don’t have. The PSCM and the ACM keep coming up even though I have already updated them.
I just wanted to thank you guys for this post which made me feel confident that I could handle this task. You truly are a great community.

BCM cannot be updated without a dealer login and the ACM and PSCM do not come off the list for whatever reason after they are updated. You are good to go! The BCM will come via the OTA process eventually.

Sponsored