Update outside US

[jacopo]

Good morning, since February 25th, I have been the second owner of a 2021 Ford Bronco, Badlands version, 4-door, 2.3-liter engine.

I live in Italy and bought it in Germany. I think it is one of the first series to be imported into Europe.

I am wondering what is the easiest way to perform the Sync 4 update myself, as I believe it has never been updated since 2021. Dealerships in Italy are not very familiar with this vehicle as there are only a few of them and they are not very willing to perform the update.

The reason for the update is that I saw that the latest versions allow for full-screen Android Auto, and I also have the problem that Waze does not start navigation.

I believe the vehicle has an internal SIM, but it is a US one, so it has no signal here, and the Wi-Fi menu does not appear in the settings.

Can anyone give me a guide for performing this update outside the United States?

Thanks, best regards
Jacopo

Sponsored

 

[rugedraw]

You would need FDRS. I am pretty sure that FDRS is supported in Italy. You need a Ford-specfic Mongoose J2534 cable, a 20amp or bigger battery power supply, a USB drive and a windows-based laptop.

A guide explaining what FDRS and basic tutorial on how to use it is below:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/

Before you start, it would be good if you can ask your dealer to provide you with a list of the modules with pending updates before you invest in the tools needed to do this. I used to be able to check these things, but due to recent changes in Ford's cybersecurity, I can not check for pending updates anymore. A dealer can easily provide you with this list of pending updates with the VIN using PTS/OASIS which is the Ford dealer service website.

 

[Icetek]

I bought my 24 BB SAS through Military Auto Souce (US Model) and picked it up in Germany last May and rove it to Portugal. Zero connections to the Ford APP - so miss out on the points (didn't know about them and MAS never said anything), updates, vehicle info, autostart, etc..

Should have taken it to a dealer sooner but was too busy. Now close to first service time hopefully they can explain the non-connection issue.

 

[RustysBronco]

Does it not update if you connect the vehicle to wifi?

 

[rugedraw]

Does it not update if you connect the vehicle to wifi?

No; only a few updates ever sent out require wifi. If the vehicle is exported to another country, the TCU would need to be provisioned for that country for connectivity to work. That is, if that country is supported by Ford for OTAs and connectivity to work.

 

[jensht]

I have a German spec Bronco and I never received any of the OTA updates, even with WiFi 24/7 in the garage. However, any Ford dealer can use their FDRS software to update the vehicle. The process to update is the same for any modern Ford. No matter if a Focus, Fiesta, or Bronco. They hook it up to FDRS and install the pending updates.

Now most dealers probably don't want to do it since the Sync updates can take multiple hours. So it would take up a service bay, their diagnostic computer, and someone would have to regularly check on the car to make sure the update is running.

I am guessing your dealer is using the excuse that they don't know as they don't want to spend the time to do it.

I bought an original Ford diagnostic device (VCM II) and use FDRS to install the updates myself. I have updated my Bronco, two Rangers, and friends and families variety of Ford cars. Besides needing patience, it never was an issue.

If you ever are in Southwest Germany, I am more than happy to install whatever updates there are!

Good morning, since February 25th, I have been the second owner of a 2021 Ford Bronco, Badlands version, 4-door, 2.3-liter engine.

I live in Italy and bought it in Germany. I think it is one of the first series to be imported into Europe.

I am wondering what is the easiest way to perform the Sync 4 update myself, as I believe it has never been updated since 2021. Dealerships in Italy are not very familiar with this vehicle as there are only a few of them and they are not very willing to perform the update.

The reason for the update is that I saw that the latest versions allow for full-screen Android Auto, and I also have the problem that Waze does not start navigation.

I believe the vehicle has an internal SIM, but it is a US one, so it has no signal here, and the Wi-Fi menu does not appear in the settings.

Can anyone give me a guide for performing this update outside the United States?

Thanks, best regards
Jacopo

 

[RustysBronco]

No; only a few updates ever sent out require wifi. If the vehicle is exported to another country, the TCU would need to be provisioned for that country for connectivity to work. That is, if that country is supported by Ford for OTAs and connectivity to work.

Ah. Bummer. I don't presume a hardware VPN to a US node would serve as a workaround?

 

[rugedraw]

Ah. Bummer. I don't presume a hardware VPN to a US node would serve as a workaround?

For FDRS, many people got around not being able to use it by using a VPN in the past, but not sure if that will work any more with the newer FDRS and the new cybersecurity systems.

