What! No CarPlay!?!

[cmsmits]

Of course is installing a software upgrade at your own risk and voids the warranty. I have already an appointment with my Lexus dealer mid October, after they have received their training, to get the upgrade fixed, worst case by replacing the DCU. This will be at my own cost. However, I am a bit disappointed in the test process quality of this upgrade by Lexus.

[jbi507]

2 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

The whole thing is at your own risk but if you have partially affected your system with a failed update then don't expect Lexus to be fixing it for free under warranty.

I understand where you are coming from and if this was xda forum then fair enough. Anyway each to their own I guess, you're just giving them the information🤷‍♂️. 

Also as long as your system is not broken (bricked and no longer loads) , you can pay lexus to do the retrofit. 

[jbi507]

2 hours ago, cmsmits said:

worst case by replacing the DCU

Since it's not bricked it should never come to that. Plus you didn't use unofficial software, so not sure why you think you would have voided your warranty. 

[AtomAnt]

3 hours ago, jbi507 said:

@AtomAnt @cmsmits it's strange that it didn't work for you guys, there must be something different about your systems. 

I'm sure you guys will just wait for lexus to sort it out. 

@ColinBarber as for those instructions I wouldn't even try them and I am a software engineer. Only because without any debugging tools you don't know why it's throwing those errors and the last thing you want to do is mess around with the install and potentially brick your system. Might as well wait for maybe a few months, and let lexus get out a patch. 

Not sure what happened, but it did not work, of course, we are working on a blind system, there isn't any verbose logging for the operator. However, looking at TSB BE-00226L-TME, i.e. Lexus Premium Navigation (MM17/MM19) - Troubleshooting Guide DCU + MEU; logs can be obtained from the service menu for MEU and DCU. The dealer can share these logs with TME support. 
This is covered under the heading: "Diagnoses recorder: Get multimedia diagnostic data (MMDiagData) Downloading the diagnosis recorder to USB" again this is not my job but encouraging that such an option exist. 

I too am in the tech arena, and despite the fact, I can code, I'd not dare to attempt this workaround. Yes, I had seen it before when I was researching post-failure. 
 

[AtomAnt]

6 minutes ago, jbi507 said:

Since it's not bricked it should never come to that. Plus you didn't use unofficial software, so not sure why you think you would have voided your warranty. 

Yep - the system is not dead yet and is operational, still. 

[AtomAnt]

3 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

The whole thing is at your own risk but if you have partially affected your system with a failed update then don't expect Lexus to be fixing it for free under warranty.

Well, we'll find out soon 🙂 

[AtomAnt]

3 hours ago, jbi507 said:

@AtomAnt @cmsmits it's strange that it didn't work for you guys, there must be something different about your systems. 

I'm sure you guys will just wait for lexus to sort it out. 

@ColinBarber as for those instructions I wouldn't even try them and I am a software engineer. Only because without any debugging tools you don't know why it's throwing those errors and the last thing you want to do is mess around with the install and potentially brick your system. Might as well wait for maybe a few months, and let lexus get out a patch. 

Not sure what happened, but it did not work, of course, we are working on a blind system there isn't any verbose logging for the operator. However, looking at TSB BE-00226L-TME, i.e. Lexus Premium Navigation (MM17/MM19) - Troubleshooting Guide DCU + MEU; logs can be obtained from the service menu for MEU and DCU. The dealer can share these logs with TME support. 
This is covered under the heading: "Diagnoses recorder: Get multimedia diagnostic data (MMDiagData) Downloading the diagnosis recorder to USB" again this is not my job but encouraging that such an option exists. 

I too am in the tech arena, and despite the fact, I can code, I'd not dare to attempt this workaround. Yes, I had seen it before when I was researching post-failure. 

[AtomAnt]

9 hours ago, AtomAnt said:

Thanks @pobrown - Earlier today, I tried the USB3 retry method. The process does kick off but after 1st reboot whilst installing DCU Main - it hangs at "DCU (REPRO) Vup Completed" for ever! talking about 70ish minutes.  I used a different (new USB disk)  - trip to local Argos! 

