Heated steering wheel retrofit via software?

[ytwytw]

I happen to watch some YouTube video and it says all MY23 f150 has all the needed hardware for heated steering wheel, but not software

Also another video saying in the FDRS, there is enable heated steering wheel option for the MY23, but when click on it, it says not available

It would be great to have heated steering wheel retrofit via software, it would be $50 FDRS 2day license and then I'm good to go

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[Zprime29]

It was removed due to chip shortages, so while there might be heating coils and such, I doubt there is a microchip to control it. Unlikely it only requires a software update. There's probably a module that plugs in somewhere to control it.

 

[Pioneer74]

The heated wheel is already installed, but I believe the SCCM module is missing. That is needed for it to work before the software can make it work.

 

[mattskr]

I too watched the video yesterday. To quote Tim from the video: "The heated steering wheel for the F150 Lightning is a software issue there, not a hardware issue...so because of that will be able to be retrofitted later".

If he his correct, then this means the modules are there they are just not activated for whatever reason?

 

[Maquis]

I too watched the video yesterday. To quote Tim from the video: "The heated steering wheel for the F150 Lightning is a software issue there, not a hardware issue...so because of that will be able to be retrofitted later".

If he his correct, then this means the modules are there they are just not activated for whatever reason?

If the issue was strictly software, how could be an issue at all? The inventory guy screwed up and Ford ran out of software?

 

[mattskr]

If the issue was strictly software, how could be an issue at all? The inventory guy screwed up and Ford ran out of software?

There's always issues with software. That's why there are always updates!

So here's what else is interesting...in a similar video he did focusing on the ICE trucks...he specifically states that it is a "PART" issue and that "it will not be retrofitted and cannot be added later". However, in the Lightning version of the video states it's a software issue and can be retrofitted.

Here's my guess...clearly a hardware shortage is part of it, but what if there were just enough parts to add it to the Lightning, which is produced in much more limited numbers than ICE. At the same time, there was a software glitch, conflict, something out of sorts and since they were deleting it anyway it wasn't a priority to resolve...until now?

 

[bmwhitetx]

I also saw Tim's video and thought that's great it's just software. But I'm at a loss on how they ran of software. My Oct build has heated steering wheel as do a lot of 2022's. Also he stated that builds starting Feb 6th will now have heated steering wheel again. Sure sounds like a part problem.

 

[Maquis]

There's always issues with software. That's why there are always updates!

So here's what else is interesting...in a similar video he did focusing on the ICE trucks...he specifically states that it is a "PART" issue and that "it will not be retrofitted and cannot be added later". However, in the Lightning version of the video states it's a software issue and can be retrofitted.

Here's my guess...clearly a hardware shortage is part of it, but what if there were just enough parts to add it to the Lightning, which is produced in much more limited numbers than ICE. At the same time, there was a software glitch, conflict, something out of sorts and since they were deleting it anyway it wasn't a priority to resolve...until now?

I’m pretty sure the Ford document about deprecated features for 2023 models stated that the heated steering wheel will be enabled by the dealer when parts become available.

Emphasis added.

 

[ytwytw]

I also saw Tim's video and thought that's great it's just software. But I'm at a loss on how they ran of software. My Oct build has heated steering wheel as do a lot of 2022's. Also he stated that builds starting Feb 6th will now have heated steering wheel again. Sure sounds like a part problem.

He also said car build before Feb also have all the necessary hardware, but not software.
I have Dec 21 Built MY23 Lariat and impatiently trying to figure it out, but I guess we can have some more data point once we can get the AsBuilt file and/or VIN and maybe Forscan data to see how I can retrofit in my car

 

[Maquis]

He also said car build before Feb also have all the necessary hardware, but not software.
I have Dec 21 Built MY23 Lariat and impatiently trying to figure it out, but I guess we can have some more data point once we can get the AsBuilt file and/or VIN and maybe Forscan data to see how I can retrofit in my car

I‘d be happy if you’re right, but I’m skeptical. My truck was built about the same time as yours.

ETA….a software update will be needed in addition to adding hardware since the button is missing from the screen - at least mine is.

 

[VTbuckeye]

Maybe it's a combination parts/software issue. The hardware in the heated steering wheel is there for it to be heated (you won't need a different steering wheel), but the other hardware/chips to control it need to be added wherever that module is located. The software to allow the chips/module to make the steering wheel work will also need to be added once the module/chip is added.

So yes, it is a software enabled function and the hardware is present (but not all of the hardware). **My best guess, worth what you paid for it.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

If it was a software issue, no Lightnings would have heated steering wheels. This is 100% due to a parts shortage. Anyone without a heated wheel will need hardware of some type added to their truck.

 

[ytwytw]

If it was a software issue, no Lightnings would have heated steering wheels. This is 100% due to a parts shortage. Anyone without a heated wheel will need hardware of some type added to their truck.

It could be Ford is using a different module (brand/model) to control the heat steering wheel after a certain point, but the driver is not developed.
then later they start to develop the driver software and release it as software update to enable the feature.
sounds like a Tesla approach but it's great to have hardware shipped and enable it with software afterwards to adapt supply shortage.

assume the above are true, then ford is smart.

but seeing new f150 are also deleting bed cameras, so it may not be that smart lol

 

[TaxmanHog]

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/heated-steering-wheel-retrofit-pu-22g06.16703/

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