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

[Wonky_Donkey]

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

I use what I presume is a VCM II clone for my updates and it seems to work fine. It’s the dual layered motherboard with a micro SD card reader and card built in.

Bought it from a (semi) reputable site which I think was based in Europe (difficult to tell these days). Cost £140 ($190)

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[Arjan]

Did all the updates this morning and all went fine. I did use a mongoose cable. During updates my external charger went full load at 30A. ABS and OBCC still exist in the updates list. But i did flash them successfully. So not to worried about that.

 

[i8iridium]

I use what I presume is a VCM II clone for my updates and it seems to work fine. It’s the dual layered motherboard with a micro SD card reader and card built in.

Bought it from a (semi) reputable site which I think was based in Europe (difficult to tell these days). Cost £140 ($190)

I am also using the same device. It's most definitely a clone. I've been using it since I started messing with Forscan on my 2015 F150. It's taken a beating and works like a champ.

 

[Neil4Real]

Did all the updates this morning and all went fine. I did use a mongoose cable. During updates my external charger went full load at 30A. ABS and OBCC still exist in the updates list. But i did flash them successfully. So not to worried about that.

The OBCC should actually clear. The first time I did it, it did not clear, I re-ran and it fully cleared.

 

[OON7]

Lol, I'm doing the RFA update and the wipers turned on, dunno what to make of that lmao ???

 

[benk016]

Lol, I'm doing the RFA update and the wipers turned on, dunno what to make of that lmao ???

One of my updates, don't remember which one, but after it completed and the car came back on the back hatch opened at the same time.

 

[benk016]

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

I bought this clone. I went the cheapest possible route to get into updates with FDRS. This one works fine, you just have to load their software and it's from China and Windows security doesn't like it. I'm running it on an older laptop that I don't care about.

VXDIAG VCX Nano https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YD6ZXTZ

 

[OON7]

Finished the updates, ABS one didn't seem to be clearing. My interior lights also would not shut off driving around the block.

Gonna check again later to see if anything changes.

 

[OON7]

Finished the updates, ABS one didn't seem to be clearing. My interior lights also would not shut off driving around the block.

Gonna check again later to see if anything changes.

Cleared itself out, was the TPMS needing to clear. For the record everyone. I am that guy, the cheapo living on the edge. $150 adapter and my wife's car as that power source. Worked for me, at least, hahahaha ???

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082X9Y7WQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Edit: Didn't realize how dirty the car looked. It's the awful salt buildup here after all of the recent snow. I'm giving the car some TLC today since we are in the 40's.

 

[scoopman]

So I took the plunge yesterday thanks to the encouragement and help of @DevSecOps and this thread.... Went great without problems. Off to a day trip to Sonoma tomorrow over the Golden Gate Bridge to test out the new charge curve.

I used:

• Clore Automotive PL6100 Flash Reprogramming Power Supply 100 Amp $469
• 15 Amp Male to 20 Amp Female Plug Outlet $7
• Mongoose-Plus J2534 OEM Vehicle Interface Cable $495
• HP - Stream 11.6" Laptop $240
• Kitchen Cart on Wheels $44
• 2-day license $50 (important, get this last once you know you have everything else!)

I had no problems updating all the stuff -- although I had some experience with this from when @DevSecOps visited in December to update my and @HuntingPudel's cars. Everything went smoothly, save for the ABS module not registering that it was already updated. The $44 Kitchen Cart is *perfect* for wheeling the power supply, cables, and other junk out to the car, but mine arrived a bit damaged -- awaiting a replacement tomorrow. Will update with a photo of that as well.

Bottom line, I think it's lovely that these cars have software updatability on every module on the car, and that this software is available to us. However, it's really a shame that Ford is not able to get going in updating its cars in a timely manner. I'd rather not have to have started a frekin Ford-dealers worth of diagnostic software and hardware in order to have the latest charging curve and bugs fixed.

My neighbor thought I was a bit nuts. Note the bonus of how the power supply is in matching Cyber Orange! I moved my car outside my garage just in case I screwed up and bricked it and needed a tow (I am guessing it would be easier to grab outside my garage, although I hope to never test this out).

I had my mood lighting going in the car -- although my LED lighting project is for another post.

Everything proceeded normally with FDRS, despite the el cheapo Celeron Windows laptop I had being outside of the processor spec FDRS claims to require.

An Etsy sticker I got fit perfectly on the little laptop, and I think assisted the process significantly.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Love the decal, @scoopman ! Careful not to leave the Celery laptop (?) in your mac ‘n’ cheese! ??

Maybe when I get recovered for paying for my dog’s chemo I will get all the stuff I need to start doing this myself too. ??

 

[DevSecOps]

@scoopman did you end up drilling the holes and using the caps to access the jump points or did you pull the panel again? Looks like the panels are in place.

 

[scoopman]

@scoopman did you end up drilling the holes and using the caps to access the jump points or did you pull the panel again? Looks like the panels are in place.

I drilled 'em! Gotta go all in here.

 

[Arjan]

So I took the plunge yesterday thanks to the encouragement and help of @DevSecOps and this thread.... Went great without problems. Off to a day trip to Sonoma tomorrow over the Golden Gate Bridge to test out the new charge curve.

I used:

• Clore Automotive PL6100 Flash Reprogramming Power Supply 100 Amp $469
• 15 Amp Male to 20 Amp Female Plug Outlet $7
• Mongoose-Plus J2534 OEM Vehicle Interface Cable $495
• HP - Stream 11.6" Laptop $240
• Kitchen Cart on Wheels $44
• 2-day license $50 (important, get this last once you know you have everything else!)

I had no problems updating all the stuff -- although I had some experience with this from when @DevSecOps visited in December to update my and @HuntingPudel's cars. Everything went smoothly, save for the ABS module not registering that it was already updated. The $44 Kitchen Cart is *perfect* for wheeling the power supply, cables, and other junk out to the car, but mine arrived a bit damaged -- awaiting a replacement tomorrow. Will update with a photo of that as well.

Bottom line, I think it's lovely that these cars have software updatability on every module on the car, and that this software is available to us. However, it's really a shame that Ford is not able to get going in updating its cars in a timely manner. I'd rather not have to have started a frekin Ford-dealers worth of diagnostic software and hardware in order to have the latest charging curve and bugs fixed.

My neighbor thought I was a bit nuts. Note the bonus of how the power supply is in matching Cyber Orange! I moved my car outside my garage just in case I screwed up and bricked it and needed a tow (I am guessing it would be easier to grab outside my garage, although I hope to never test this out).

I had my mood lighting going in the car -- although my LED lighting project is for another post.

Everything proceeded normally with FDRS, despite the el cheapo Celeron Windows laptop I had being outside of the processor spec FDRS claims to require.

An Etsy sticker I got fit perfectly on the little laptop, and I think assisted the process significantly.

I used a 30 amp charger. It was stressed out at 30 amps during flashing. But it did the job.

 

[Arjan]

The OBCC should actually clear. The first time I did it, it did not clear, I re-ran and it fully cleared.

I did not flash a second time, but it cleared anyway. I guess the car needs to be in sleep mode to restart or something.

Only thing left is ABS now

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