FDRS fixed OTA Issues

[tnugentfl]

Prior to last week I hadn't received an OTA since July. I didn't get the SOC update, etc. Thanks to some nice members on here, I borrowed a Mongoose and was able to complete all of the updates. Since then, I have received 3 OTAs in rapid succession. It seems to have triggered something. It is definitely worth a try for anyone waiting.

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[lakeguy55]

For the more inexperienced in the group. Can you describe what Mongoose is, and the steps you took to do this?

I've tried following the various threads on all of this. But they have a lot of conflicting info (remove low-voltage battery (LVB) to charge, just use these 2 posts, no, those 2 posts, etc.). Can we make this the definitive thread for clear steps to make an update happen?

On a related note, as a software engineer, I'm very used to acronyms. But this site has tons that I don't know. We need an acronym dictionary. (This one had my head spinning! Probably great info, but without knowing 90% of the acronyms, difficult to follow. https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...software-updates-using-fdrs.11029/post-343013 )

 

[sstevetx]

Here's a link to the Mongoose Plus referenced along with 2 links with instructions on doing FDRS updates. The Mach E one has a video tutorial I found useful when researching this. It is not a cheap undertaking, but it did allow me to update my 2022 which sat on a dealer lot for almost a year and was far behind on updates.

https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Plus-J2534-Vehicle-Interface-Cable/dp/B097NHQ7ZW

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ach-e-with-fdrs-alternative-to-forscan.10217/

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

@Mike G is also a fantastic resource. Check for his posts explaining the process and for his getting started guides. He posts on a few different Ford forums as he regularly updates his vehicles but also helps everyone out with anything they need. He would make a killing traveling the country updating people's vehicles for them!

 

[lakeguy55]

Thanks. But spending $500+ and becoming an expert on Ford diagnostics far exceeds my desire for the updates. I'm going to try charging my LVB to see if that triggers the OTA updates. If not, off to my dealer (who's very good) as they will need to do the BECM Customer Satisfaction update that I got a letter for in September and which also still has not happened.

 

[CdnCGM23]

Anybody in the Toronto area that can help me with updates? I to haven't had an update since June.

 

[rugedraw]

For the more inexperienced in the group. Can you describe what Mongoose is, and the steps you took to do this?

I've tried following the various threads on all of this. But they have a lot of conflicting info (remove low-voltage battery (LVB) to charge, just use these 2 posts, no, those 2 posts, etc.). Can we make this the definitive thread for clear steps to make an update happen?

On a related note, as a software engineer, I'm very used to acronyms. But this site has tons that I don't know. We need an acronym dictionary. (This one had my head spinning! Probably great info, but without knowing 90% of the acronyms, difficult to follow. https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...software-updates-using-fdrs.11029/post-343013 )

The acronyms are for different modules in your truck. For example:

APIM: accessory protocol interface module
GWM: gateway module
TCU: telematics control unit

It's a lot to digest at first.

 

[Jim657]

I had the exact same thing wasn’t getting any updates since July. Took the truck to the dealer for lightbar, dash mat and a couple software update recalls. They got the software installed for the battery module ,charge port stuck/melting but they had trouble getting the APIM to update. When I took the truck home, the vehicle said there was an update, pending, and within a few hours I was getting updates again. So we’ll see if they keep coming. They have said if I have any more problems, they have contacted Ford and a field service technician will come in if needed.

 

[Mike G]

The acronyms are for different modules in your truck. For example:

APIM: accessory protocol interface module
GWM: gateway module
TCU: telematics control unit

It's a lot to digest at first.

Acronyms from MME site

 

[Mike G]

If you buy a truck that's been sitting on the lot for a long time it will have issues getting OTAs initially. Reasons would be the state of charge of the 12V battery while sitting on a dealer lot...the fact that the dealership sales staff have zero interest in setting up updates to happen automatically when they receive the truck (Auto updates are defaulted to OFF from the plant)...and last but certainly not least is the fact that OTAs come out on a schedule.....the truck is supposed to check in occasionally using the TCU...but if the auto updates are set to OFF and the truck doesn't get started and moved around a bit for the TCU to report to the mothership, then those updates that were in the queue expire. And then your truck...after meeting all the other requirements, like connecting to the mothership with the TCU, and having a 12V battery that's above 80% SOC...would have to wait for that same OTA to get put back in the queue again weeks later.

So in reality...for any truck (or any OTA capable Ford vehicle) that has been sitting for that long (say more than three months)...there ought to be a requirement to ensure that OTAs aren't "stuck" or backed up by doing a pre-delivery update for any gateway, APIM, and TCU updates that are behind, and any other updates that were released as TSBs or SSMs fixes for problems found in the field and for which all comparable vehicles have these updates as available in their software list in FDRS. They could do this under a Customer Satisfaction Program and/or make it a pre-delivery requirement for any vehicles that have not sold within X months of production.

 

[Mike G]

I still think there needs to be an OASIS message sent out.....even if there was one sent out before (due to short attention spans) that reminds techs that when there is a GWM (gateway), APIM (Sync), or TCU (telematics modem), in the available software list that they are to be updated specifically in that sequence to prevent dependency blockages of other updates.

I don't think this is getting enough attention.

Meaning these three should always be the first things updated and in that sequence...before any other updates are done.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Nominating @Mike G to CTO of @Ford Motor Company

 

[BSull]

I too was not receiving OTAs. I did the Mongoose, FDRS thing, updated a few modules and then poof. I have an OTA for the owners manual (23-PU0724-DOM-RS) pending. It hasn't downloaded yet however. We'll see.

It seems that whatever I did unblocked something or it is just one big coincidence.

Edit: I don't know what's going on, I got this notification on the 19th. It still has not downloaded, and the update now button is greyed out obviously. I have tried to make sure everything is set up to have the truck do the download but it hasn't happened yet. How long before the truck gives up trying if it's trying to download. The symbol I'm seeing is the down pointing arrow over an inbox I guess with an exclamation point next to it.

Any suggestions?

 

[chillaban]

I helped a friend with a Mach E in a similar situation. He was still getting certain OTAs but he had a stuck GWM update which blocked a bunch of updates including the APIM refresh from last year. Just applying the GWM/APIM got him unstuck and the bulk of the other updates went OTA

 

[Puffoluffagus]

Fwiw, as I've posted in other threads, I hadn't recieved an update since July and then randomly a few weeks ago recieved a 4.3.2.1 update or similar which forced me to do a master ford pass reset. Since that time, I seem to be getting the other updates such including 6.1 yesterday. I had logged into fdrs prior to this and did have a bunch of updates pending(and probably still do), but I was going to hold off on ordering the mongoose etc until I see how the updates do after the becm update i have scheduled by my dealer next month.

So dunno, maybe coincidence. Or maybe ford is finally trying to push all the otas through in prep for the next blue cruise version.

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