IDS programming failure
I have a transit connect that customer has had unexpectedly stall twice in the last year on taking off from a stop. 23K miles no codes and could not duplicate and no TSB's. I have a genuine VCM 2 and subscription to IDS software. Did find an updated programing for the PCM so gave the customer a choice to update even without a TSB. Sometimes the sneak fixes for these rare events in there.
Went to program and got to the very end of programming session and came up with message lost communications. Tried all the usual things made sure my flash battery maintainer was maintaining good voltage. Rebooted the computer and started over after exhausting the IDS steps including doing a PMI programming session. Still no luck even after turning off windows defender even though already had IDS as exempt from firewall.
I see other posts about IDS programming failures and this seems to be more of the same Ford having issues with there system. I even did a hard reboot on vehicle disconnecting the battery and shorting terminals to ground. No luck. Called Ford and they basically said you have got the latest software a windows 10 dell laptop that exceeds the necessary specs nothing we can do.
Didn't know if anyone else is still currently having IDS issues and if there is anything I missed to try. I did note that when it goes through the clearing data steps the instrument panel shuts down, I have seen this before programming fords so wasn't too concerned about that.
The good news is it appears it never actually fully cleared the PCM as it just reverts back to the original programming level and operates fine afterwards.
Had one do the same. I figured a loss of com could be associated with the intermittent stalling and replaced the PCM power relay (shot in the dark) and it updated NP after that.
What version of IDS? Did you do the complete remove and reinstall after the 118 problems ( motorcraftservice.com/diagnostic/Sup… )?
I have always kept an active subscription for a few years now with a VCM2 I bought from my local dealer. I have 118.06. Did not try fully uninstalling and reinstalling my IDS software no. Customer is picking up car so will not have a chance to test that.
OK, noted that Ford said to completely remove all of IDS when going to 118 and was curious if your issue may have been caused by the problems that required that.
I believe the main issue with the first release of 118.01 was related to LSID coded Pats programming not being able to be completed. To verify the PCM software if it took, start a new IDS session as the network test in the beginning of the session is typically where the tool reads calibrations from. If you program and recheck in the same session it will likely show an update available even if it…
It was right after the ver that required a uninstall of the prior, it was one if the 118.* versions. At first I removed the older version and got interrupted and forgot to restart the PC and was required to complete the uninstall. I installed the new version and the software would not work at all. Removed everything and started from scratch and it worked fine. When I tried to update the PCM it…
Communication and code scan along with all other functions worked fine. I would only get the lost Communication at the very end of PCM reprogramming event. The progress bar would get to the end and would loose comms. After that would retry 3 times and give me error message failed to program try PMR procedure. It would again get to end of programing progress bar and loose Communication 3 times in…
One other thing just because I haven't had one of these 18 transit yet. Did you try FDRS? EDIT: Never mind, just found the FDRS vehicle list ( motorcraftservice.com/diagnostic/Sup… ) and it's 2019 up for Transit Connect and 2020 up for Transit.
If you try to use IDS on a vehicle that requires FDRS it prompts for you to use FDRS
I was not able to get it programmed, however did swap out the PCM power relay per one suggestion before customer picked up the vehicle. I will attempt to remove and perform a fresh install of the IDS going forward. One other suggestion I picked up in a training recently is that Ford is sometimes requiring you to input your LSID to program on some newer vehicles. However it doesn't necessarily…