Sitting in Mach E, the second one I've repaired.

[shp4man]

The issue was the charging indicator near the charging port was orange. It wouldn't charge.
The fix? Updating the software in six different control modules.
It had to sit overnight to clear the fault codes.
Driving it around, my impression is that it's a "dead" car. The electric motor and drivetrain aren't completely silent, it just seems flat and lifeless...not performance wise, just personality wise.
I guess I could get used to it. Eventually.

[Morris Minor]

Why on earth six control modules instead of one?

Couldn't this have been done via WiFi over the air by the owner?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Why on earth six control modules instead of one?

Couldn't this have been done via WiFi over the air by the owner?

OBD-II is an outdated, but government mandated interface. There are several different protocols that can be used, but it is limited by the 16-pin port. As the electronics in vehicles increase in quantity and sophistication, the OBD-II bottleneck gets worse.

[shp4man]

Why on earth six control modules instead of one?

Couldn't this have been done via WiFi over the air by the owner?

There are about 45 different control modules in this vehicle. It's something to do with less wiring and serviceability.
Some updates can be done on WiFi, but not all. Security reasons.

[Laconian]

I think the detached nature of the steering and handling were some of the biggest knocks against the Mustang nomenclature.

[Morris Minor]

There are about 45 different control modules in this vehicle. It's something to do with less wiring and serviceability.
Some updates can be done on WiFi, but not all. Security reasons.

that's like have one computer for printing, one for email, one for spreadsheets, one for web browsing. Bit complicated & ex$pen$ive.

[shp4man]

that's like have one computer for printing, one for email, one for spreadsheets, one for web browsing. Bit complicated & ex$pen$ive.

Plus 6 or 7 different communication protocols with a special module to let them all talk to each other.  LOL.

[r0tor]

I think my Alfa has ~ 30 modules spread across 3 different can bus networks

[Morris Minor]

When I first encountered a computer network, it had every communications protocol running on it: TCP/IP, NetBIOS, NetBEUI, DLC. It was crazy difficult - stuff had been layered on over the years. Then a new vice president of ops came in and said "enough," and it was blitzed over a long weekend to go to TCP/IP only. There was a week of pain afterwards but it was well worth it.

[AutobahnSHO]

When I first encountered a computer network, it had every communications protocol running on it: TCP/IP, NetBIOS, NetBEUI, DLC. It was crazy difficult - stuff had been layered on over the years. Then a new vice president of ops came in and said "enough," and it was blitzed over a long weekend to go to TCP/IP only. There was a week of pain afterwards but it was well worth it.

Easy to just replace a piece if things needed to get sorted out.

Can't do that with cars as easy. Plus has to last longer, be subject to impacts, temperatures, etc....  I don't at all envy car electronics engineers....

[Laconian]

https://twitter.com/atomicthumbs/status/1032939617404645376

Check out the IT and flashing shenanigans on Teslas. Sounds like your Ford experience was much better.

[shp4man]

https://twitter.com/atomicthumbs/status/1032939617404645376

Check out the IT and flashing shenanigans on Teslas. Sounds like your Ford experience was much better.

Sounds about right.