The Complete DIY Guide to Updating Your Mach-E with FDRS (Alternative to Forscan)

[Eric_C_Boston]

I ordered a returned Schumacher 100A battery charger/reprogrammer on Tuesday and it was delivered one day late on Friday. Amazon dropped it off in the very visible front of the house instead of following the delivery instructions and dropping it around back.

So late this morning I hooked up the charger, plugged the laptop into a outdoor outlet, and started to update the modules.

I decided to do TSB 21-2245 first as I had a couple of DTCs mentioned. I followed the procedure in the TSB and FDRS. FDRS gives good feedback on what it going on. Being a embedded software developer I know what messages like Block Erase means, the flash is erased before the new firmware is written. The PCM was programmed successfully.

I went on to program the BECM and got an error. I followed the screen prompts to program it again and it did not work. The car appeared dead and the start/stop button did not work. I noticed there was still activity on the pass-thru adapter. I unplugged the pass-thru and the car came back to life. There appears to be a problem with FDRS not stopping network shutdown if there is an error. So I unplugged the adapter at the "connect the battery charger" screen when retrying the update, let the car come back to life, and turn the car off. I went through the procedure for each module and got the rest of the modules in the TSB done.

Because reprogramming breaks the communications network, there will be all sorts of error messages come up. I notice some module updates cleared the DTCs as one of the last steps.

I did not have to do TSB 21-2288 as it updated the same modules as 21-2245. I updated the DSP, OBCC, and BodyCM without any problem. I did not do the TPMS initalization as others said it got sorted when driving. I also noticed no GWM or APIM update. I though I saw it there last week. The Software Update screen said no updates instead of Power-Up 1.6, but I have the calm screen. I can get out of the calm screen by tapping on the screen twice.

I am currently doing the IPMA update. This is a long one and it showed by the long download from the ford server and the long programming time. The TSB says over 2 hours.

Thanks again for the great information thread.

PS: I forgot to mention the TPMS readings came back when I was driving.

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[6stanleys]

That being said, anyone in Iowa that wants updates, let me know

GadgetTech - I may take you up on that offer! I live in Johnston.

 

[horsiedad]

I am currently doing the IPMA update. This is a long one and it showed by the long download from the ford server and the long programming time. The TSB says over 2 hours.

Took me about three hours to do IPMA.

 

[louibluey]

I do not think the risk of bricking MME is as high as rumored. More than a few have had failures in following an update, such as by 12V battery depletion, and seem to have recovered okay. I don't get to read as much on the forum as before, but I do not think there has been a single case of unrecovered MME bricking while programming with a legitimate pass through device (many have reported using 2nd hand Bosch units and the like). As long as it is a credible J-2534 device suitable for use with Ford FDRS, I doubt there is much to worry about.

Also, in my calling around, and reading about experiences and reviews, more than a few remarked that for a DIY driveway mechanic, Drew Technologies (Mongoose) was easy to get telephone support from, where others reported no meaningful DIY support available for the Ford / Bosch device. Drew is an established company supporting many types of vehicles, so I did not worry about buying some no name off brand from China on Amazon. (no affiliation, just my impressions.)

With the $1k saving (Mongoose over VCM3), albeit a bit nuts, I took a one year FDRS license. At least for this first year, I want the freedom to explore what FDRS can do, including the flight recorder looking at PIDs without having to plan two day rentals. That said, for those only planning to do an occasional update, the two day rental is without doubt the way to go.

Lastly, I am looking forward to what we maybe can do in years to come with ForScan. But, I suspect the risks the experts talk about when cautioning what you change in ForScan (real risk) is quite a bit higher than just following a TSB or SSM in FDRS, or even just updating a module because FDRS says an update is available. With a legit pass through device and FDRS, I think our odds of success are the same as a dealer technician.

 

[Eric_C_Boston]

Took me about three hours to do IPMA.

I went out about that time and noticed an error in configuration. A retry was successful and now all my modules are updated. I need to do the two IPMA calibrations and decided to do them tomorrow around lunchtime because of the sun angle.