@pobrown and all who were successful, not that is matters but what type of USB disk you use. vendor, model etc ? 

[jbi507]

 

28 minutes ago, AtomAnt said:

what type of USB disk you use

USB 1: Kingston DT101G3/16GB - this didn't load in the car for whatever reason (wasted an hour trying to diagnosis the issue, even though it was fine on pc). So I tried it with a SanDisk 32GB full size sd card into a integral USB card reader

USB 2: SanDisk 126905 Ultra Flair 32 GB, looks the same as your pic

USB 3: Kingston DT100G3/32GB

[pobrown]

7 hours ago, AtomAnt said:

@pobrown and all who were successful, not that is matters but what type of USB disk you use. vendor, model etc ? 

8GB Kingston

2 x 32GB SanDisk same as your picture

[Andy B]

7 hours ago, AtomAnt said:

@pobrown and all who were successful, not that is matters but what type of USB disk you use. vendor, model etc ? 

1 x 16GB; 2 x 32GB. All SanDisk.

Upgrade files were unzipped using WinRAR on Windows 10.

[Fafner]

Used a generic 4gb pendrive as USB1, a Kingston 256GB UHS-I card as USB2 and a Lexar 128GB UHS-II card as USB3. Both cards used in conjunction with Lexar's own card reader (the one they used to include with their cards).

Archives extracted using WinRAR on Windows 10. Stick/cards formatted to FAT32 using SD Card Formatter utility, no particular options used.

 

Everything works fine, connected stuff ok, routes added in the phone app get imported, Android Auto is ok. There's just one small thing which isn't right. In my profile in the Lexus portal, I'm getting told I should register my Multimedia device to be able to download maps. But the multimedia device is already there, the reported ID is the right one. If I try to register the ID again, it does tell me it's already paired with another vehicle.

No idea if I'll run into issues once I'll have to upgrade maps, I got 2020v1 already and the OTA check from the nav isn't giving errors (it obviously tells me I got the latest ones).

[jbi507]

10 hours ago, Fafner said:

I'm getting told I should register my Multimedia device

I to get that message

[AtomAnt]

Hello everyone. Slight update for the victims of TSB BE-00226L-TME (Red screen of death @ USB Disk 3). There is good and bad news and some advice.
In the interest of data protection, I'll not be able to share any names, but I spoke a Lexus dealership at length. I diverted their direction to this thread, page 6 mainly to have a view. I then revealed my self, who I am on this thread in utter honesty. The person took notes of the sequence of events and promised to come back to me. 
The response was remarkable in two ways. One, I was told that this TSB is not official and shall not be issued to the dealers. And the dealers will be able to offer the upgrade mid-october, i.e. they are still waiting but it is close!  
He remarked that Lexus-tech is aware that a vast number of customers downloaded the software leading to mixed upgrade results. Where there is a total failure (bricked unit, i.e. system going in a perpetual loop), it is, unfortunately, a DCU replacement of circa £1500, i.e. not covered by the warranty.  
Now, where the MEU has been upgraded, and DCU failed at disk 3, i.e. you multimedia is working as expected but not connecting to Lexus connected services; there is a slight hope via the dealer network when the "final" software is released, it may fix the issue. (I used the term 'final' since I don't know what else to say)! 
I am baffled with this response, i.e. how can Lexus release a software update without any exhaustive testing. No one knows this answer neither was the person on the phone able address. 
I hung up the phone and started digging some threads where customers affected by the Red Screen of Death are cursing Toyota. One of them said that if you still have access to zip files, i.e. the 3 USBs, then Toyota is changing the software, i.e. updated content at the back of same URL. 
So to address my curiosity, I decided to download the files again.  I started with Disk 3, and to my surprise, there is a minor change on the content (addition of 2 files). In a nutshell, Lexus has now added a warning denying any liability in case things go haywire! 

