Sponsored

Heated steering wheel retrofit via software?

Status
Not open for further replies.

ytwytw

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2023
Threads
17
Messages
167
Reaction score
108
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicles
2023 F150 Lighting ER Lariat


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
Sponsored

 

Zprime29

Well-known member
First Name
Brandon
Joined
Jul 26, 2022
Threads
37
Messages
2,003
Reaction score
2,089
Location
Tucson, AZ
Vehicles
2022 Lightning ER, 2025 XC90 Recharge
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

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Threads
32
Messages
3,526
Reaction score
6,302
Location
Dearborn
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER - 2022 Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Electrician
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

Well-known member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Sep 11, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
272
Reaction score
386
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicles
23 Platinum Iconic Silver
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

Well-known member
First Name
Dave
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
3,535
Reaction score
4,457
Location
Illinois
Vehicles
2021 Mach-E E4-X; 2023 Lightning Lariat ER
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? 😄
 

Sponsored

mattskr

Well-known member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Sep 11, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
272
Reaction score
386
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicles
23 Platinum Iconic Silver
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

Well-known member
First Name
Bruce
Joined
May 21, 2021
Threads
40
Messages
1,640
Reaction score
2,284
Location
DFW-Texas
Vehicles
2022 F150 Lightning Lariat ER
Occupation
Retired engineer
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

Well-known member
First Name
Dave
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
3,535
Reaction score
4,457
Location
Illinois
Vehicles
2021 Mach-E E4-X; 2023 Lightning Lariat ER
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.
 
OP
OP

ytwytw

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2023
Threads
17
Messages
167
Reaction score
108
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicles
2023 F150 Lighting ER Lariat
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

Well-known member
First Name
Dave
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
3,535
Reaction score
4,457
Location
Illinois
Vehicles
2021 Mach-E E4-X; 2023 Lightning Lariat ER
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.
 

Sponsored

VTbuckeye

Well-known member
First Name
Joseph
Joined
Jan 15, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
916
Reaction score
878
Location
Vermont
Vehicles
22 Lightning Lariat ER max tow built Aug 22, 16 XC90T8, 22 XC40 P8 Recharge
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

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 18, 2021
Threads
43
Messages
2,116
Reaction score
2,281
Location
PNW
Vehicles
2023 Lightning XLT ER
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.
 
OP
OP

ytwytw

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2023
Threads
17
Messages
167
Reaction score
108
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicles
2023 F150 Lighting ER Lariat
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
 
Last edited:

TaxmanHog

Moderator
Moderator
First Name
Noel
Joined
Jan 19, 2022
Threads
174
Messages
12,523
Reaction score
13,261
Location
SE. Mass.
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat-ER & 2024 HD Road Glide CVO-ST
Occupation
Retired
Status
Not open for further replies.
 





Top