Vehicle won't turn on, forscan won't connect, cannot fix, looking for advice

[antho]

I do not consider myself an expert at all with module programming of any kind. When people like Antho step in to lend a helping hand, I stay in my lane and let the gurus do what they do. Based on the limited knowledge I have of these things, this does not look to me like it failed due to the voltage dropping. I just updated a BCM for an F150 in my driveway last night and it took minutes. I never connected my power supply to his truck because I have updated enough BCM's to know if the voltage is reading over 12v when I connect FDRS to it, that is more than enough. I understand the EV's have a 12v with half the capacity of an ICE truck, but again: The BCM takes minutes to program.

IMO, this here shows where the programming went wrong. This is not a voltage issue. This looks like a "don't update your modules with FORScan" issue. If I am wrong, I would not be upset at all if Antho or anyone who knows better corrects me.

We are all here trying to just help out with what knowledge we may have. Forscan beta is pretty good but i treat it like i do with FDRS. Meaning a Mongoose cable and a Battery charger/backup. Seems like the OP made a few choices that dug himself into a hole. Not sure about the OBD adapter he used and not sure why he pulled the battery rather than charging it in the truck. Hopefully he can get it squared away. I also wonder if the truck still has the Canbus shut down from the update. I know on some updates it will stop the canbus comms to write. Not sure if its possible that its still shut down. No need to "Stay in your lane". @rugedraw

 

[rugedraw]

This is why I'm so'ooo apprehensive of attempting anything ForScan.

In all fairness: Using FORScan to make a little config change to enable or disable a feature is relatively safe. What the OP is doing here is a different animal.

 

[ZSC100]

I'm an electrical engineer and though I'm not familiar with interlocks specifically, I can imagine how they work and I do think this is what caused the issue you're having.

I love your humor despite your situation: "what kind of idiot programs an electric vehicle with an interlock installed... well, here they are."

Unfortunately I suspect (if I was the tech at a dealer) if you take it to a dealer they will say the same thing and refuse to work on a BCM replacement without removing the Interlock shit first. Here's why I suspect it happened. Although our trucks are EVs, they still behave like an ICE in most all ways, especially the 12v controls. When you push the "start" button it behaves similar to an ICE truck in that it starts things, authenticates the key, wakes up all modules, enables lots of other things, etc. As far as your interlock device knows it think's your starting an engine, or turning on an "ignition". Lots of words here that aren't really compatible with an EV, but I digress. Your Interlock probably behaves in a similar way to a latching start/stop circuit. Meaning when you blow in it a latching circuit of some kind latches ON until the vehicle is powered off, allowing you to drive an infinite amount until you turn off the vehicle. This explains why you've never had an issue with FORScan until now. Changing module configurations or anything else with the vehicle doesn't require cycling the ignition, and even if it says to do so, it asks YOU to do it. When programming module firmware (especially the BCM) the ignition/start is cycled automatically by the BCM as part of the memory shuffling that happens. So, with an interlock device this was probably disrupted somehow and thus the BCM wasn't allowed to cycle the 12v ignition at will to complete it's memory checks. I remember changing my BCM firmware many times when I was pioneering the passive entry mod back in 2022. The first time you do it, it's quite unsettling how bizarre the other modules in the truck behave: very similar to you cycling the ignition a bunch of times. I'm really sorry this has happened to you, this is enough to drive someone to drinking sorry I had to make that pun).

I'm also curious how dealers deal with this kind of thing. If a vehicle was in service and needed the BCM updated by FDRS I suspect the same thing would happen. I wonder if ASME service techs have some kind of ethical/legal pass to defeat interlocks while a vehicle is in service? The certainly wouldn't want to put their mouth on that thaaang. Why did I just say that in my head with the Hawk-Tuah accent

 

[Richie740]

I was seriously debating getting FORscan because some of the cool things I've seen people do with their vehicles but this post has convinced me that the potential risks far outweigh any nifty want-to-have options. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you have luck getting your truck back operating.

 

[Mike G]

This is why I'm so'ooo apprehensive of attempting anything ForScan.

