OTA Insight

[evant8950]

@BrianJ77 I believe they use ATT as the cellular network.

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[Zig]

I believe it is AT&T. Yes, the TCU (telematics control unit) is the "modem" in your car that connects like a cell phone.

Again, WiFi is pretty much useless for 99% of the OTA updates. It's only used if a firmware update is required to repair/restore the TCU or gateway that gets your OTA working via celluar.

For some reason, don’t know how true but two ‘bars’ minimum.

 

[roadpilot]

Interesting! A little pricey for an OTA but could prove valuable in the future. Thank you!

OTA can deliver firmware updates to almost ANY of the various modules in your vehicle. There are dozens of them - everything from main ones (e.g., Body Control Module, Transmission Control Module) to the most mundane (driver's seat module, passenger seat module, HVAC module, etc.).

Think of each module as a mini-computer that controls something (could be major, could be minor) in your vehicle, and every once in a while Ford releases a firmware update (like with your cell phone) to either fix something or add a new feature).

Even if your truck is reading and waiting for an OTA update, if you wait on the OTA process, it could be weeks or even months before you receive an update. Some of us get impatient, either because we want a known bug fixed NOW or we want a new feature NOW.

It's a small price to pay if you don't like to wait, especially if you own more than one vehicle that can take advantage of it.

 

[evant8950]

@roadpilot do you know of any kind of guide on how to do this? So I can get the basic process of how to do the update manually.

 

[roadpilot]

@BrianJ77 I believe they use ATT as the cellular network.

Under FordPass/Connected Services/Ford Premium Connectivity, it does state that "Connected Service and features depend on compatible AT&T network availability". I can't imagine them using a different carrier for the TCU and OTA updates vs the optional services you can buy.

 

[roadpilot]

@roadpilot do you know of any kind of guide on how to do this? So I can get the basic process of how to do the update manually.

I'm not aware of anything that anyone has put together, as in "FDRS for the Layperson".

Understand that you're literally using the exact same software that the licensed technicians at the Ford and Lincoln dealerships use. When you update the firmware for a module in your car, your ID (that you registered with to buy the subscription) is captured with the update, just like the technician's license/ID is captured.

There is quite a bit of discussion over on the F150forum that goes back years. When I first got interested in doing it, I read some of that, bought the Mongoose, bought the 2-day subscription, and worked my way through it. If you lived in MI, I'd be happy to do it for you.

@rugedraw does have a couple of Mongoose-Plus devices that he sends out to folks that use it and send it back to him - no cost except postage both ways. But (a) you do need to send him a deposit to cover the cost of the Mongoose in case you decide to not return it (which he refunds, less postage, upon return) and (b) the waiting list is long.

Again, if you're reasonably proficient with computers and have a basic knowledge of modern cars, it's pretty straightforward.

 

[evant8950]

I'm not aware of anything that anyone has put together, as in "FDRS for the Layperson".

Understand that you're literally using the exact same software that the licensed technicians at the Ford and Lincoln dealerships use. When you update the firmware for a module in your car, your ID (that you registered with to buy the subscription) is captured with the update, just like the technician's license/ID is captured.

There is quite a bit of discussion over on the F150forum that goes back years. When I first got interested in doing it, I read some of that, bought the Mongoose, bought the 2-day subscription, and worked my way through it. If you lived in MI, I'd be happy to do it for you.

@rugedraw does have a couple of Mongoose-Plus devices that he sends out to folks that use it and send it back to him - no cost except postage both ways. But (a) you do need to send him a deposit to cover the cost of the Mongoose in case you decide to not return it (which he refunds, less postage, upon return) and (b) the waiting list is long.

Again, if you're reasonably proficient with computers and have a basic knowledge of modern cars, it's pretty straightforward.

I found a post on a forum on how to do it for the mach e. I am assuming the process is similar.

 

[rugedraw]

Do you know what cellular network they use? I love in a pretty rural area and have to have a Verizon signal extender at the house for my cell phone to work. Any phone on the Verizon network can automatically connect using it. Will the car use that extender like a normal cell tower, or does it go through WiFi which I also have installed on the car?

Unless they changed something on these cars, it's AT&T. If you guys have the new 5G modems, it may be a different provider.

I found a post on a forum on how to do it for the mach e. I am assuming the process is similar.

Yes, the process is similar, but you don't need such an expensive power supply for an ICE vehicle. A 20amp power supply will work.

If you (or anyone) wants to update the vehicle themself and not spend $540 on a Mongoose, I can add you to the waiting list to borrow one of mine. I currently four of them that I loan out for free to anyone that wants one. Details are below.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...mming-vehicle-interface-lending-thread.13145/

I also provide full support if you've never done it before.

 

[steveo1960]

Under FordPass/Connected Services/Ford Premium Connectivity, it does state that "Connected Service and features depend on compatible AT&T network availability". I can't imagine them using a different carrier for the TCU and OTA updates vs the optional services you can buy.

My car is past the 90 day trial of premium connectivity and I did not renew. Does this mean i no longer get OTA updates via cellular ?

 

[evant8950]

My car is past the 90 day trial of premium connectivity and I did not renew. Does this mean i no longer get OTA updates via cellular ?

I am not the expert, but I don't think that is the case. I think you will still get OTA updates.

 

[rugedraw]

My car is past the 90 day trial of premium connectivity and I did not renew. Does this mean i no longer get OTA updates via cellular ?

Yea, updates will still come in.

 

[evant8950]

@rugedraw Do you have a recommendation on a power supply?

 

[rugedraw]

@rugedraw Do you have a recommendation on a power supply?

This is the one I use.

Clore Automotive PL2320 20-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, and Stable Power Supply with Temperature Compensation https://a.co/d/cYsDHgs

 

[evant8950]

@rugedraw thanks! Looking at the video for the mach e update process, it looks like if not all updates listed in FDRS may be applicable to your particular car. How would I go to determine which updates are safe to update? Thank you!

 

[rugedraw]

@rugedraw thanks! Looking at the video for the mach e update process, it looks like if not all updates listed in FDRS may be applicable to your particular car. How would I go to determine which updates are safe to update? Thank you!

At this time for these cars, they are all ok to install. The thing is, there isn't much to install. In your case since you got two of the 6 available updates for these cars, you would only be updating the ABS, BCM, PCM and APIM modules. This will take maybe an hour to do depending on how long it takes to download the APIM files from Ford's servers which are slower than molasses dripping down a tree during a snowy winter. It would be a lot of trouble for only a few module updates you guys have pending. In the case of @roadpilot, has also has an F150 that was showing several good updates pending and he killed two birds with one stone.

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