PSA - DO NOT UPDATE to 3.35.0 on Android if using PaaK without a FOB

[MachEPilot]

I have a Pixel 6 w/Android 12, and FP 3.35.0.
My wife was driving the car, got a flat tire.
I drove out to let her take my car, while I waited for the tow truck.
PaaK worked to get the car onto the tow truck, but would not work to get it off.
Our Mach-E was stuck on tow truck's bed.
Was panicking and trying everything.
Finally, force stopping the app, then opening it, got it to start.
Called my wife to bring the FOB for the tire store to use.

Associated problem, without a spare, and they did not have tires "in-stock", two days out.
You can't even take the car home, and they didn't have a old or new spare on hand that would work. Will be keeping one of the tires, at home for emergencies like this.

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[Eraser]

This ^^^

This is absolutely the main issue here. Ford needs to get a 2nd FOB to every single owner that only has one (and reimburse owners, and dealers, that paid for a 2nd one) AND then ensure that they are using their best resources to not screw the pooch with every other update, as they've been doing lately. I think they also need to break apart the EV vehicles to a whole separate bank of servers, i.e. like with MyFordMobile. They seem to take the issue of screwing up our vehicles way, way too lightly.

This is why I have my FordPass on MANUAL UPDATE only.

I don't use Apple products to speak to this first hand but the FP app feels strangely reminiscent of iTunes. I remember having to help people with issues with that app back in the day. I always thought to myself, WTH is up with this bloated piece of crap that has music, movies, podcasts, apps, and the kitchen sink. The FP app feels similar that it has bolted on parts from different products that don't match up.

If they aren't working on it already Ford should be creating a new app from the ground up specifically for EV's. I highly doubt the customer base for an F-150 Lighting will be tolerant of the things we MME owners have.

 

[alexgorod]

As a software developer I can say with some authority that software doesn't "just break".

Of course it doesn't "just break" - the whole team of developers works on it In an attempt to fix a couple of relatively small issues something totally different and much more important gets broken.
Still I don't see how the phone app version wipes off backup code functionality that is supposed to be totally car-centric.

 

[RickMachE]

I don't use Apple products to speak to this first hand but the FP app feels strangely reminiscent iTunes. I remember having to help people with issues with that app back in the day. I always thought to myself, WTH is up with this bloated piece of crap that has music, movies, podcasts, apps, and the kitchen sink. The FP app feels similar that it has bolted on parts from different products that don't match up.

If they aren't working on it already Ford should be creating a new app from the ground up specifically for EV's. I highly doubt the customer base for an F-150 Lighting will be tolerant of the things we MME owners have.

It already existed. MyFordMobile supports Ford's PHEV vehicles. All they had to do was work with that.

 

[alexgorod]

PaaK worked to get the car onto the tow truck, but would not work to get it off.

What about backup code?

 

[DevSecOps]

What about passcode?

That was part of the problem. The passcode screen wouldn't appear either.

 

[Eraser]

Of course it doesn't "just break" - the whole team of developers works on it In an attempt to fix a couple of relatively small issues something totally different and much more important gets broken.
Still I don't see how the phone app version wipes off backup code functionality that is supposed to be totally car-centric.

I've had my backup code get wipe several months ago. Luckily I was home when that happened and could quickly fix the problem. In this case to have the backup passcode screen not even show up must just be a coincidence. Alternatively there could be some handshake issue between the car and the phone that broke with the FP update. As a result the software in the car is hung and can't trigger the backup passcode screen. I thought I read something about resetting the car by disconnecting the 12V battery somewhere. I wonder if that might make a difference over just rebooting Sync.

 

[alexgorod]

That was part of the problem. The passcode screen wouldn't appear either.

I don't see it in @MachEPilot's post and wanted to confirm. I'm pretty sure that he would try to use it when PAAK didn't work.

 

[alexgorod]

I've had my backup code get wipe several months ago.

How did you find it out?

As a result the software in the car is hung and can't trigger the backup passcode screen.

It makes sense.
Maybe a longer wait that will send the car to sleep and the following attempt to start it with the code, with the phone turned off, can bypass that state and show the code screen.

 

[connoisseurr]

I don't use Apple products to speak to this first hand but the FP app feels strangely reminiscent of iTunes. I remember having to help people with issues with that app back in the day. I always thought to myself, WTH is up with this bloated piece of crap that has music, movies, podcasts, apps, and the kitchen sink. The FP app feels similar that it has bolted on parts from different products that don't match up.

If they aren't working on it already Ford should be creating a new app from the ground up specifically for EV's. I highly doubt the customer base for an F-150 Lighting will be tolerant of the things we MME owners have.

Someone on this forum claimed to have been involved with a focus group with Ford's new ownership or EV app. We'll see what's in store...

 

[Eraser]

How did you find it out?

This happened many versions ago of the FP app when I was having regular problems with it actually working. When it didn't work to get in or start the car I tried my password and it didn't take. I save my password in LastPass so there was zero chance of me forgetting it, but it never worked. I had to delete my device and start over.

 

[ARK]

My thought with PaaK vs fob is that, I will take the fob with me when I am going somewhere where it would be too inconvenient to get back home to get the fob in the very unlikely event something like this happened.

Hope no one was on a road trip a thousand miles from home...

 

[SnBGC]

Sounds like a good test, thank you!

Another thing I will try is the batteryless fob. I have three fobs. I will take tha battery out of one and hide it somewhere. I think even a fob with a dead battery will start the car if inserted in the console holder spot. Never actually tried that though.....now I am curious

 

[SnBGC]

I don't use Apple products to speak to this first hand but the FP app feels strangely reminiscent of iTunes. I remember having to help people with issues with that app back in the day. I always thought to myself, WTH is up with this bloated piece of crap that has music, movies, podcasts, apps, and the kitchen sink. The FP app feels similar that it has bolted on parts from different products that don't match up.

If they aren't working on it already Ford should be creating a new app from the ground up specifically for EV's. I highly doubt the customer base for an F-150 Lighting will be tolerant of the things we MME owners have.

Agreed. In fact, at the fleet preview event for the Lightning the most common concern was if Ford was going to force us to use PaaK. They said that we actually get 4 fobs per truck. That seemed to satisfy most of us for the time being.

 

[Eraser]

Agreed. In fact, at the fleet preview event for the Lightning the most common concern was if Ford was going to force us to use PaaK. They said that we actually get 4 fobs per truck. That seemed to satisfy most of us for the time being.

4 FOBS . Wow, I can't even get a 2nd one. It makes sense though, they really can't be messing around with nailing the experience with the F-150 Lighting. People use those for not only getting to work, but doing work. Hopefully what they learn from us early adopters will help them get it right, and in turn we'll benefit as well (eventually).

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