Tweaks to asbuilt settings are one thing. Module updates using FORSCAN are not something I would consider doing.

 

[PJnc284]

I was seriously debating getting FORscan because some of the cool things I've seen people do with their vehicles but this post has convinced me that the potential risks far outweigh any nifty want-to-have options. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you have luck getting your truck back operating.

I wouldn't let this thread sway you away from any tinkering in FORScan as this would be an outlier case as 99.9999% of those using it aren't using it to update modules.

 

[B177y]

I was seriously debating getting FORscan because some of the cool things I've seen people do with their vehicles but this post has convinced me that the potential risks far outweigh any nifty want-to-have options. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you have luck getting your truck back operating.

I have done plenty of tweaks and unlocked some hidden options. I totally borked some settings but I made backups and easily recovered.

The OP is doing something much more complicated.

 

[Mike G]

I'm an electrical engineer and though I'm not familiar with interlocks specifically, I can imagine how they work and I do think this is what caused the issue you're having.

I love your humor despite your situation: "what kind of idiot programs an electric vehicle with an interlock installed... well, here they are."

Unfortunately I suspect (if I was the tech at a dealer) if you take it to a dealer they will say the same thing and refuse to work on a BCM replacement without removing the Interlock shit first. Here's why I suspect it happened. Although our trucks are EVs, they still behave like an ICE in most all ways, especially the 12v controls. When you push the "start" button it behaves similar to an ICE truck in that it starts things, authenticates the key, wakes up all modules, enables lots of other things, etc. As far as your interlock device knows it think's your starting an engine, or turning on an "ignition". Lots of words here that aren't really compatible with an EV, but I digress. Your Interlock probably behaves in a similar way to a latching start/stop circuit. Meaning when you blow in it a latching circuit of some kind latches ON until the vehicle is powered off, allowing you to drive an infinite amount until you turn off the vehicle. This explains why you've never had an issue with FORScan until now. Changing module configurations or anything else with the vehicle doesn't require cycling the ignition, and even if it says to do so, it asks YOU to do it. When programming module firmware (especially the BCM) the ignition/start is cycled automatically by the BCM as part of the memory shuffling that happens. So, with an interlock device this was probably disrupted somehow and thus the BCM wasn't allowed to cycle the 12v ignition at will to complete it's memory checks. I remember changing my BCM firmware many times when I was pioneering the passive entry mod back in 2022. The first time you do it, it's quite unsettling how bizarre the other modules in the truck behave: very similar to you cycling the ignition a bunch of times. I'm really sorry this has happened to you, this is enough to drive someone to drinking sorry I had to make that pun).

I'm also curious how dealers deal with this kind of thing. If a vehicle was in service and needed the BCM updated by FDRS I suspect the same thing would happen. I wonder if ASME service techs have some kind of ethical/legal pass to defeat interlocks while a vehicle is in service? The certainly wouldn't want to put their mouth on that thaaang. Why did I just say that in my head with the Hawk-Tuah accent

?

FDRS and the techs that use it at dealerships have the required permissions to perform the latest BCM update (requires PATS permission in the dealer's server system).

Attempting to use a beta version of FORSCAN to update a module that has security restrictions in place for that same BCM update as a workaround.....

Well...

 

[ZSC100]

I have reprogrammed my 2022 XLT SR EG311a BCM firmware several times when I was pioneering adding passive entry back in 2022. I had one of the first test versions of FORScan they sent me for the Lightnings with MFU functionality. I had zero problems trying Lariat and Platinum Firmware from people with FDRS willing to send it to me while trying to understand how the door handles actually worked with an oscilloscope. My truck would not start/operate with BCM firmware meant to have an RFA module and rightly so after I came to understand how it all worked. For the OP @antho it should be noted that I used the OBD Link-EX which according to my research back in 2022 when I got my truck is the most common/economic dual CAN/speed economic solution known to work 100% with FORScan. It's actually the official one that FORScan recommends.

