forescan interface cable?

[racsan]

Wondering what the “best” interface cable to buy for use with forescan? -or does it matter? Ive not downloaded it to a laptop yet but am planning on it, I found a link in a older thread about a cable but its no longer valid, Id hate to buy the wrong one.

 

[JoshT]

I have and use the FORScan recommended OBDLink EX with my 1999 Ranger and 2000 F-250. Have not had a problem using it. There's really not much to use it for on those older vehicles, some limited diagnostics, a couple of settings that can be changed, and data loging.

Is this for your 2009 Escape? By then Ford had gone to CANbus on most/all of its vehicles, and allegedly a lot more can be done on them with FORScan. I can't say if this cable will support all of the protocols for that, but according to the manufacturer website it will. "Supports all Ford protocols, modules, and advanced features of FORScan."

Others are available, that's just the one that I have and have experience with.

 

[racsan]

Yes, my ‘09 escape , a couple “adjustments “ Id like to make, plus I plan on having another ford truck eventually, weather its a full-size or ranger. Also have a ‘11 escape (her ride, work commuter mostly).

 

[sgtsandman]

Your best bet is to go with the connectors recommended on the forscan web site. Others will work. Some support full functionality and others not, from what I've read. So, the safe bet is to go with what the site recommends.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Your best bet is to go with the connectors recommended on the forscan web site. Others will work. Some support full functionality and others not, from what I've read. So, the safe bet is to go with what the site recommends.

Which is the one that was suggested by @JoshT

 

[Roert42]

The OBDX Cable and the vLinker FS cable are both recommended by Forscan

The Bluetooth ones are ok for diagnostic work, but they should be avoided if you plan to modify any of the modules same with the no name brands on Amazon. If you loose connection will writing data it can brick the module.


I believe the vLinker FS is designed to be able to program newer ECMs, extra wiring in the connector that other cables don't have.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I just had to look at those links...

When I bought my OBDLINK MX cable it "was" the only recommended cable. That vLinker is now on the ForScan recommended list. Cheaper too.

 

[sgtsandman]

Which is the one that was suggested by @JoshT

It sounds right.

 

[racsan]

thanks, I know very little about this tech-y stuff. Prefer the old-school stuff but it is what it is. And my escape isnt even the “latest & greatest “.

 

[SenorNoob]

I have a vLinker here and haven't found anything it can't do. I just used it a couple weeks ago to get a friend from work the code to his keypad. It was bought to read the ABS module on an 04 Mustang. Another friend from work used it to modify almost everything on his wife's 2011 Explorer.

 

[bobbywalter]

thanks, I know very little about this tech-y stuff. Prefer the old-school stuff but it is what it is. And my escape isnt even the “latest & greatest “.

the obd link mx is what i used at your house. i have been through several they are fragile. i ordered a linker...dont know why it hasnt showed up yet

 

[Broosedamoose]

The OBDLink EX is what I use for all programming but I also have the OBDLink MX+ that I use with the app on my phone for code reading and viewing live data. The MX+ is also good for data logging because there are no cable in the way. Both of these are recommended by Forscan. Like others have mentioned though, always use a wired connection when programming.