Lightning Software Updates using FDRS

[bmwhitetx]

Yeah that was the idea. But I had to actually go out there and tell it to "Update Now" to get things started. I thought it might connect to the mothership while it was in climate mode...but I guess not.

I think the whole idea with Update Schedule is the truck has to be off for certain updates. That’s why the default is 1:00 am.

Ford explains it here (see Step 2).

Other OTAs can install anytime and don’t observe the Update Schedule. See Step 1 above. I’ve had many of these download and install while driving.

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[rugedraw]

Yeah that was the idea. But I had to actually go out there and tell it to "Update Now" to get things started. I thought it might connect to the mothership while it was in climate mode...but I guess not.

Yea, remote start won't work. Ignition has to be on for the vehicle to accept the OTA trigger.

 

[astrand1]

Yeah that was the idea. But I had to actually go out there and tell it to "Update Now" to get things started. I thought it might connect to the mothership while it was in climate mode...but I guess not.

So did you in fact get the new APIM uodate?

 

[Mike G]

So did you in fact get the new APIM uodate?

It was that weird one that didn’t really change anything that was noticeable. Like it was all background stuff.

 

[astrand1]

It was that weird one that didn’t really change anything that was noticeable. Like it was all background stuff.

Oh copy. Yeah I got the same one. I’m assuming you’re talking about the “hard drive” enhancement for xm radio or whatever. I just completed a cross country trip and it sure would have been nice for the SC to be in the native navigation. So stupid that it’s taking this long for that update.

 

[Kansan]

He had to enter a pin....? I wonder what that was about? I still have that ACM update in my list. I just ignore it now. But on the other hand my truck does not have an outstanding recall for the ACM module anyway (24U14). Just a ACM module in my list of available software that won't go away.

I had mobile service come out twice this week, once for my Lightning updates and once for my 23 Lariat 5.0. Both have had the persistent ACM update that won’t clear. The Lightning had an ACM recall and the 5.0 didn’t have an ACM recall.

I stood and talked to the guys that did the updates. On the recalls - ACM, trailer module and parking pawl there was a validation process at the end of the update where the tech had to copy some data from the recall description in FDRS and upload it. I saw them do 4 recall updates and one of the guys briefly explained but I didn’t watch close enough to be able to repeat it myself.

The ACM update that had an associated recall cleared from the update list. The ACM update without a recall did not clear for the dealer tech either.

 

[bmwhitetx]

On the recalls - ACM, trailer module and parking pawl there was a validation process at the end of the update where the tech had to copy some data from the recall description in FDRS and upload it

My dealer mentioned the same thing about validation they had to send in. Said it could take a month for recall to clear from my account.

Seems to me FDRS knows what software was successfully installed and that should be Ford’s validation source. Can understand dealer frustration with Ford at times.

 

[Mike G]

FDRS does update the cloud server when an update is performed. The tech likely ran the verification after doing the updates and copied the code it provided into the verification form in PTS.

It doesn't take a month. It takes seconds to clear the recall...what makes the process take longer on some recalls is if the dealer's warranty service person takes a while to enter the info or if for some reason additional info is required (like picture verification in the case of the lightbar) to process the verification.

 

[Mike G]

Came across this today:

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

Came across this today:

Similar to the message I got when I asked about getting the update to activate Walk Away Locks.

 

[Mike G]

Similar to the message I got when I asked about getting the update to activate Walk Away Locks.

Well that's not actually the problem with WAL programming right now....the actual problem (aside from the fact that your dealership doesn't want to do the update for free) is the fact that the ability to perform a BCM software update (or PMI) has been removed from the FDRS tool the techs use because of concerns that it could end up bricking the BCM module. They are doing testing and will turn the ability back on in FDRS (by model year) when it's once again safe to perform updates or PMIs. And if they can't do an update using the FDRS tool, they won't even attempt to send your truck an update via OTA, since that's even riskier.

 

[Mike G]

Similar to the message I got when I asked about getting the update to activate Walk Away Locks.

...and your sig says you have a '23 model? You should already have had WAL. Only early build '22 models (like up to June of 2022) needed the BCM and APIM update to enable WAL. I'm wondering where things went wrong on your truck. It's possible that the BCM has the correct software but the WAL button to turn it on and off isn't showing up in your Sync screen (that's the APIM update part of the equation). If that's the case it would take about 5 minutes with FORScan to turn that on...it's even listed in the 'easy mode' menu and doesn't require you to do any 'hex' editing.

 

[PJnc284]

...and your sig says you have a '23 model? You should already have had WAL. Only early build '22 models (like up to June of 2022) needed the BCM and APIM update to enable WAL. I'm wondering where things went wrong on your truck. It's possible that the BCM has the correct software but the WAL button to turn it on and off isn't showing up in your Sync screen (that's the APIM update part of the equation). If that's the case it would take about 5 minutes with FORScan to turn that on...it's even listed in the 'easy mode' menu and doesn't require you to do any 'hex' editing.

23s needed the bcm update as well. Got the dealer to update mine while in for the battery sensor replacement a while back. 24+ came with it from the factory.

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

It's possible that the BCM has the correct software but the WAL button to turn it on and off isn't showing up in your Sync screen (that's the APIM update part of the equation). If that's the case it would take about 5 minutes with FORScan to turn that on...

Actually, it is the opposite. I added the WAL toggle via FORScan but haven't got the BCM update. I updated my '23 truck in May 2025 via FDRS, but wasn't able to update the BCM due to the password required.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Actually, it is the opposite. I added the WAL toggle via FORScan but haven't got the BCM update. I updated my '23 truck in May 2025 via FDRS, but wasn't able to update the BCM due to the password required.

FYI I've had success with these locked BCM issues by going to my good local dealer and asking for the BCM dealer update (just the BCM) because I can't perform it myself anymore, and that it therefore falls under warranty action. When put that way, the Service people do the BMS update for me for free and absorb the usual 20 minute time cost (when using their fast VMS dongle).

Good Luck!

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