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

[21st Century Pony]

Is there an alternative to the Mongoose reader that works well and is less expensive? Thanks.

If you find one please let us all know.

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[Old_Norm]

If you find one please let us all know.

Well, if one hasn't been identified in 3,976 posts (haven't read them all) then I doubt I'll have much luck.

 

[generaltso]

Is there an alternative to the Mongoose reader that works well and is less expensive? Thanks.

Less expensive? Yes. Works well? No.

 

[kdonnel]

Guys, do I have to be sitting in the car the whole time while the update process is onging? So far I've only done updates that take <20 minutes and I just hung out in the car staring at my laptop, and praying that it doesn't crash in the middle of the update. But at some point I might be brave to attempt the 2+ hour long IPMA update and was wondering if I need to take a nap in my car during that.

Do the windows/doors have to be closed during the whole time?

I had never done one of the really long ones before and like you always sat in the car waiting to push the next button, I sometimes felt like I was part of the tv show Lost.

But last week for updating the IPMA, I left the car and just periodically checked up on the process to make sure that the battery was not having issues and that it looked like it was progressing. I was just careful to not get snagged on the Mongoose cable and pull it from the OBD 2 port.

I have always kept the drivers and passengers windows down as I have to make sure the laptop is plugged in since the battery in it can not be trusted to last much like the 12v in the MME without being plugged in.

 

[Mike G]

Guys, do I have to be sitting in the car the whole time while the update process is onging? So far I've only done updates that take <20 minutes and I just hung out in the car staring at my laptop, and praying that it doesn't crash in the middle of the update. But at some point I might be brave to attempt the 2+ hour long IPMA update and was wondering if I need to take a nap in my car during that.

Do the windows/doors have to be closed during the whole time?

No you don't. If you have a powersupply you're confident will keep the amps flowing you can just roll down the drivers door window and perch the laptop on the center console facing the drivers door and hop out and close the door and then just come back and check the progress every now and again.

Leaving the driver's window down ensures that you'll be able to get back into the car by reaching into the inside door handle....because during programming sometimes the comms are interrupted to modules on the network that aren't getting programmed, and things like the exterior push button doors and the window switches won't work until programming has completed. So that's why you roll the window down before starting an update that's going to take a while (if you plan on hopping out).

 

[Mike G]

.....I was just careful to not get snagged on the Mongoose cable and pull it from the OBD 2 port.

I have always kept the drivers and passengers windows down as I have to make sure the laptop is plugged in since the battery in it can not be trusted to last much like the 12v in the MME without being plugged in.

I loop the Mongoose over the steering wheel binnacle to keep it out of the way so when I get in and out I don't snag it.

And like you I have a separate extension cord for the laptop powersupply so it's always on AC power during the updates (and sleep mode is turned off and it's set to maximum performance, etc, etc.)

 

[21st Century Pony]

No you don't. If you have a powersupply you're confident will keep the amps flowing you can just roll down the drivers door window and perch the laptop on the center console facing the drivers door and hop out and close the door and then just come back and check the progress every now and again.

Leaving the driver's window down ensures that you'll be able to get back into the car by reaching into the inside door handle....because during programming sometimes the comms are interrupted to modules on the network that aren't getting programmed, and things like the exterior push button doors and the window switches won't work until programming has completed. So that's why you roll the window down before starting an update that's going to take a while (if you plan on hopping out).

Just remember when turning the car on for long(er) updates to 1st go into the VEHICLE menu and turn off the "shut down after 30 minutes" function on the very top of that menu screen. Or... the car will indeed shut down during an update, and if you're out and about you might curse the darkness as a result on your return

 

[kdonnel]

I loop the Mongoose over the steering wheel binnacle to keep it out of the way so when I get in and out I don't snag it.

That is a good idea. I will try and remember to do the same next session.

I have a hard enough time remembering to ensure the wipers are not on auto though so I don't have a lot of faith I will remember.

 

[kdonnel]

Just remember when turning the car on for long(er) updates to 1st go into the VEHICLE menu and turn off the "shut down after 30 minutes" function on the very top of that menu screen. Or... the car will indeed shut down during an update, and if you're out and about you might curse the darkness as a result on your return

I don't think that was my experience recently with the IPMA update.

Or if the car did shutdown it did not prevent the IPMA update from finishing.

 

[21st Century Pony]

I don't think that was not my experience recently with the IPMA update.

Or if the car did shutdown it did not prevent the IPMA update from finishing.

BTW I love your Lego Mach E avatar!

 

[kdonnel]

BTW I love your Lego Mach E avatar!

Thanks.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/my-wife-and-kids-got-me-a-lego-mach-e-for-christmas.32884/

 

[LeanneL]

After 3,974 posts I've decide to join the MME FDRS fraternity. I'm starting to wonder about Forsan and the Russian connection. And they don't have reliable profiles for the Maverick. Would you mind telling me what adapter you bought? Is there an alternative to the Mongoose reader that works well and is less expensive? Thanks.

I got the Mongoose, pricy but works!

 

[BigMach-E]

Just wanted to give @Mike G a shout out. Dude is super knowledgeable. Car is fully up to date. This was my second time updating my car, man, this isn’t for the faint of heart. Maybe it’s just psychological, but after the BCM updates, the steering geometry, body roll, suspension and maybe even the throttle mapping seem improved.

 

[rugedraw]

Just remember when turning the car on for long(er) updates to 1st go into the VEHICLE menu and turn off the "shut down after 30 minutes" function on the very top of that menu screen. Or... the car will indeed shut down during an update, and if you're out and about you might curse the darkness as a result on your return

@spicy_taco To add to this, remember to set your laptop to never time-out, too.

 

[737flyer]

I updated 6 files yesterday with FDRS. Non of the strategy numbers changed in Forscan. I’m a little confused.

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