 

[21st Century Truck]

I have reprogrammed my 2022 XLT SR EG311a BCM firmware several times when I was pioneering adding passive entry back in 2022. I had one of the first test versions of FORScan they sent me for the Lightnings with MFU functionality. I had zero problems trying Lariat and Platinum Firmware from people with FDRS willing to send it to me while trying to understand how the door handles actually worked with an oscilloscope. My truck would not start/operate with BCM firmware meant to have an RFA module and rightly so after I came to understand how it all worked. For the OP @antho it should be noted that I used the OBD Link-EX which according to my research back in 2022 when I got my truck is the most common/economic dual CAN/speed economic solution known to work 100% with FORScan. It's actually the official one that FORScan recommends.

It's hard to go wrong when using the OBDLink EX dongle. It's possible I guess, but the OBDLink EX dongle won't be the cause.

 

[rugedraw]

I have reprogrammed my 2022 XLT SR EG311a BCM firmware several times when I was pioneering adding passive entry back in 2022. I had one of the first test versions of FORScan they sent me for the Lightnings with MFU functionality. I had zero problems trying Lariat and Platinum Firmware from people with FDRS willing to send it to me while trying to understand how the door handles actually worked with an oscilloscope. My truck would not start/operate with BCM firmware meant to have an RFA module and rightly so after I came to understand how it all worked. For the OP @antho it should be noted that I used the OBD Link-EX which according to my research back in 2022 when I got my truck is the most common/economic dual CAN/speed economic solution known to work 100% with FORScan. It's actually the official one that FORScan recommends.

The requirement for dealer or NFTSA credentials to update the BCM is relatively new. It certainly was not the case back in 2022.

 

[Ben21]

@Ben21 I know you're relatively new here and do not know who is who, so some friendly advice from a perfect stranger on the internet: Take Jesse up on his offer.

Noted! Appreciate the advice. I'll have more to share soon. I read through the comments here about how the breathalyzer could be interrupting the software and the possibility that it'll need to be removed to fix it. I reached out to Jesse and have a lead now and much better understanding of the options.

Yesterday evening I said I'd try plugging in the battery a few times to trying waking up the vehicle, and also try activating the breathalyzer while turning it on last night. But, none of that didn't worked to get it to turn on to connect to. This makes some sense since the keyfob won't work anyways (including in the slot, as someone suggested trying).

I tried all the buttons to see what would work.
- Nothing with the power button would work, like holiding it down.
- The brakes works and makes a sound when it is pressed. The only functions that work are partially the central screen radio (reboots with very limited on screen controls like partial audio and partial carplay). The screen is always on, even when it is mostly fully black but backlit.
- I turned on and engaged the parking brake , but now I can't deactivate the parking break.
- The instrument cluster behind the wheel only turns on to show me the status of the parking brake message.
- The frunk light works.
- The shifter does slide into the flat area when it is clicked to fold it hidden.
- Gained an appreciation for the parts that work no matter what (like the emergency frunk release and door locks with the key).

 

[bmwhitetx]

I had to tap out after my post #7 but I did pop some popcorn last night for reading the later posts . I hope you know I'm 'laughing with you", not at you! Can't wait to hear the positive outcome!

 

[ZSC100]

I had to tap out after my post #7 but I did pop some popcorn last night for reading the later posts . I hope you know I'm 'laughing with you", not at you! Can't wait to hear the positive outcome!

Yea, this is quite a doozy,, should be plenty of BCM's available in TX soon though:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1323208725532297

 

[ZSC100]

@Ben21 I know you're relatively new here and do not know who is who, so some friendly advice from a perfect stranger on the internet: Take Jesse up on his offer.

I 2nd this 100%, I wasn't even going to mention Jesse on this one, but somehow I missed his unsolicited post/offer to help, Wow, he is such a rockstar.

The next post I want to see on this thread is Jesse's response on what it took to fix this. And I know he's smart enough to bypass the interlock and then put it back and check it's functionality.

@Ben21, Whatever happened to your BCM plus the fact that you have the interlock thing going on means that most likely no one can remotely fix your issue. You need to buy Jesse a round trip ticket to XNA and agree to pay him whatever is needed to come help you.

Also, Based on his advice perhaps have him bring a new BCM with him.

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