The Complete DIY Guide to Updating Your Mach-E with FDRS

[Mike G]

Yes.

Hello!

Is anyone aware if SSM 53966 is still in place or not? (the one that prevents older APIM from being updated)?

Yes, still active.

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[Mike G]

FDRS Subscription news.....

So I don't have to re-post here.

 

[DeusEx]

Is having access to the other tools worth this increase when all I want to do is software updates? Guess I'll have to suck it up?

• 365-day subscription: $1200/year
• 30-day subscription: $300/30-days
• 2-day subscription: $120/2-days

 

[rugedraw]

Is having access to the other tools worth this increase when all I want to do is software updates? Guess I'll have to suck it up?

• 365-day subscription: $1200/year
• 30-day subscription: $300/30-days
• 2-day subscription: $120/2-days

For a shop that works on older vehicles, yes. It's the DIYer that got screwed.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

I'll remove "I can easily and affordably do my own updates" as a reason to consider another Ford vehicle in the future. Way to stick it to your enthusiasts, FoMoCo.

 

[Z Dog]

I case anyone else finds it difficult to find where to get FDRS subscription now.

They also have a Ford DiagNow thing….needs subscription and $500 tool to do same thing Car Scanner Does

 

[kdonnel]

At $120 for a 2 day license I will probably switch to doing updates just twice a year.

The updates seem to be coming really slowly at this point anyways for my 22. Just minor tweaks at this point and no new features likely coming.

 

[Mike G]

FDRS updated yesterday afternoon (I saw it this morning) to 46.5.4...and we're back to having just one version for both subscription (new method) and legacy (20 digit license code) versions.

You'll get asked during the setup which method you want to use to log in. If you're one of the folks who does the two-day runs every now and again, the next time you buy a subscription you'll be using the newer method to login that's based on your Motorcraft login credentials instead of a license code, so when you do the setup make sure you choose that method during setup.
Here's the link to the download for this version: FDRS_46.5.4

Also, as a reminder, since this is a major revision (45.x to 46.x) make sure you tick the box to "Remove User Data" during setup to avoid any issues with previously downloaded vehicle data possibly being displayed incorrectly when using the new version.

 

[Mike G]

And...I've just gotten my account blocked again....for "unusual activity".... like right after I did the upgrade.

 

[markboris]

And...I've just gotten my account blocked again....for "unusual activity".... like right after I did the upgrade.

What do you do when this happens? How many times has it happened? I use my account to update MANY Mach-E's and Lightning's and hopefully that doesn't send any red flags. On my fourth year subscription with FDRS.

 

[rugedraw]

What do you do when this happens? How many times has it happened? I use my account to update MANY Mach-E's and Lightning's and hopefully that doesn't send any red flags. On my fourth year subscription with FDRS.

We don't know for sure. From my understanding, the new cybersecurity Ford is using is AI based and it will flag your account if it suspects anything "suspicious" (whatever that means).

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Wasn’t there an issue at one time with people checking VINs outside of their area that led to locked accounts? Like checking EU cars? Are we talking well beyond that now? It’s been over a year since I’ve had an FDRS subscription so this is mostly curiosity for me.

 

[rugedraw]

Wasn’t there an issue at one time with people checking VINs outside of their area that led to locked accounts? Like checking EU cars? Are we talking well beyond that now? It’s been over a year since I’ve had an FDRS subscription so this is mostly curiosity for me.

Yes, it is beyond that now. We don't know what the triggers are, and it only seems to be getting worse with every new FDRS release. I also know that non-dealer logins have more triggers than dealer accounts, too. Without getting into unnecessary details, there are certain things that if attempted with FDRS without a dealer login, you will get auto-banned before you have a chance to blink an eye.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Yes, it is beyond that now. We don't know what the triggers are, and it only seems to be getting worse with every new FDRS release. I also know that non-dealer logins have more triggers than dealer accounts, too. Without getting into unnecessary details, there are certain things that if attempted with FDRS without a dealer login, you will get auto-banned before you have a chance to blink an eye.

I’ll drop a neighbor a note and see if he has any insights on this. He’s the GM for a 5 store independent shop chain and they maintain an FDRS account (Or accounts?). He’s the one that updated my Mach-e at my house the last time I did it. Having FDRS lock them out isn’t an option, so maybe he knows a bit more. Gives me an excuse to chat with him about his pending Lucid order anyway.

 

[Mike G]

What do you do when this happens? How many times has it happened? I use my account to update MANY Mach-E's and Lightning's and hopefully that doesn't send any red flags. On my fourth year subscription with FDRS.

When this happens, I go to this page and select "Request Other Help" and fill out the form that shows up after you click the button. Then you have to wait for a response from "Ts, P (P.)" <[email protected]> They don't share their name, I suppose there could be multiple people behind this email account, although I could be wrong, could be just one person. They will tell you what got you blocked/locked out and what you have to do to fix it. I've been locked out three times now...and this is the first time it's been for my software being "compromised"....I was told to uninstall FDRS and VCI manager, delete the Ford Motor Company folder and then reinstall, and let them know when I'd done that. Well, I did all that and am now waiting on them to enable my login again.

So to be clear...if you're having a problem with the FDRS program not doing what you expected...there's a different helpdesk for that....you would go to the same page link I provided above and select the "Request Diagnostic Software Help" and you'll get an email, likely from a guy named "Ben" who works for Bosch. Apparently they are the technical support provider.

Having your account locked out is not a Ben/Bosch thing....that's more in the user accounts/Active Directory area...so it's a separate form.

Note that if this ever happens to you the first thing that will likely happen is you will get an email that looks like this:

Calling that phone number will ensure at least two hours of frustration as it goes to a central call center that is setup to deal with owner accounts and Ford financing and when you tell them you've been locked out of FDRS they will have no idea what you're talking about. And you'll get transferred to six different people and then back to the same place you started, and have to explain everything all over again. This is part of the charm of the process and why the first couple of times I got locked out it took a week to get fixed......Ford purgatory.

Don't Call This Number if your FDRS account got locked. Use the form on the Motorcraft website instead. It goes to exactly the person you need help from.

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