Forscan
Anybody know of a good tutorial for using this software?
I think he's talking about the Ford scanner tool, forscan.org/home.html and should probably be referred to their own support site.. forscan.org/forum
That is the same of the ford software. I have used it some, but im not well versed. I will help if i can.
David nothing specific.I just bought and down loaded the software to use with my j-box.Most of the youtube videos are amateurs enabling small features on there vehicles.I know about the website bill thanks. I am waiting for approval so my forum access is limited.I just figured i try to do some research for other resources in the mean time.
So for the most part you can look at data, pull codes, change as-built data. It wont do keys (atleast ones that require nastf or dealer login). Once you get forum access, you can request a free licence, usually 2mo, or pay $50 for a lifetime license. That enables you to actually program the as built. The non licensed version only reads codes and data. I havent tried programming a new module…
Supposedly the newest beta version allows for updates?
diag.net/file/f49zwqsbt…
tyler you’ll have to let us know if you try it! I bought forscan also but we have another tech at the shop with ids so he gets the ford updates and what not
Thanks for posting that, David. I never realized there was limited ability without a fee. I might finally get to replace a RCM out here in month or two, and I was gonna try Forscan if my NGS doesn't work.
You can request a 2-month free trial and you'll have access to all it's features. forscan.org/download.html A one year license is $10. A Ford VCM1 or 2 will work as an interface (VCI) or buy this, amazon.com/stores/page/A5….
Thanks DB. Last I researched, any basic J-2534 would work too, so I'll try that before buying anything new. My AE interface is (really) an ELM device, too, so I think that might work too. But I put that Amazon one in my cart for a reminder. I'm more excited about trying my N.O.S. NGS XL than anything...LOL
I believe you are correct about the J device as an interface. I tried my Autel J device with Forscan and I connected just fine today with a Ford. BTW, my cheap $10.99 ebay Bluetooth ELM connects, but I never trusted it. I used it the first I tried Forscan and I could not believe it worked, so I figured something must be wrong. Yet, it did work and saved the day late one evening.
Good stuff, thanks DB. Maybe we'll get really lucky and that FORScan guy's wife will buy a Dodge next, and he'll crack FCA. :-)
Cool! Can it alter VIN and option configs like FORscan is purported to do?
I just got it and haven't had much of a chance to play with it yet. It is supposed to be the equivalent of Forscan for Chrysler, It will only read CAN based vehicles and you can only read one module at a time, also it doesn't support J2534 so you have to buy a cable, This is the one that I use smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08… It works with Forscan also.
J2534 list—-poped up on itself for me —with all these Adapters Compatible (( i used this laptop for Reprograming maybe it sniffed drivers i stalled on laptop ——but i have CarDaqPlus3 from DrewTech—-it worked Perfectly with ForScan (i was able to do AsBuiltData for ABS and do ABS Calibrations —-where SnapOn Zeus and JFDS OE subscription—wasnt able to get it done!!!!!!!!! ) im pre surprised…
I would not use it for New or OEM reman module installation. sometimes there are things OEM software does behind the scenes to bring a new module into service. I have been able to use it to force asbuilt for used modules and verify that the data was written. The programming feature is for updating module calibration. On my personal vehicle I have updated modules through IDS and saw update…
I believe Chris Snyder nailed it -- I have largely just experimented with Forscan the past four years, was a little concerned/suspect as the software originates in Russia (home to some of more active hackers on the planet), believe it has the potential to brick modules, and to be honest I'd avoid using it on any / all newer Ford vehicles.
I have the forscan but haven't used it much. SY Diagnostics on YouTube have some videos on it that might help.
There are tutorials, but none of them are really 'good', IMO. I've learned mostly through trial and error.
There are some tutorials on FORScan itself, but trial and error has been my teacher thus far. A better question is "what are you trying to do?" Because if you are simply trying to read DTC or live data, it operates fairly similar to AUTEL or other generic scan tools. Programming is a different story and there is an excel based matrix on the FORScan website that has all of the module addresses…