With the $1k saving (Mongoose over VCM3), albeit a bit nuts, I took a one year FDRS license. At least for this first year, I want the freedom to explore what FDRS can do, including the flight recorder looking at PIDs without having to plan two day rentals. That said, for those only planning to do an occasional update, the two day rental is without doubt the way to go.

I use the Mongoose as well and it is a great device.

I took a year license as well. If you use the daily license 17 times (34 days) then you paid the same as the yearly. I am interested in exploring the extended PIDs, so I will be using it for more than one month or 17 two-day time periods.

 

[GadgetTech]

GadgetTech - I may take you up on that offer! I live in Johnston.

Just DM me and let me know. You would have to get another 2 day for FDRS but the adapter I know works.

 

[Eric_C_Boston]

I did the two required IPMA calibrations this afternoon. I downloaded the two FDRS alignment tests before hitting the road. I connect the FDRS laptop to my phone's hotspot just in case.

One manual step is to measure the wheel well height in mm for the left front and right front. A diagram is shown on how to measure it. The measurements are rounded to the nearest whole mm.

The IPMA alighment is done by driving on a well marked and straight highway. FDRS will indicate when the IPMA is finished. The 360 degree camera alignment is done by driving slowly and straight through a lined parking lot. Make sure to follow the instructions or the calibration will be lost.

I tested a few things and everything seems okay. I am really happy that I did this without breaking the car.

 

[Eric_C_Boston]

I charged overnight and noticed the SOC was 100% instead of 90%. I looked at the settings in Fordpass and my saved locations were gone. Fortunately my home address was listed as a past location and I was able to setup the 90% limit again.

I had trouble setting this up a couple of months ago where it seemed the wrong location was changed. I suspect this was fixed, but the stored data had to be deleted.

 

[louibluey]

I charged overnight and noticed the SOC was 100% instead of 90%. I looked at the settings in Fordpass and my saved locations were gone. Fortunately my home address was listed as a past location and I was able to setup the 90% limit again.

I had trouble setting this up a couple of months ago where it seemed the wrong location was changed. I suspect this was fixed, but the stored data had to be deleted.

Same, I had just done a trip where I asked for 100%, but when I got home, MME charged to 100% instead of my usual 80%. Also, found my charging location on Sync4 was gone. Plugged in, set the location, and all is fine since. It might have been caused by one of the updates we did.

Congrats on the IPMA cal. I had seen varying reports from MME self calibrates, to needing a set of mats with calibration marks. Good to know we can do the calibration with highway and parking lot markings!

 

[BMT1071]

Same, I had just done a trip where I asked for 100%, but when I got home, MME charged to 100% instead of my usual 80%. Also, found my charging location on Sync4 was gone. Plugged in, set the location, and all is fine since. It might have been caused by one of the updates we did.

Congrats on the IPMA cal. I had seen varying reports from MME self calibrates, to needing a set of mats with calibration marks. Good to know we can do the calibration with highway and parking lot markings!

I noticed the same changes after the dealer updated the PCM and it's 5 companion modules for the fan noise concern.

 

[Calvin4000]

What are the technical differences between Mongoose-Plus vs MongoosePro ?

Except the removable cable on the Plus ?? Would the Pro be compatible with FDRS ?

The Mongoose-Plus is sold out everywhere.... not the Pro...

 

[louibluey]

What are the technical differences between Mongoose-Plus vs MongoosePro ?

Except the removable cable on the Plus ?? Would the Pro be compatible with FDRS ?

The Mongoose-Plus is sold out everywhere.... not the Pro...

They are super friendly, call or email them and then tell us what they say about the different versions:

http://drewtech.com/about/contact.html

 

[generaltso]

The Mongoose-Plus is sold out everywhere....

Don't think so.

Amazon.com: Mongoose-Plus J2534 OEM Vehicle Interface Cable - OEM Reprogramming and Diagnostics for Ford / Lincoln / Mercu : Automotive

 

[Calvin4000]

Don't think so.

Amazon.com: Mongoose-Plus J2534 OEM Vehicle Interface Cable - OEM Reprogramming and Diagnostics for Ford / Lincoln / Mercu : Automotive

Unfortunately ...

 

[horsiedad]

Unfortunately ...

Funny, when I check at Amazon, it shows 16 units available.