Lightning Software Updates using FDRS

[bmwhitetx]

I think y'all are confusing OTA updates with modules updates that are almost always present in FDRS. It looks like @Kansan is showing FDRS.

FDRS module updates do sometimes become OTA.

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[Kansan]

Several updates for the Lightnings have appeared on Sundays. The now infamous ACM and RFA updates, that won't go away for some people, came out together one Sunday.

Interesting - thank you for the insight.

I tried to install the CMR and FHCM updates today, but didn't get very far. I updated FDRS to 44.4.4 and it seems to be working fine. When I got to the step to download the update, the indicator for connection to Ford would turn from green to red and the downloads would time out. Tried it a few times and gave up for now. I hope it's just a server issue. Is there something else to try?

 

[Robob]

Make sure when you updated FDRS you checked the cleared all user data when installing. either way make sure Wi-Fi has strong signal and internet works, then when icon goes red in FDRS you can click it to re-connect, if it does not close FDRS reboot and re-login.
The downloads sometimes fail a few times for me as well when downloading that seems normal

 

[Kansan]

Make sure when you updated FDRS you checked the cleared all user data when installing. either way make sure Wi-Fi has strong signal and internet works, then when icon goes red in FDRS you can click it to re-connect, if it does not close FDRS reboot and re-login.
The downloads sometimes fail a few times for me as well when downloading that seems normal

Thanks. I did clear all user data.

I’m planning to try again this evening.

Update - It took a couple of tries to download the application for the CMR, but it eventually worked. The FHCM update was very quick and easy.

 

[Mike G]

Almost a month ago, my laptop crashed due to an issue with my SSD. I then went on a planned trip to visit relatives and didn't get back until about a week after 44.4.4 was released. When I got back I had to completely reinstall Windows 10 using the Dell Recovery image, and then put everything back, and install the VCI 1.18 and FDRS 44.4.4....and then couldn't log in. "Authentication Failure". The network check passed everything except the "Login Server Connection". That was always a FAIL.

After trying everything I knew to check, I called the helpdesk the next morning and talked to 'Ben' (it's always Ben, I think he's the only one who is assigned to the Independent Operator helpdesk), and he simply had me reinstall 44.4.4 over the top of the previous installation.....no changes, just accept all default settings.

I did that, and it immediately let me log in! While Ben was still on the phone I asked him what the deal was and why it had failed the first time...without saying a lot, he basically indicated that this was something they knew about, and all it takes is reinstalling again to fix it.

So keep that in mind....

 

[Mike G]

A complete CMR update using FDRS and a Mongoose (or equivalent) should take about 50-60 minutes total. The last three times I did it were all roughly 52 minutes long.

 

[Kansan]

A complete CMR update using FDRS and a Mongoose (or equivalent) should take about 50-60 minutes total. The last three times I did it were all roughly 52 minutes long.

Interesting. Once the files downloaded, this CMR update only took a few minutes.

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

When attempting to update GWM, after plugging the USB into the vehicle's USB port, I receive the Software updating...message below.

A few minutes later, the screen updates to the Turn Vehicle off and wait 10 minutes message below:

After waiting 10 minutes, I turn the vehicle on and the same Turn Vehicle off and wait 10 minutes message appears.

Do I CLOSE the message, turn the vehicle off and wait 10 minutes more before turning on again, or something else?

 

[astrand1]

Did you perform the "clear all errors" (or something like that) step between each module update?

I forget exactly what it's called, and it has been a while since I've done updates, but I seem to remember there is a step that you have to perform in between each module update to clear errors.

Normally fdrs does this automatically when it finishes.

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

When attempting to update GWM, after plugging the USB into the vehicle's USB port, I receive the Software updating...message below.

A few minutes later, the screen updates to the Turn Vehicle off and wait 10 minutes message below:

After waiting 10 minutes, I turn the vehicle on and the same Turn Vehicle off and wait 10 minutes message appears.

Do I CLOSE the message, turn the vehicle off and wait 10 minutes more before turning on again, or something else?

In an attempt to save power, I had turned off the vehicle entertainment system. Once I turned it on, was good to go.

 

[Mike G]

In an attempt to save power, I had turned off the vehicle entertainment system. Once I turned it on, was good to go.

USB updates are all processed with the vehicle fully on...so there's no need to try and conserve power by shutting things off.

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

I picked my new 2023 Lariat SR at the dealer on April 9, 2025 at a SUBSTANTIAL discount off MSRP.
Shortly after taking possession and reading some of the many threads in these forums, I became aware that my vehicle didn't have all the technological advances that others seemed to have, such as:

• Remaining battery percentage on dash
• Apple Maps EV integration
• Karaoke app

I set my Software Updates to take place at 1:00am on any day, but after a month, no updates occurred.

I sent a PM to @rugedraw with my VIN and he replied:

The last OTA you got was on 4/3 and it was OTA 4.2.1.2 which is VERY old. That OTA was first reported in March of 2023, so this truck is very behind in updates. As far behind as you are, I would recommend you look into FDRS and updating it yourself.

