ECU module programming guide using FDRS

[UNIKRN150]

USB Update Procedure:

Certain modules need to be updated via USB flash drive. This is especially true for GWM, APIM and TCU update. FDRS tool will prompt you to insert a blank USB flash drive into your PC. Make sure the drive is formatted to exFAT. The tool will copy all necessary files onto the flash drive, once done, you will be prompted to insert it into your truck's USB hub under the HVAC controls. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. It may take a while for the update process to show up on your SYNC screen, so be patient. FDRS will instruct you to have your engine on, while the your truck copies the update files from flash drive. I found this not necessary if your truck is connected to an external power source (battery charger/maintainer). Once done, you will see a Restart Required prompt on your SYNC screen. At this point turn ignition OFF and open the driver door. DO NOT REMOVE THE FLASH DRIVE. Wait at least 10 minutes, close the driver door and turn ignition ON. You should shortly get a message Update Successful and you can remove the USB flash drive at this point. Follow the instructions in FDRS to finish the update process.


APPENDIX I:

Certain updates (such as PowerUp 2.3.0 OTA equivalent) would require to wait up to 30 minutes before powering the truck back on after Restart Required message is shown on SYNC screen

APPENDIX II:

If you updated the DDM/PDM modules, you need to run the 'Power Door Window Initialization' for both modules. This can be found in each of the module task window (on the right hand side) in FDRS. This is needed for your windows auto open/close to work

APPENDIX III:

Your truck may exhibit a Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable message after module programming
has been completed. This may be due to a network interruption from programming or configuring modules, which can cause steering center find to be reset. When the steering center find is reset, this causes various features to become disabled. The steering center find can be relearned by driving the vehicle approximately 5 minutes above 18 mph (30 km/h) straight ahead on a flat surface with no steering inputs for a few seconds. When Steering center is found the Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable message will go away.

APPENDING IV:

There seems to be a bug in the VCX Nano interface, where module status report gets corrupted and erroneously reported to Ford cloud during the "Network Scan" initiated from the FDRS tool. "Network Scan" functionality in the FDRS tool should be completely avoided when VCX Nano device is used. Read for more details here and here. More technical info regarding the As-Built data set corruption can be found here.

If your truck is already affected by this bug (you will notice loss of Horn & Lights, SecuriAlert and OTA in your FordPass), here are the instructions how to fix it.

APPENDING V:

There seems to be an issue with the VCX Nano interface when updating certain modules over CAN FD bus that can result in bricked module. This is especially true for the CCM module. To recover a bricked module, re-attempt the module SW update procedure using the preferred Mongoose-Plus (or official Ford VCMII or VCM3) interface

I'm sure it's already covered somewhere in the 150 pages of this thread but...

"WHY"?

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[Snakebitten]

That's a big "Why"
Why what?

 

[Platinum Peasant]

The best advice is get a newer laptop as you mentioned you plan to do. I had this happen with my older laptop for the IPC and GWM and the best I could figure in my case was the newer faster laptop with a better wifi card in it was my issue. In fact, I don't recommend anyone doing updating without a mongoose (run the three tests), newer fast laptop, great wifi signal, and 13 plus volts holding strong. Anything less than this and you are asking for issues to develop. Then again issues seemed to happen even with this, just seems the best chances are meeting these things. I am not one of the experts here but everything went smooth for me after making sure to follow these steps.

Basically hold tight until you get the better laptop

I actually book marked your post (page 54 I think) and forgot to ask you directly, did you have this same issue? You didn’t mention specifics but it sounds like a similar thing to mine. Thanks in advance.

 

[christophers]

i ran the test routines at the beginning of the evening (yeah, long day with all the modules on this baby haha). CCM and PSCM show healthy on network scan. i think there may be a mandatory order as SOBDM C took an update, and then pushed a bunch more through.

so it seems it was an "order of operation" issue. i had to do things in a specific order, and it seems that some modules that have prerequisites would not proceed without those prereqs being met. oh well, all is well.

 

[Jaug]

I actually book marked your post (page 54 I think) and forgot to ask you directly, did you have this same issue? You didn’t mention specifics but it sounds like a similar thing to mine. Thanks in advance.

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.

 

[Shoebox72069]

I was hoping to wrap up after my APIM update. Sync is showing 21281 with a rev of 244.

However after I said it updated successfully some of the post checks failed AGAIN. Not sure why. Again prompted with two options. Top failed but the bottom one seems to perpetually reconfigure. As soon as it finishes it keeps going but it doesn't look like its changing anything.

I'm trying to decide if what I'm doing is wrong or of the Nano has more inconsistencies. It seems to mostly work just fine with all the success folks have had here. Drives be bonkers that I seem to struggle through the tail end of some of these updates...

 

[rpeterslll]

Shutting truck down. Restarting it. Inserting USB.
Watching for recognition of USB, then indexing, then fingers crossed for "updating system". (Which you can click on with your finger and watch the file writing progress on Sync screen)

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.

 

[Platinum Peasant]

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.

Dude, THANK YOU! I’m in the process of borrowing a more newer and powerful laptop to get past this. I appreciate the response and help!!

 

[christophers]

I was hoping to wrap up after my APIM update. Sync is showing 21281 with a rev of 244.

However after I said it updated successfully some of the post checks failed AGAIN. Not sure why. Again prompted with two options. Top failed but the bottom one seems to perpetually reconfigure. As soon as it finishes it keeps going but it doesn't look like its changing anything.

I'm trying to decide if what I'm doing is wrong or of the Nano has more inconsistencies. It seems to mostly work just fine with all the success folks have had here. Drives be bonkers that I seem to struggle through the tail end of some of these updates...

had this issue a few times. usually this happens either 1) if you haven't let it hang long enough before restarting (leave it off, lock the doors, walk away, etc.) or 2) if SYNC hasn't told you to remove the USB yet

 

[Jaug]

Dude, THANK YOU! I’m in the process of borrowing a more newer and powerful laptop to get past this. I appreciate the response and help!!

Make sure that your Wifi is strong also. I had to use the 2.4ghz signal since it was a stronger signal in my garage.

 

[Platinum Peasant]

Make sure that your Wifi is strong also. I had to use the 2.4ghz signal since it was a stronger signal in my garage.

My wifi isn’t gonna rock anyones world, it’s 100mbps. But connection is strong. I’m suspecting more and more the laptop is to blame for these issues.

 

[Platinum Peasant]

Also, I think I am the only one on this thread who can claim physical injury from updating these modules. I pulled my right hamstring somehow getting in and out of the truck so much ?? might buy a LifeAlert bracelet soon to have handy while updating.

 

[Shoebox72069]

had this issue a few times. usually this happens either 1) if you haven't let it hang long enough before restarting (leave it off, lock the doors, walk away, etc.) or 2) if SYNC hasn't told you to remove the USB yet

Maybe I didn't let it sit but I sure felt like it did. It certainly told me to remove the USB drive.

Everything is green except my IPC. U2100 so I performed a PMI saying I changed the module, no change.

Still thinks I have an APIM update out there, but a TCU update did pop in. Kinda sorta slow progress I guess.

 

[Jaug]

My wifi isn’t gonna rock anyones world, it’s 100mbps. But connection is strong. I’m suspecting more and more the laptop is to blame for these issues.

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.

 

[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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