ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[Platinum Peasant]

I had thought about running a cat 6 cable all the way to my garage through my house to make sure I had enough speed on the download. May want to keep that in mind if the newer computer doesn't work.

Excellent idea. I actually have a 50ft one!!

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[Bob_Mac]

Final note from me about my update experience (for now). I had Camera's at Speed and Glare Free lighting enabled, both of which had IPMA changes made. I didn't restore anything back to stock prior to updating my modules today. When I was done, no DTCs on any modules. I checked twice in FDRS before finishing and then also in FORScan as well. It seems that @Bob_Mac had a unique experience.

The DTC I received was specific to the "Disable Auto-Reverse-Braking & Alert" mod I did in FORScan which was in conflict to the IPMA configuration with the latest update.

 

[JEB]

Can't say for sure, but if it fails at the download screen that you had in your post, then yes same thing. Also had many times updates would fail during downloading. In my case it was the computer. The old computer worked for a few updates but I was fighting them whole time. Once I got to the IPC and GWM it just kept failing. I switched to a newer computer and it went great, no more fighting.

@Platinum Peasant. Before wasting time on a new computer, uninstall and reinstall FDRS. Delete all user settings and previous downloads when prompted to do so during the uninstall.

@Jaug The newer computer might have worked because it was faster. But it also might have worked because you reinstalled a “clean” version of FDRS with the user settings, old file downloads, etc. reset or deleted on a new computer. I suspect the latter.

I use a 10+ -year old laptop that used to run Windows 7 that I upgraded very slightly to do flash programming. It works fine. It seems these days everyone wants to go for the nukes before trying more moderate options.

 

[imnuts]

So I’ve hit a roadblock, and I’m posting this in case someone knows what is failing/ going on (or in case someone else too experiences this issue). Huge thank you to @Jesse-Infotainment for working on this with me over the last 2 days, but unfortunately the issue still persists. If someone mentioned this issue already, I apologize. My eyes are almost literally on fire as I read through the entire 2000+ posts on this thread over the last 2 nights while working in the NICU in between patient rounds, and didn’t see it mentioned.

When attempting to update the IPC or GWM module, FDRS attempts to download the update for about 30 seconds and then displays: GWM software update application ended with an error state. It does the same thing for the IPC. Also, if a PMI is attempted on either module, it does the same thing, ending in an error state after attempting to download. I have never been prompted to insert a usb drive, ever. Not sure if this is related to a GWM Ethernet problem. Currently on 2.3.0

My other modules updates mostly went through just fine without issue, except, like mentioned heavily earlier in the thread, some won’t clear from the list: GSM, PSCM, IPMA, etc. When I was updating IPMA the first time, it errored out about 80% of the way through. I reapplied the update again and it went through successfully the second time. Active driver assist (what keeps your wheel centered on the highway while cruising and lane assist on) does not work at this time. No other errors are popping up on the IPC.

No DTCs are present on any of the modules present, they are also green on FDRS and pass self tests flawlessly.

I am using a mongoose cable, drivers installed, and have no used any other devices. Forscan reset of the modules was also done, went off flawlessly without issue.

I am not good with reading advanced code, so I am not 100% sure if any of my AB is corrupted or if this issue is entirely on the FDRS side. My vin is 1FTFW1E11MFB18254.

I tried pulling the battery for about 7 hours (while I slept during the day for work tonight), didn’t change anything. FDRS was reinstalled. Large quantities of coffee consumed. My voltage holds relatively steady during updates. Internet connection reset.

Also pictured: when I try to shutdown my laptop, this error pops up related to FDRS. I will be trying a newer laptop later this weekend, but I stopped right here as I don’t want to screw things up by clicking on ? without asking other first.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

@Platinum Peasant. Before wasting time on a new computer, uninstall and reinstall FDRS. Delete all user settings and previous downloads when prompted to do so during the uninstall.

@Jaug The newer computer might have worked because it was faster. But it also might have worked because you reinstalled a “clean” version of FDRS with the user settings, old file downloads, etc. reset or deleted on a new computer. I suspect the latter.

I use a 10+ -year old laptop that used to run Windows 7 that I upgraded very slightly to do flash programming. It works fine. It seems these days everyone wants to go for the nukes before trying more moderate options.

I was going to suggest either clearing out the Program data folder from FDRS and any user AppData, or uninstall, restart, check that all that stuff is gone, and reinstall. I feel like something probably happened during a download and now the program doesn't know how to fix itself.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

So... I've done APIM a few times and GWM now, but when trying to do CCM and PSCM, the entire truck shuts off except the sync screen, FDRS establishes comms, then it tells me that it can't communicate. After around 60seconds the truck will "come alive" again, but it won't work with any other modules now.

Known issue? I'm using Mongoose cable.

This is normal. Any can bus update shuts the entire truck down

 

[abd79]

I was going to suggest either clearing out the Program data folder from FDRS and any user AppData, or uninstall, restart, check that all that stuff is gone, and reinstall. I feel like something probably happened during a download and now the program doesn't know how to fix itself.

Be carful with your FDRS licensing as well. It is tied to a specific machine I believe and if you’re changing laptops you need to first remove the license from your laptop and put it back on the cloud. FDRS is only allowed to be activated on one machine at a time, To manage your license go through the license management tool in FDRS. I’m not sure if uninstalling/reinstalling will also mess with the licensing but if it does and you didn’t move your license first you will need to call Rotunda support for them to free up your license so you can reactivate your FDRS.

 

[sailorz]

It appears plugging in my USB no longer says indexing after it’s detected. Not sure if this is normal since it’s already indexed once.

You need to just leave the USB stick plugged in. It may take a couple of weeks for the truck to decide to read it. Or, maybe have two USB sticks set up and switch back and forth between them after a couple of weeks.

