Geek Squad?

[GrySql]

Now that Ford is mired into the Microsoft Sync software and other programming for our cars maybe a better way of repairing/updating our cars is needed.

The Dealers always have to call the Hot Line to ask questions, there are Forums set up to solve problems and we are all detectives on this FFH Forum.

 

Maybe Ford ought to seek help and contract out some of the software related issues to:

• Update the cars Firmware/Software in a timely and uniform fashion.

• Add lessons for new FFH owners (and Ford salespersons) to teach all this new technology that the poorly written Owner's Manual doesn't.

• Provide charging for the LVB when the dashboard shows an 'low voltage alert' because we leave the key on too long while trying to figure all these technological wonders out.

• Have a home visitation program for the technological needy.

• Add your own ideas here.....

 

What do you think, should Ford contract the MS trained Geek Squad to solve some of these computer issues we're having with the FFH?

:headscratch:

Edited May 20, 2013 by GrySql

[kuzzi]

Definitely not a MS thing, but open source software would be nice to fiddle with some of the internals to find out exactly what's going on.

[GrySql]

Definitely not a MS thing,

MS Sync certainly is...

I was just attempting some droll humor. ;)

 

Edited May 20, 2013 by GrySql

[acdii]

Oh not the GOOK squad! If you want something really messed up, let them work on your computer. They touch our cars, and the horn will sound when you turn on the wipers, the trunk will open when you put it in gear, and the nav will direct you to the nearest BestBuy for repairs.

[murphy]

30 years or so ago, when Windows first came out, there was a comical story posted on every bulletin board that went something like this.

If Microsoft designed a car you would periodically have to pull to the side of the road,
turn the car off,
open all of the doors,
everyone get out,
walk around the car once,
everyone get back in,
close the doors,
start the car and drive on.

In other words reboot the car.

It's painful to see how close Microsoft Sync comes to this story.

[fusionTX]

I think this forum is the geek squad :)

[acdii]

30 years or so ago, when Windows first came out, there was a comical story posted on every bulletin board that went something like this.

 

If Microsoft designed a car you would periodically have to pull to the side of the road,

turn the car off,

open all of the doors,

everyone get out,

walk around the car once,

everyone get back in,

close the doors,

start the car and drive on.

 

In other words reboot the car.

 

It's painful to see how close Microsoft Sync comes to this story.

 

Already there! Have you seen some of the things you need to do to get stuff to work? LOL Not as easy as the 3 finger salute though.

[mokee]

In other words reboot the car.

 

What's the 1st question the help desk always asks?

It's painful to see how close Microsoft Sync comes to this story.

 

Ah....but bloatware creates jobs and engages the user base!

I think this forum is the geek squad :)

 

Don't they drive VW Beetles?

 

You can SyncMyRide, but I don't want to pay for a subscription.

[mokee]

Definitely not a MS thing, but open source software would be nice to fiddle with some of the internals to find out exactly what's going on.

 

Check out http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugeii/

 

Then go to http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6503-scangauge-ii-x-gauge-codes/?hl=scangauge

[GrySql]

Mokee, that is very enlightening. Maybe we are the FoFuHy Squad....

The next question is how do we interpret the number that the SC II produces.

 

Brcd131 received a SOC number, what did he learn from this?

I am very interested in what my HVB is doing, and when.

Looks likes a SC II is in my future.

[kuzzi]

Check out http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugeii/

 

Then go to http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6503-scangauge-ii-x-gauge-codes/?hl=scangauge

That's interesting. Can we take it a step further and make it open like Android and have various ROMs we can flash to the cars? Have various apps so we can integrate our phone better into the screen (google maps anyone?) Make it to where EV mode is still on up to 75 mph? Strobing interior lights, automatic start with ICE only, increase regen braking load, etc.

 

Essentially root our cars, keeping the basics (airbags, restrains, drive, etc) the same but fiddling with other things that are more preferential. There are risks of course, decreased useful battery life being one, but having the capability would be cool.

[brcd131]

SOC is a negative number but it tracks with the charge indicator. I have not been monitoring HVB but I just turned it on and sitting in the driveway, car started, ICE off, it read 277. I'll drive it to work tomorrow and see what it says over a 120 mile trip.

Edited May 21, 2013 by brcd131

[LASooner]

If you want to just play with the basics without turning on the car you can try this app

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ford.avatar&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5mb3JkLmF2YXRhciJd

 

 

it emulates the MFT interface on an android tablet.

[brcd131]

SOC is a negative number but it tracks with the charge indicator. I have not been monitoring HVB but I just turned it on and sitting in the driveway, car started, ICE off, it read 277. I'll drive it to work tomorrow and see what it says over a 120 mile trip.

Watched HVB today, and saw pretty much what one would expect. The voltage ranged from about 270 to about 300, with low voltage when SOC was low and high voltage when SOC was high. But this was not always consistent. To really do this right, need to continuously log this along with a few other parameters to watch how the parameters interact. I have an older AutoTap that I can hook to my laptop, but not sure I can get at the appropriate registers in the car ECU.

[GrySql]

Watched HVB today, and saw pretty much what one would expect. The voltage ranged from about 270 to about 300, with low voltage when SOC was low and high voltage when SOC was high. But this was not always consistent. To really do this right, need to continuously log this along with a few other parameters to watch how the parameters interact. I have an older AutoTap that I can hook to my laptop, but not sure I can get at the appropriate registers in the car ECU.

Thanks for the effort.

I am wondering if there is a correlation between the HVB'S charging cycle and SOC that might explain why certain FFH's get better fuel economy than others.

I have read posts here where member's can get up to 5 miles on EV.

My car is not one of those, if I try real hard I can get about 1-1/2 miles.

The SC II may help in solving this riddle.

The Dealer won't strap on their diagnostic computer unless I have repeatable incidents of problems, which is understandable.

Even so, a HVB pack has a test range of performance, maybe low normal is fine for test/warranty purposes but a high normal car may get better mpg's - or so my theory imagines.

[acdii]

Thanks for the effort.

I am wondering if there is a correlation between the HVB'S charging cycle and SOC that might explain why certain FFH's get better fuel economy than others.

I have read posts here where member's can get up to 5 miles on EV.

My car is not one of those, if I try real hard I can get about 1-1/2 miles.

The SC II may help in solving this riddle.

The Dealer won't strap on their diagnostic computer unless I have repeatable incidents of problems, which is understandable.

Even so, a HVB pack has a test range of performance, maybe low normal is fine for test/warranty purposes but a high normal car may get better mpg's - or so my theory imagines.

Agreed.