So my advice is
If your system is still working after a failed attempt - Do not tinker, wait for the dealer to look at your system. 
If your system is bricked, I am sorry, its too late, but be friendly and honest with your dealer, maybe they can still help! 
If you are looking to upgrade, Stop (read these posts). This is a statistics defying software update I've ever seen!

In fact, I feel that this software update has become a conspiracy. 

2 news files at the root of Zip file (Disk 3) 

Again, 2 new files along with main content - Date stamps reflect change. CRC is same for all files - no change. 

 

[pobrown]

15 hours ago, AtomAnt said:

The response was remarkable in two ways. One, I was told that this TSB is not official and shall not be issued to the dealers. And the dealers will be able to offer the upgrade mid-october, i.e. they are still waiting but it is close!  
He remarked that Lexus-tech is aware that a vast number of customers downloaded the software leading to mixed upgrade results. Where there is a total failure (bricked unit, i.e. system going in a perpetual loop), it is, unfortunately, a DCU replacement of circa £1500, i.e. not covered by the warranty.  
Now, where the MEU has been upgraded, and DCU failed at disk 3, i.e. you multimedia is working as expected but not connecting to Lexus connected services; there is a slight hope via the dealer network when the "final" software is released, it may fix the issue. (I used the term 'final' since I don't know what else to say)! 
I am baffled with this response, i.e. how can Lexus release a software update without any exhaustive testing. No one knows this answer neither was the person on the phone able address. 

 

Wow - really strange response.  If it isn't official (from a site that has Lexus copyright notices all over it), what exactly is it?

Sounds like some back-peddling is going on after finding their (Lexus) testing wasn't thorough enough.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Lexus make damn fine cars and the service from the dealers is amazing.  My biggest complaint with them has always been the poor implementation of the tech and poor use/communication using the internet.  They just don't seem to be able to get certain things right.

If Lexus.eu isn't 'official' then why does it exist and why has it fixed so many bugs in my system to date!

[Andy B]

7 minutes ago, pobrown said:

Wow - really strange response.  If it isn't official (from a site that has Lexus copyright notices all over it), what exactly is it?

Sounds like some back-peddling is going on after finding their (Lexus) testing wasn't thorough enough.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Lexus make damn fine cars and the service from the dealers is amazing.  My biggest complaint with them has always been the poor implementation of the tech and poor use/communication using the internet.  They just don't seem to be able to get certain things right.

If Lexus.eu isn't 'official' then why does it exist and why has it fixed so many bugs in my system to date!

I totally agree Phil. And just to add to what you said, they also charge you to download it. How can it not be "official"?

[Andy B]

I can only assume that they released the TSB "into the wild" a bit prematurely and are now trying to backtrack. 

[jbi507]

17 hours ago, AtomAnt said:

TSB is not official

I find this very surprising, lexus put their copyright software behind a paywall under the repair section and then call it unofficial. Sounds like 💩 and a means to keep the guys a the service centre busy. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying this software is for everyone to try without knowing the risk. But to call it unofficial 🙄

 

What next, don't do the map upgrade from the same website because its unofficial. 

[pobrown]

Interesting read of the new 'README' file in the download - I particularly like this part:

"This Retrofit Software is intended and made available only to technicians who have the necessary professional and technical skills, knowledge and qualifications, as well as the necessary equipment and tools."

So I'm guessing my degree in Computer Science and working with computers on a daily basis is less 'skilled' than a mechanic who has been on a half-day course on how to plug in three USB sticks.  

