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

[Plutoman15]

You want a power supply, NOT a charger. They are different things.

This is what I ordered on Amazon, and have used successfully:

Power Supply:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPT4TK?

Cables:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KR56VS1

The cables didn't connect to the supply out of the box. I just cut a notch out of the connector so it was more of a "C" shape instead of "O" and attached to the screw terminals. works fine.

Thank you that was helpful. Got them ordered.

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[mkhuffman]

Thank you that was helpful. Got them ordered.

I know you posted you already ordered the power supply, but below is what I ordered:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165213749070

What you ordered is fine for FDRS LVB backup, but I wanted mine for reconditioning the LVB. You can set the voltage to exactly 13.7V, and monitor the current. And you can also use it for FDRS updates if you want. I am not planning to do FDRS updates, not as long as my dealer does them for free, but just in case I can do both.

I did some reconditioning of my LVB a few days ago. I plan to do it every 12 months or so.

 

[smartino]

I know you posted you already ordered the power supply, but below is what I ordered:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165213749070

What you ordered is fine for FDRS LVB backup, but I wanted mine for reconditioning the LVB. You can set the voltage to exactly 13.7V, and monitor the current. And you can also use it for FDRS updates if you want. I am not planning to do FDRS updates, not as long as my dealer does them for free, but just in case I can do both.

I did some reconditioning of my LVB a few days ago. I plan to do it every 12 months or so.

That is what I ordered too. Works great. $20 cheaper on Amazon. Only difference is an analog gauge versus a digital gauge

TekPower TP30SWII 30 Amp DC 13.8V Analog Switching Power Supply with Noise Offset https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00L2M2...t_i_8K4WCCF96PW2ZPBE49SN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ZuleMME]

I plan to order one of these for my next excursion into this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AR0AWN8

$5 cheaper on hamradio.com if you’re a ham. lots more expensive but the 30A really is a little under what i saw the car trying to pull when i did my first round.

 

[mkhuffman]

That is what I ordered too. Works great. $20 cheaper on Amazon. Only difference is an analog gauge versus a digital gauge

TekPower TP30SWII 30 Amp DC 13.8V Analog Switching Power Supply with Noise Offset https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00L2M2...t_i_8K4WCCF96PW2ZPBE49SN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I wanted the digital display which does cost a little more.

 

[Plutoman15]

Does anyone know if the VCMM works with the mache or not? I see a lot of comments that they “have heard” or “think” that is does not work.

does anyone here know from experience?

I ask because that is the type our garage has that we are going to start doing updates either tomorrow or Friday.

 

[Arjan]

First update in my car was succesfull but also a bit stressfull.

I decided to first update the GWM with a USB stick.
So my first USB stick was not recognized at first, so i tried a quicker one and that one worked.
After flashing with USB you actually need to walk away from the car, so the module could get rebooted after flashing.

Offcourse i did nothing like that at first and lost communications with the car, that was a bit stressfull.

First when i decided it was time to grab something to eat and tried again, the module was rebooted and all was fine again.

Available update was removed from my car, i do have lots remaining:
PCM
ABS
SOBDMC
BECM
OBCC
SOBDM
SOBDMB

 

[Eric_C_Boston]

First update in my car was succesfull but also a bit stressfull.

I decided to first update the GWM with a USB stick.
So my first USB stick was not recognized at first, so i tried a quicker one and that one worked.
After flashing with USB you actually need to walk away from the car, so the module could get rebooted after flashing.

Offcourse i did nothing like that at first and lost communications with the car, that was a bit stressfull.

First when i decided it was time to grab something to eat and tried again, the module was rebooted and all was fine again.

I also upgraded the GWM first since it is an important module in updating other modules. I noticed the dialog in FDRS mentions the USB stick needs to have the exFat format. Some older ones are Fat32 so I had to format the one I used.

The instructions were not very clear about the reboot. You have to turn the car off and open the door to power down the car. When the car is powered up again, the software update detection that caused the update the first time runs again. It should detect the updated GWM firmware and do any clean up before displaying the remove message.

 

[Arjan]

I also upgraded the GWM first since it is an important module in updating other modules. I noticed the dialog in FDRS mentions the USB stick needs to have the exFat format. Some older ones are Fat32 so I had to format the one I used.

The instructions were not very clear about the reboot. You have to turn the car off and open the door to power down the car. When the car is powered up again, the software update detection that caused the update the first time runs again. It should detect the updated GWM firmware and do any clean up before displaying the remove message.

Yeah basically i left the car, closed it and returned after 15 minutes. Then it was fine.

 

[Arjan]

So what i discovered is that you can see who updated what and all manual stuff.
See for example this logfile of my car:

I presume that my car was delivered on December 1. The dealer installed some (necessary?) updates. But i love the detail of every single update.

 

[Plutoman15]

Does anyone know if the VCMM works with the mache or not? I see a lot of comments that they “have heard” or “think” that is does not work.

does anyone here know from experience?

I ask because that is the type our garage has that we are going to start doing updates either tomorrow or Friday.

I can now answer my own question... yes the VCMM does work with the MME. Our garage put all updates on my GT except the ABS module kept putting the same old version back on it. It was all done in 2.5 hours.

I have not had a chance to drive it and see if all my glitches are fixed yet.

Thanks to all who gave advice on doing these updates.

 

[mpshizzle]

I can now answer my own question... yes the VCMM does work with the MME. Our garage put all updates on my GT except the ABS module kept putting the same old version back on it. It was all done in 2.5 hours.

I'll update the first post

 

[Plutoman15]

So I have seen comments that paak works better and the doors unlocking. Since I just updated I can’t comment on those yet but those were my biggest complaints.

what other improvements are you all see with the latest updates?

 

[ZuleMME]

I'll update the first post

Now the question remains about the Chinese clone VCMM… Full chips obviously. I debated trying that before I ordered my Mongoose. But logic prevailed.

 

[mpshizzle]

Now the question remains about the Chinese clone VCMM… Full chips obviously. I debated trying that before I ordered my Mongoose. But logic prevailed.

Honestly.... I'd be scared to try, having seen the poor quality components that are put into so many of these Chinese clone devices.

I'm assuming it would work, but with few safety features and protections. Oh wait, hold on.. my crystal ball was starting to fog up... I guess I'll have to save my speculations and future predictions for another day

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