 

[JEB]

So... I've done APIM a few times and GWM now, but when trying to do CCM and PSCM, the entire truck shuts off except the sync screen, FDRS establishes comms, then it tells me that it can't communicate. After around 60seconds the truck will "come alive" again, but it won't work with any other modules now.

Known issue? I'm using Mongoose cable.

This is normal. Any can bus update shuts the entire truck down

@Jesse-Infotainment . I was right there with you until the “can’t communicate” warning. That’s not normal. Even during CAN bus programming, I haven’t seen the connection drop with FDRS or between the laptop and the truck. If everything just shut down, there’d be no power to the bus to do the programming. I suspect in this case there might have been a broken connection with the FDRS server or, more likely, a voltage drop in the 12V system that gimped the CAN bus and interrupted the connection with the laptop. Did the connection icon in FDRS stay green the entire time? Was your battery voltage sufficient to maintain stable power to the CAN bus during programming?

 

[Ebrou]

Be carful with your FDRS licensing as well. It is tied to a specific machine I believe and if you’re changing laptops you need to first remove the license from your laptop and put it back on the cloud. FDRS is only allowed to be activated on one machine at a time, To manage your license go through the license management tool in FDRS. I’m not sure if uninstalling/reinstalling will also mess with the licensing but if it does and you didn’t move your license first you will need to call Rotunda support for them to free up your license so you can reactivate your FDRS.

@abd79 great point... you must return the license before removing and reinstalling FDRS. This is also same with Forscan and IDS. Each installation creates a hardware signature that is unique to that install and is never the same with sequential reinstallations. I learned the hard way with using IDS many years ago when I updated my laptop from windows 8 to 7 Pro.

 

[Platinum Peasant]

@Platinum Peasant. Before wasting time on a new computer, uninstall and reinstall FDRS. Delete all user settings and previous downloads when prompted to do so during the uninstall.

@Jaug The newer computer might have worked because it was faster. But it also might have worked because you reinstalled a “clean” version of FDRS with the user settings, old file downloads, etc. reset or deleted on a new computer. I suspect the latter.

I use a 10+ -year old laptop that used to run Windows 7 that I upgraded very slightly to do flash programming. It works fine. It seems these days everyone wants to go for the nukes before trying more moderate options.

I will be borrowing a newer laptop from someone to see if it is the issue or not, definitely wouldnt spend money on a new laptop in hopes of it being the cause and then paying a hefty restocking fee. Will also completely wipe and factory reset my current laptop (its only use is forscan and FDRS, i normally use a macbook but know windows well). I already tried reinstalling FDRS with no luck, same issue persisted. Not sure if there is a cache of files left over post unstill though. Im using a lenovo running windows 10.

 

[Platinum Peasant]

I was going to suggest either clearing out the Program data folder from FDRS and any user AppData, or uninstall, restart, check that all that stuff is gone, and reinstall. I feel like something probably happened during a download and now the program doesn't know how to fix itself.

Im gonna dig around as soon as my shift is over and try clearing any and all files and resetting the laptop back to factory just to overkill it lol. But i think something definitely is up with the laptop. It handled smaller updates just fine, but failed big time on its first try of the IPMA.

 

[Platinum Peasant]

Be carful with your FDRS licensing as well. It is tied to a specific machine I believe and if you’re changing laptops you need to first remove the license from your laptop and put it back on the cloud. FDRS is only allowed to be activated on one machine at a time, To manage your license go through the license management tool in FDRS. I’m not sure if uninstalling/reinstalling will also mess with the licensing but if it does and you didn’t move your license first you will need to call Rotunda support for them to free up your license so you can reactivate your FDRS.

Thank you for that! Didnt know that its tied to the machine. You probably saved me another massive headache in all of this! Thanks!

 

[JEB]

Im gonna dig around as soon as my shift is over and try clearing any and all files and resetting the laptop back to factory just to overkill it lol. But i think something definitely is up with the laptop. It handled smaller updates just fine, but failed big time on its first try of the IPMA.

Depending on time and inclination, I strongly recommend installing an SSD if you are currently using a laptop with a conventional drive. A 500GB drive will cost you about $50, a USB adapter to do a clone will cost less than $20 and cloning software is free. An SSD is not only much faster than a conventional drive (an old laptop will run like a new laptop for most purposes), it is more resistant to bumps and shakes—a really good feature when using a laptop in your garage.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

@Jesse-Infotainment . I was right there with you until the “can’t communicate” warning. That’s not normal. Even during CAN bus programming, I haven’t seen the connection drop with FDRS or between the laptop and the truck. If everything just shut down, there’d be no power to the bus to do the programming. I suspect in this case there might have been a broken connection with the FDRS server or, more likely, a voltage drop in the 12V system that gimped the CAN bus and interrupted the connection with the laptop. Did the connection icon in FDRS stay green the entire time? Was your battery voltage sufficient to maintain stable power to the CAN bus during programming?

Im sorry I didnt read it.. I just have seen several of those and thought it was the saem truck shuts off and 911 not available question.. Yes that is not normal. Sorry for the confusion and thank you JEB for catching that

 

[Platinum Peasant]

Depending on time and inclination, I strongly recommend installing an SSD if you are currently using a laptop with a conventional drive. A 500GB drive will cost you about $50, a USB adapter to do a clone will cost less than $20 and cloning software is free. An SSD is not only much faster than a conventional drive (an old laptop will run like a new laptop for most purposes), it is more resistant to bumps and shakes—a really good feature when using a laptop in your garage.

I thought about the SSD upgrade when i got the laptop weeks ago but didnt think about it intensely until this issue and you mentioning it again. Might just have my brother in law swap one in for me this week, he has experience with that. Thanks for the recommendation!

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