Whilst I appreciate that it is more likely the technicians/dealers will have access to more specialised equipment to potentially 'fix' a failed update, the issue remains that it shouldn't fail in the first place.  In my opinion a software upgrade should always be user accessible - it's not like we have to get a Microsoft engineer out to install Windows update is it?  Apple don't insist on a Genius Bar appointment to install an iOS update.  Hiding behind a warranty and threatening to make it invalid really isn't cool - all the cars that the update is valid for are less than 3 years old.  Apple CarPlay should have been standard on these cars years ago (The Toyota Aygo got it in early 2018) - Lexus just chose to delay implementing it.  If they don't want 'users' installing updates then why are they available to anyone who is happy to pay the €4 fee to access the site for an hour.

The whole README is pretty strong wording from Toyota/Lexus overall for something that apparently isn't official.

 

My family say that if you chopped my arm off it would say 'Lexus' through the core (just like Blackpool rock) as I've been such a big fan of the brand since getting my first IS in 2004 - I'm now on my 6th vehicle from the brand.  This whole update fiasco (even though it worked for me) along with other things that just don't work right are really putting me off the brand for my next car.   A real shame as the cars are fab - they just can't get the technical integration right.

 

 

[Steve44]

I'm pretty sure some of the motoring press might be interested in the backpedalling by Lexus and the issues raised in this thread......

[AtomAnt]

1 hour ago, Andy B said:

I can only assume that they released the TSB "into the wild" a bit prematurely and are now trying to backtrack. 

Love the conversation! I am equally baffled; I feel it should NOT have been released. 
Agree with every statement re: your responses above. I have seen it before; I am in Tech Industry (Software), and these things 'can' happen when a product version with bug(s) is released as GA code. Someone at Lexus Tech will be subjected to answers after publishing this TSB ( I hope so)!  

This is my 5th Lexus, own a CT & NX - I have no doubts in their R&D or processes, but this software update has been an utter joke. I am pretty sure someone from Lexus will be watching this thread, and if they are, they should remove the TSB to avoid further damage. 
At the end of the day, dealers are at the front line - they will be subjected to customer heat for failed systems. And each dealer will react and respond differently. Overall, the situation is disgusting. 

[AtomAnt]

44 minutes ago, pobrown said:

Whilst I appreciate that it is more likely the technicians/dealers will have access to more specialised equipment to potentially 'fix' a failed update, the issue remains that it shouldn't fail in the first place

Yes, should not fail in first place - imagine if it was an OTA update! 

[jumbojake]

sadly, I have seen this approach across the whole software industry.... years ago we would test to destruction, then release to the wild and find some obscure fault we never considered in test.  Now the world has followed the microsoft model of release early and capture those real life issues faster.... call it efficient if you like, but  the danger is brand damage as a result and a shame to see Lexus has again gone this way (remember the huge problem in the US a couple of years ago).

This is of course an official release, but it might be a 'beta' version, and when the dealers get it, some of these bugs will have been fixed, thanks to the keen techies out there playing with it first.  For me, from what I see across the software industry (my world is Telco), I would hold back on a new release (whatever the product)... lets them iron out bugs first.

[pobrown]

If enough people get impacted by this failed update, it could impact Lexus crown in terms of JD Power Survey / most reliable brand / best customer service / etc. 
 

[AtomAnt]

2 hours ago, pobrown said:

Wow - really strange response.  If it isn't official (from a site that has Lexus copyright notices all over it), what exactly is it?

Sounds like some back-peddling is going on after finding their (Lexus) testing wasn't thorough enough.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Lexus make damn fine cars and the service from the dealers is amazing.  My biggest complaint with them has always been the poor implementation of the tech and poor use/communication using the internet.  They just don't seem to be able to get certain things right.

If Lexus.eu isn't 'official' then why does it exist and why has it fixed so many bugs in my system to date!

I hear you - I relayed exact words that were shared. Maybe the term "unofficial" was a nervous laugh/response from the person on the other side (phone). 

BTW, I had the same reaction. 

You can see from the file comparison I did, and you quoted this in your response, i.e. the 'Readme file' has some stern language. It means they probably now know there is/could be an issue. So why put the customer on the chopping board and remove the TSB and release when thoroughly tested.

If it is a pilot, then it should not have gone public!