Forscan?

[rusty ol ranger]

I hear this program mentioned everywhere.

Im wondering if i should look into it incase i have issues down the road with my superduty or the wifes fusion.

1- What is it exactly?
2- What equipment do i need?
3-Where do i get it/cost?
4- How much trouble could i get in with it as far as screwing things up with my limited tech knowledge of newer vehicles?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It's free for a windows PC/laptop

You need some way for it to talk to your vehicle. I like cords, I have a Bluetooth adapter and it drops connection sometimes.

I used it to diagnose a tricky coil on my 02 f-150, I haven't had a reason to use it before or since.

 

[Roert42]

I made a couple posts going into detail about it somewhere. I think they are stickied.


Essentially it’s a bootleg version of fords software mainly used for diagnostics. On newer vehicles there are also abilities to make minor changes to the models programs.
The software itself is free, you just need the OBDII to usb cable, that’s about $30.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It's free for a windows PC/laptop

You need some way for it to talk to your vehicle. I like cords, I have a Bluetooth adapter and it drops connection sometimes.

I used ut to diagnose a tricky coil on my 02 f-150, I haven't had a reason to use it before or since.

I made a couple posts going into detail about it somewhere. I think they are stickied.


Essentially it’s a bootleg version of fords software mainly used for diagnostics. On newer vehicles there are also abilities to make minor changes to the models programs.
The software itself is free, you just need the OBDII to usb cable, that’s about $30.

So it sounds like a decent used laptop and a cord to possibly save myself hundreds in a dealer visit?

I might do this

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So it sounds like a decent used laptop and a cord to possibly save myself hundreds in a dealer visit?

I might do this

Pretty much. You can use a smart phone or tablet, but if you need to program keys at any point, you’ll want a laptop and wired connection.

There are two recommended cables. I used some no-name brand cable for years and it works, but it doesn’t have the CAN/BUS ability that’s needed with newer stuff so I bought one of the recommended cables more recently.

There is a lot you can do with it, with viewing live data and all. If you don’t get the extended license (free for a couple months at a time or you can pay for a year, it’s cheap though), there’s nothing you can mess up. The extended license gets you in to do keys and edit things, but all you have to do is exercise some caution in those areas.

I first got it when I got my green Ranger and one key that sometimes tripped the anti-theft. Dealer wanted $110 plus a key, local locksmith wanted $80 to program and $60 a key. I bought a used key machine, some key blanks, and the cable to hook up my laptop. Cost me about the same, but I’m now able to make keys on my own for about $20 each for everything I own with a chip.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Pretty much. You can use a smart phone or tablet, but if you need to program keys at any point, you’ll want a laptop and wired connection.

There are two recommended cables. I used some no-name brand cable for years and it works, but it doesn’t have the CAN/BUS ability that’s needed with newer stuff so I bought one of the recommended cables more recently.

There is a lot you can do with it, with viewing live data and all. If you don’t get the extended license (free for a couple months at a time or you can pay for a year, it’s cheap though), there’s nothing you can mess up. The extended license gets you in to do keys and edit things, but all you have to do is exercise some caution in those areas.

I first got it when I got my green Ranger and one key that sometimes tripped the anti-theft. Dealer wanted $110 plus a key, local locksmith wanted $80 to program and $60 a key. I bought a used key machine, some key blanks, and the cable to hook up my laptop. Cost me about the same, but I’m now able to make keys on my own for about $20 each for everything I own with a chip.

Im not really intersted in editing things and such. Just want the diagnostic side more then anything. I just didnt want to accidently delete the ECM or something

 

[SenorNoob]

If you really wanna get "in the trenches" with it, I've heard of it being used with a radio from a newer model to do a SYNC system upgrade...

The VGate Vlinker can be used with the Torque app on android and read any OBD2 compatible car. (I've read live data from Brittney's Nissan Versa.) It's just capable of MUCH more with a laptop on Fords.

 

[Roert42]

It’s nice to be able to turn if TPMS when they die or if you have multiple sets of wheels, ect. Or you can change the set point incase you don’t like the factory set point.

Here is the thread I made with instructions on how to use it. Some good details in there. Not much on the diagnostics side since I have not used it much for that.

Using Forscan to Modify As Built Data

This will be a step by step on how to access and change As Built data using Forscan. -You will need a Windows Laptop with Forscan installed with the extended License. The Forscan website has all the details about how to install the software and extended license, you can do everything for free...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Roert42]

I have also used it to chart the input from my WSS because I was having an intermittent issue with one.

Figured out the input was dropping pulses randomly