Their is a new patch for the recent PCM update

[jeapa]

I got the update again with the latest version of the IDS software. It did reset the regen miles again and I am assuming the EV+. Since the update was already working for my car I really didn't notice anything different at first, but then when I pulled into the drive way and parked I noticed this:

 

 

 

I have never seen the word accessories above the car before. Has it always been there?

 

I had a slightly below average day in the car at 46 MPG for my commute, but I had traffic to deal with, and then I just drove faster then normal cause I was running late for a couple of appointments. I can't see anything new about the car and the dealer told me Ford did not explain why the update needed to be redone with this version of the software.

[Sleddog]

Yup... Mine was updated a couple of weeks ago and it has the "Accessories" in the same spot.

[SteveB_TX]

It has always been there. I have never seen it light up... It just kinda hangs out on the screen. :)

Edited August 16, 2013 by SteveB_TX

[MaineFusion]

I almost suspect that it's a patch for the PC software itself not for the PCM update possibly related to the fact that so many update fail the first time. Maybe they found something that would prevent the PCM update getting installed correctly.

 

Just a guess...

This makes total sense, the PCM update seemed like it was way too complicated to install if so many mechanics were getting it wrong.

 

Fortunately, my service tech got it right the first go around. The service manager says the tech who does this stuff is kind of OCD about TSBs and spends his evenings reading them when he gets home. Sounds like a computer geek who got into the wrong field.

[GrySql]

The service manager says the tech who does this stuff is kind of OCD about TSBs and spends his evenings reading them when he gets home. Sounds like a computer geek who got into the wrong field.

You're the lucky one in finding a contentious individual who tries to do a good job by studying on his own time.

Too bad there are not more like him in his field, then so many of us would not have had these under achiever experiences at Dealers.

Bless him, I say.

[hermans]

The same tech works on both of my hybrids. He spends alot of time with me explaining the hybrid operations whenever I take my cars in or when I pick them up. He looks and acts like he could be one of the main characters on Big Bang Theory.

Edited August 18, 2013 by hermans

[MaineFusion]

You're the lucky one in finding a contentious individual who tries to do a good job by studying on his own time.

Too bad there are not more like him in his field, then so many of us would not have had these under achiever experiences at Dealers.

Bless him, I say.

 

Personally, I'd pin the blame for so many failed PCM software updates on Ford, not techs in the field. There is no way techs in the field can keep up with every detail of every car make/model they service. When it comes to software updates like this, Ford has an obligation to make sure they are as fail safe as possible. Relying on techs to be able to follow complicated procedures requiring multiple software installs in a very specific order is a recipe for disaster.

 

I've been developing databases and websites for almost 18 years. I see it as the developers responsibility to develop stuff in a manner that engineers out as many opportunities for human error as possible and to design procedures that require the barest minimum of steps. In this case if a specific software update must be installed prior to installing the PCM update then the install process should automatically determine whether or not the update is needed and install it automatically prior to trying to install the PCM update.

[hermans]

They don't have to remember everything. All they have to do is look it up in the computer and it tells them what and how to do it step by step.

[corncobs]

They don't have to remember everything. All they have to do is look it up in the computer and it tells them what and how to do it step by step.

 

... as long they have the latest updates downloaded which it stated under the 13B07.

[majorleeslow]

I sure hope this is a false alarm. Maybe my dealer is confused, but the calibration worked on my car because it has gone into EV at 70 mph and my regen miles were reset. My car definitely drives differently now too. In any event I will post back tomorrow after my appt. at 3:30.

Just got a new ffh13 very much interested to know if I must get it updated or skip. reading some posts it seems like skipping seems to be the better option.

 

how do I check what PCM I'm on?

[MaineFusion]

They don't have to remember everything. All they have to do is look it up in the computer and it tells them what and how to do it step by step.

What I have learned programming stuff is that regardless of how well it is documented, the more manual steps there are the greater the probability that something will get screwed up. As much as is technically possible, things need to be automated. In this case, making sure prerequisite software updates are applied should have been an automated step in the process.

[corncobs]

Just got a new ffh13 very much interested to know if I must get it updated or skip. reading some posts it seems like skipping seems to be the better option.

 

how do I check what PCM I'm on?

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your FFH.

 

There nothing you can look up but you can tell if your FFH is running the new PCM update if the car goes into EV above 62 MPH and/or the blue threshold frame on the Empower screen does not disappear at 63 MPH.

[neod192]

What I have learned programming stuff is that regardless of how well it is documented, the more manual steps there are the greater the probability that something will get screwed up. As much as is technically possible, things need to be automated. In this case, making sure prerequisite software updates are applied should have been an automated step in the process.

I agree! And if they can't automate the software update (sometimes the user wants to keep using an old version for some reason), the install should fail with a clear error message that the PC software has to be updated to version xxx.