FORSCAN for the ignorant/Lazy....

[Tanker64]

I see many things that can be accomplished with FORSCAN that seem to be handy/useful.... However, I neither have nor now how to operate the equipment. So, for the unhandy among us:

A. How difficult is it to learn to use?
B. How expensive is the equipment? Is it Harbor freight level or Ford specific equipment?

OR do we recommend that we find someone with knowledge/equipment and pay them to change things?

Sub heading, anyone want to start a geographical list of trustworthy Maverick owners with a FORSCAN tool that would like to make some cash?

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[RichardCranium]

this is coming from an ignorant, hasn’t used forscan guy that I am.
From what I understand is that it is a program you run on your computer and connect through an obdII dongle.
There are a lot of posts on it here, and according to the forscan website, there is a free trial and it sounds like there are some easy modifications and some hard ones. I would read up on a lot of articles before doing it myself.

 

[snowcatxx87]

No offence - all your questions can be answered by self research and reading.

 

[EONR24]

So, Forscan is a computer OBD2 software that can scan and clear codes on your car's ECU. It can scan all the modules in your car unlike a regular cheap OBD2 reader. It can also edit the parameters for these modules to unlock or change things you other wise couldn't. FDRS is the FORD dealer software. Forscan can do most of what it can with the exception of some things KEY FOB related. Forscan is much cheaper than FDRS as well.

To use Forscan, you need a computer with WINDOWS Operating Software. You need to download Forscan and pay for a license. You also will need an ELM327 OBD2 cable to USB with a HS/MS Switch or a wireless one. Check out the Forscan Threads PINNED to the top of the Forscan section of these forums! Forscan lite app on your phone is cool too but it does not allow any CODING CHANGES. It only reads and clears DTC codes (check engine light).

 

[robbyrob]

how about I just pay someone to do it?

 

[ejgroth2620]

how about I just pay someone to do it?

Your dealer will do some modifications, but you'll probably pay too much.

 

[VegasRed]

I see many things that can be accomplished with FORSCAN that seem to be handy/useful.... However, I neither have nor now how to operate the equipment. So, for the unhandy among us:

A. How difficult is it to learn to use?
B. How expensive is the equipment? Is it Harbor freight level or Ford specific equipment?

OR do we recommend that we find someone with knowledge/equipment and pay them to change things?

Sub heading, anyone want to start a geographical list of trustworthy Maverick owners with a FORSCAN tool that would like to make some cash?

I see many things that can be accomplished with FORSCAN that seem to be handy/useful.... However, I neither have nor now how to operate the equipment. So, for the unhandy among us:

A. How difficult is it to learn to use?
B. How expensive is the equipment? Is it Harbor freight level or Ford specific equipment?

OR do we recommend that we find someone with knowledge/equipment and pay them to change things?

Sub heading, anyone want to start a geographical list of trustworthy Maverick owners with a FORSCAN tool that would like to make some cash?

Enter “Forescan tutorial “ in a Youtube search. Sit back and every question you asked will be answered.

 

[V-blue Mav]

I see many things that can be accomplished with FORSCAN that seem to be handy/useful.... However, I neither have nor now how to operate the equipment. So, for the unhandy among us:

A. How difficult is it to learn to use?
B. How expensive is the equipment? Is it Harbor freight level or Ford specific equipment?

OR do we recommend that we find someone with knowledge/equipment and pay them to change things?

Sub heading, anyone want to start a geographical list of trustworthy Maverick owners with a FORSCAN tool that would like to make some cash?

This might help.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/forscan-101-step-by-step-how-to-start-guide.7406/

 

[ClemsonU88]

No offence - all your questions can be answered by self research and reading.

I believe you meant no offense when you said it, so I'll respond in kind (with no offense meant). Aren't questions like his part of what forums are for?

You're correct, he could look up all of this info and maybe take 4 hours (a random guess) hunting for sites & researching, or spend 10 minutes reading the answers here. It makes more sense to save 3 hours & 50 minutes.

Is he wasting others' time by getting them to answer his question? A) Most people like being helpful and sharing knowledge they've acquired, and B) No one is forcing anyone to spend time answering.

Lastly, he may have searched for days and not found the helpful site someone linked in 30 seconds. Some people love searching for info...the thrill of the hunt. But some people like to get the answer without spending half a day looking for it. If no one else can answer, then they go on the informational hunt.

Hopefully this comes across as kindly as it's intended.

 

[Defconxzero]

new question for all you forscan Pros out there.
I want to turn on the "trailer tow backup lamps" in the 7 pin harness when i hit the cargo light button for additional lighting while loading/unloading. I studied the wiring diagrams and it looks like the easiest thing to do is add a diode jumper from the BCM pin72? cargo light wire to the pin66? wire going to the BJB which has the trailer tow backup lamp relay.
However this is seems like a brute force mechanical solution to something that seems like there might be a way to solve this digitally with the computer...

Is there a way to change the computer using forscan so that when cargo light button is pushed, power is sent out pin72 AND 66 of the c1035A connector on the BCM?
Thanks! @EONR24

 

[VicRattlehead]

So, Forscan is a computer OBD2 software that can scan and clear codes on your car's ECU. It can scan all the modules in your car unlike a regular cheap OBD2 reader. It can also edit the parameters for these modules to unlock or change things you other wise couldn't. FDRS is the FORD dealer software. Forscan can do most of what it can with the exception of some things KEY FOB related. Forscan is much cheaper than FDRS as well.

To use Forscan, you need a computer with WINDOWS Operating Software. You need to download Forscan and pay for a license. You also will need an ELM327 OBD2 cable to USB with a HS/MS Switch or a wireless one. Check out the Forscan Threads PINNED to the top of the Forscan section of these forums! Forscan lite app on your phone is cool too but it does not allow any CODING CHANGES. It only reads and clears DTC codes (check engine light).

Do not pay for a license. I’ve never paid for one and I’ve been using it for years

 

[VicRattlehead]

new question for all you forscan Pros out there.
I want to turn on the "trailer tow backup lamps" in the 7 pin harness when i hit the cargo light button for additional lighting while loading/unloading. I studied the wiring diagrams and it looks like the easiest thing to do is add a diode jumper from the BCM pin72? cargo light wire to the pin66? wire going to the BJB which has the trailer tow backup lamp relay.
However this is seems like a brute force mechanical solution to something that seems like there might be a way to solve this digitally with the computer...

Is there a way to change the computer using forscan so that when cargo light button is pushed, power is sent out pin72 AND 66 of the c1035A connector on the BCM?
Thanks! @EONR24

Never heard of anyone doing that. I’d say easiest way would be wiring the button to the 7pinplug

 

[VicRattlehead]

how about I just pay someone to do it?

$200/ hr I’ll do it

 

[fauxhican]

Do not pay for a license. I’ve never paid for one and I’ve been using it for years

Or, definitely pay for the license, to support the work that's been done to update that software for our uses, and to ensure you're able to revert or re-apply changes you've made before or after dealer service that might clear them. I didn't need to buy it, but it's $12 for a year, and I want it to be available for me, and other users, as the model years progress and new functions may be unlocked in the future.

 

[VicRattlehead]

Or, definitely pay for the license, to support the work that's been done to update that software for our uses, and to ensure you're able to revert or re-apply changes you've made before or after dealer service that might clear them. I didn't need to buy it, but it's $12 for a year, and I want it to be available for me, and other users, as the model years progress and new functions may be unlocked in the future.

I’m not paying the Russians

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