For the modem itself, I'm not sure if there is an easy way to trick it into getting cellular data working. I've tried and haven't been able to do it. There's a guy in Poland I believe that can program the TCU to work in other supported countries, but you'd have to remove it and mail it to him for programming on a bench. I don't think he has an account here. I know he's on the Mach E and 7G Mustang forums, but I've never seen him here.

 

[jacopo]

Good afternoon, thanks everyone for the replies!

You would need FDRS. I am pretty sure that FDRS is supported in Italy. You need a Ford-specfic Mongoose J2534 cable, a 20amp or bigger battery power supply, a USB drive and a windows-based laptop.

A guide explaining what FDRS and basic tutorial on how to use it is below:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/

Before you start, it would be good if you can ask your dealer to provide you with a list of the modules with pending updates before you invest in the tools needed to do this. I used to be able to check these things, but due to recent changes in Ford's cybersecurity, I can not check for pending updates anymore. A dealer can easily provide you with this list of pending updates with the VIN using PTS/OASIS which is the Ford dealer service website.

Thank you @rugedraw for this guide
Before purchasing the car adapter, I wanted to see if anyone had used FDRS outside the United States to see if it provided complete updates even abroad.
I don't want to have problems logging in once I've purchased everything.

Regarding available updates, another dealer was more helpful and told me they see these updates, but I don't know the specifics. Do you see anything regarding sync?

AWD All-Wheel Drive
BCM Body Control Module
BCMC Body Control Module
CHCM Chassis Control Module
DDM Driver's Door Module
DSP Audio Digital Signal Processing Module
IPC Instrument Cluster
PAM Active Park Assist Control Module
PCM Control Module Engine
PDM passenger door module
WACM wireless accessory charging module

Does it not update if you connect the vehicle to wifi?

no, no because the wifi menu doesn't even appear!

I have a German spec Bronco and I never received any of the OTA updates, even with WiFi 24/7 in the garage. However, any Ford dealer can use their FDRS software to update the vehicle. The process to update is the same for any modern Ford. No matter if a Focus, Fiesta, or Bronco. They hook it up to FDRS and install the pending updates.

Now most dealers probably don't want to do it since the Sync updates can take multiple hours. So it would take up a service bay, their diagnostic computer, and someone would have to regularly check on the car to make sure the update is running.

I am guessing your dealer is using the excuse that they don't know as they don't want to spend the time to do it.

I bought an original Ford diagnostic device (VCM II) and use FDRS to install the updates myself. I have updated my Bronco, two Rangers, and friends and families variety of Ford cars. Besides needing patience, it never was an issue.

If you ever are in Southwest Germany, I am more than happy to install whatever updates there are!

thank you @jensht
Where exactly do you live? Although I think the trip will cost me more than buying the car adapter myself!
Don't know if anyone is selling a used one or renting this adapter?
Which model did you buy?

If I were to buy it, I'm just worried I might have problems using the software or logging into the Ford system, since I'm a private individual, not a mechanic!
Perhaps even if I didn't come to you because of the distance, could you just offer me assistance if I encountered any problems?
Honestly, I'd also be worried about starting updates regarding the car's control units... I don't want to make any mistakes...
What do you think?

thanks to all, best regards
Jacopo

 

[rugedraw]

Good afternoon, thanks everyone for the replies!



Thank you @rugedraw for this guide
Before purchasing the car adapter, I wanted to see if anyone had used FDRS outside the United States to see if it provided complete updates even abroad.
I don't want to have problems logging in once I've purchased everything.

Regarding available updates, another dealer was more helpful and told me they see these updates, but I don't know the specifics. Do you see anything regarding sync?

AWD All-Wheel Drive
BCM Body Control Module
BCMC Body Control Module
CHCM Chassis Control Module
DDM Driver's Door Module
DSP Audio Digital Signal Processing Module
IPC Instrument Cluster
PAM Active Park Assist Control Module
PCM Control Module Engine
PDM passenger door module
WACM wireless accessory charging module





no, no because the wifi menu doesn't even appear!



thank you @jensht

The fact that you show an IPC update is a good thing. That module is directly related to the Sync modules. It is possible that updating the IPC with FDRS will release more updates for the APIM, GWM and/or TCU that will allow you to get further along the process. These modules have to be updated in a certqain sequence, so you would need to update the IPC in order for more updates to be released for your VIN.

To be clear: There is no guarantee that updating the IPC will release more updates, but it should.

If the option for wifi does not appear, you may need to change the config in the APIM. It will not solve your OTA issues, but you should have the option to connect to wifi in your touchscreen. Check what you show here in the APIM with FORScan. If CCS is disabled, you will not have the option to connect to WiFI:

Or message me the VIN and I can check.

Sponsored