So, I read the entire 103 pages of this thread before I decided to purchase:

1. Mongoose-Plus J2534
2. Powermax 75amp charger
3. Buffalo 500GB External SSD with USB

On Saturday, May 17, I downloaded and installed the Mongoose and FDRS software on my Windows laptop. I purchased a 2-day FDRS license and went to work updating my Lightning.

After what seemed like 24 hours sitting in my truck running 30+ updates, only the BCM remains to be updated.

Thank you to all for sharing your FDRS knowledge, especially @rugedraw .

I even went as far as to modify my truck with FORScan to enable Glare-Free Headlights and 50/50 Side Camera View.

 

[majorgearhead]

I picked my new 2023 Lariat SR at the dealer on April 9, 2025 at a SUBSTANTIAL discount off MSRP.
Shortly after taking possession and reading some of the many threads in these forums, I became aware that my vehicle didn't have all the technological advances that others seemed to have, such as:

• Remaining battery percentage on dash
• Apple Maps EV integration
• Karaoke app

I set my Software Updates to take place at 1:00am on any day, but after a month, no updates occurred.

I sent a PM to @rugedraw with my VIN and he replied:


So, I read the entire 103 pages of this thread before I decided to purchase:

1. Mongoose-Plus J2534
2. Powermax 75amp charger
3. Buffalo 500GB External SSD with USB

On Saturday, May 17, I downloaded and installed the Mongoose and FDRS software on my Windows laptop. I purchased a 2-day FDRS license and went to work updating my Lightning.

After what seemed like 24 hours sitting in my truck running 30+ updates, only the BCM remains to be updated.

Thank you to all for sharing your FDRS knowledge, especially @rugedraw .

I even went as far as to modify my truck with FORScan to enable Glare-Free Headlights and 50/50 Side Camera View.

This is the way. Many of us have interacted with @rugedraw and a handful of others who have helped us to really get our moneys worth with this truck. Between FDRS and Forscan I have made my truck nearly perfect minus the bugs that Ford has to fix.

 

[GDN]

I picked my new 2023 Lariat SR at the dealer on April 9, 2025 at a SUBSTANTIAL discount off MSRP.
Shortly after taking possession and reading some of the many threads in these forums, I became aware that my vehicle didn't have all the technological advances that others seemed to have, such as:

• Remaining battery percentage on dash
• Apple Maps EV integration
• Karaoke app

I set my Software Updates to take place at 1:00am on any day, but after a month, no updates occurred.

I sent a PM to @rugedraw with my VIN and he replied:


So, I read the entire 103 pages of this thread before I decided to purchase:

1. Mongoose-Plus J2534
2. Powermax 75amp charger
3. Buffalo 500GB External SSD with USB

On Saturday, May 17, I downloaded and installed the Mongoose and FDRS software on my Windows laptop. I purchased a 2-day FDRS license and went to work updating my Lightning.

After what seemed like 24 hours sitting in my truck running 30+ updates, only the BCM remains to be updated.

Thank you to all for sharing your FDRS knowledge, especially @rugedraw .

I even went as far as to modify my truck with FORScan to enable Glare-Free Headlights and 50/50 Side Camera View.

Welcome to the dark side. So this was a new truck that had been sitting for 1.5 to 2 years? It hadn't been activated as a loaner or demo? You may have personal reasons, but if you don't mind go ahead and tell us how much they lost on that truck for sitting that long. It just makes more of us that paid $80K to $100K a bit more jealous of the deal.

 

[rugedraw]

I picked my new 2023 Lariat SR at the dealer on April 9, 2025 at a SUBSTANTIAL discount off MSRP.
Shortly after taking possession and reading some of the many threads in these forums, I became aware that my vehicle didn't have all the technological advances that others seemed to have, such as:

• Remaining battery percentage on dash
• Apple Maps EV integration
• Karaoke app

I set my Software Updates to take place at 1:00am on any day, but after a month, no updates occurred.

I sent a PM to @rugedraw with my VIN and he replied:


So, I read the entire 103 pages of this thread before I decided to purchase:

1. Mongoose-Plus J2534
2. Powermax 75amp charger
3. Buffalo 500GB External SSD with USB

On Saturday, May 17, I downloaded and installed the Mongoose and FDRS software on my Windows laptop. I purchased a 2-day FDRS license and went to work updating my Lightning.

After what seemed like 24 hours sitting in my truck running 30+ updates, only the BCM remains to be updated.

Thank you to all for sharing your FDRS knowledge, especially @rugedraw .

I even went as far as to modify my truck with FORScan to enable Glare-Free Headlights and 50/50 Side Camera View.

I would like to say kudos to you for taking my advice and taking matters into your own hands. The vast majority of people do not. Whether it is due to the expense of the equipment, fear of messing something up or both, most people do not do what you did. When I first bought my truck, I was b*itching and complaining on the forums about everything I was missing, and how the dealers don't know or can't help, and Ford's OTA process is garbage and blah blah blah. It only took you a few weeks of ownership to realize that when a vehicle falls behind, there is only one way to do it and that is to do it yourself. So again, kudos to you for trusting a perfect stranger on the internet and taking the plunge. Enjoy the truck you paid for.

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