Anyone flashed Taurus/MKS IPC Firmware?

[omar302]

Anyone tried flashing an IPC of a Ford Taurus or Lincoln MKS?
Specifically, I'd like to flash 2016 MKS firmware on my 2015 MKS. 2016 models added a digital speedometer display plus a few other enhancements.

Before I try it myself, wanted to see if anyone has done it before and if they have any pointers. All the forums are usually on Fusion/Mondeo/MKZ IPC firmware flashing, and I have done the same on my 2016 Edge with a similar IPC. But the MKS IPC has only 3 files, hence would like to hear of other's experiences.

Thanks.

[omar302]

Ok. So it seems maybe this was not tried before. So I decided to try. The firmware flashing took about 50 minutes, then I had to write the As-Built Data from a 2016 MKS and success, I got the digital speedometer on my 2015 MKS, similar to a 2016. Used the same files I listed above.

I would expect the same thing would work on a 2014-2015 MKS and also the Taurus, but for the Taurus you'd require 2016 Taurus firmware.

Screenshot_2023-09-01-10-10-36-39_965bbf4d18d205f782c6b8409c5773a4.jpg (844.62 KiB) Viewed 1958 times

Big thanks to the ForScan team for their app and the files.

[NickRideout]

I have a 2015 Taurus SHO and very interested in doing this, mind giving a brief guide?

[omar302]

I have a 2015 Taurus SHO and very interested in doing this, mind giving a brief guide?

First, does the 2016 Taurus have a digital speedometer? If yes, the. You need to obtain the firmware files for a 2016 Taurus and flash it on your 2015.

[NickRideout]

I have a 2015 Taurus SHO and very interested in doing this, mind giving a brief guide?

First, does the 2016 Taurus have a digital speedometer? If yes, the. You need to obtain the firmware files for a 2016 Taurus and flash it on your 2015.

Thanks, yes a 2016 Taurus does have that, where did you obtain your files? Did they come right from the FORScan application?

[NickRideout]

Just downloaded the beta, says I will need a battery charger on the car, so I will have to wait to try till I get one, it seems like a big risk of bricking the module, was the process smooth for you?

[omar302]

Thanks, yes a 2016 Taurus does have that, where did you obtain your files? Did they come right from the FORScan application?

I got the files from the ForScan Support team, however, you need to tell them what file names you want. An alternative, if you have access to a 2016 SHO, you can connect the beta ForScan and it will get the current file names. Then you can try to download them from the app itself.

Just downloaded the beta, says I will need a battery charger on the car, so I will have to wait to try till I get one, it seems like a big risk of bricking the module, was the process smooth for you?

Yes. It took approximately 50-60 minutes. A battery charger is recommended to ensure the battery does not die on you during the flash process resulting in a "bricked" module. However, it can be done without a battery charger, but with the risk stated before.

[MrBrownPants]

Where either one of you able to confirm that updating the IPC firmware in a 2015 Taurus to a 2016MY was successful and able to have a digital speedometer? My understanding is that the electrical architecture in a Taurus is different vs a Lincoln, and may not be able.
Trying to find out as much information as possible before I do so.
Thanks!

[omar302]

Where either one of you able to confirm that updating the IPC firmware in a 2015 Taurus to a 2016MY was successful and able to have a digital speedometer? My understanding is that the electrical architecture in a Taurus is different vs a Lincoln, and may not be able.
Trying to find out as much information as possible before I do so.
Thanks!

Not from my side. However, as far as I know, the electrical architecture for Lincoln MKS (not MKZ) should be very similar as the Taurus.

The MKS is basically a luxury version of the Taurus and share the same platform.

[MrBrownPants]

I am hoping this is the case, and I am hoping that I can get confirmation from someone else. I am going to keep researching and familiarizing myself with the firmware update process, but I believe I will end up trying this. The only other option that I can find is the possibility of swapping a 2016 IPC into the 2015, but this seems way more involved due to having to match PNs, VINs, and setup PATS/Keys.