ForScan Tweaks - 2015+

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m3olsen

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Hello all, thank you for this great thread. In hopes of contributing for those that come across this and to continue the development, let me share what I’ve done, offer some confirmations, and ask some questions. I did read the entire 62 pages of thread, and also found the following tutorial (found from F150 forum if I remember right) to be extremely helpful: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-8dKaS_Spu4Zw4hV_CrKC4tLoP9G8yejqegF1wxIqxY/edit?usp=sharing

First issue: Attempting to be very diligent, I planned to both download my as built files from Ford, and planned to back up each module manually before making any changes. I tried on two different pc’s, and the link in cell C1 of our spreadsheet does not take me to the right place. I searched around a bunch and found where I needed to get to: https://www.motorcraftservice.com/asbuilt . Not sure why the link only takes us to a home page – maybe that can get updated?

I did put a trickle charger on the battery before starting because I anticipated doing some fumbling around. I wasted a bunch of time because I didn’t think the back ups were working – I expected the progress bar to shuttle across the screen like I saw it do in tutorials (when writing), and then started troubleshooting and thinking I had Admin rights issues or something odd. Did a second install on a second laptop – same thing. Finally went back and watched tutorial video nested in the link above, and sure enough no progress bar when you back up – my bad. On to programming.

To date, I have (in order on spreadsheet):
Disabled double honk (not tested by me yet)
Added bambii mode (tested)
Turned off fog dash indicator (tested)
Added fog lights as DRL (tested – on in anything but Park, on with parking lights, turn off with low beams on but I can turn back on with fog light switch)
Added DRL option on instrument cluster (doesn’t appear to work for me – more on this below*)
Added navigation in motion (tested)
Disabled seat belt chime (not tested by me yet)
Changed lane change flashes to 4 (worked fine – since my ? was a 6, I chose the first digit choice for 4 (8), and both lane change and turn signal worked correctly as desired)

And yes for those of you new and not reading all 62 pages:
You do need a Forscan extended license (which you self-issue through a link on the Forscan/ download page, and will expire in 2 months)
You program while ignition is ON but engine not running
Your running boards turn off each time you do a programming session (re-enable them through left dash screen vehicle settings when done)
You do need a tool with both MS-CAN and HS-CAN to access all modules in our model (I chose USB for data transfer safety and manually switchable to save money – Forscan will prompt you when to switch back and forth to get into the module you are trying to access).

After all that, I just want to say thank you again to all the people in this forum who have gotten the project this far. As others have mentioned it’s a bummer we are missing some of the modules that other models have, but it is what it is. I have a few wants/ desires but will do more research before posting questions here. My only opportunity/ questions are the motorcraft as built link I mentioned above, and:

*Confusion about DRL light on instrument cluster mod (row 20 of current spreadsheet) - what is the note in cell D20 explaining “NOTE: still greyed out, but displays DRL option thru Advanced Settings--Vehicle—Lighting”? I had a grayed out DRL checkbox row before under Autolamp settings, and still do now after the change to Enable in IPC 720-02-01. I cannot toggle down and enable or disable the box with my steering wheel arrows. Should I be able to? I would LOVE to be able to toggle my DRLs without having to go through programming. Thanks in advance for any input.

Finally, anybody know of other spreadsheets that apply to our gen Expy, or is the spreadsheet referenced in this forum topic THE accumulation of tested mods for 2015-2017 Expy’s (and second tab for 2018)? From Post #601 - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iO4Uz1shNRwZv5gi2TKARDo2Y7lfSOMFj6Gott8g7yg/edit?usp=sharing
 

m3olsen

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From what I've read, Chuck, you may lose the Sirius Travel services built into the map (assuming your subscription is still active). I believe you can still access the Sirius Travel content through Apps in Sync. However, I'm not the best to answer as I haven't even owned mine for a month yet, haven't hit 1,000 miles on the odometer yet, and haven't taken a trip to see what the navigation does. I don't travel through major cities often so wasn't worried about traffic warnings - more concerned about being able to search for something while underway (from passenger seat, of course). I did confirm after the mod that I can type in an address search while underway.

FYI, I performed this mod in my 08 Nav a long time ago, different path there. You did a hack one time that gave you access to a hidden button on Security screen that would get you to a menu where you could turn off Driving Restrictions. Had to do that every time you started the ignition and needed the functionality.

Anybody who has experience with functionality of Sirius and Sync3 navigation before and after the mod, please feel free to chime in. I'm just sharing what I've read.
 

chuck s

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A bit too "nanny" for me. I've seen GPS with a warning that could be ignored and never reappear, but having to pull over and stop to enter an address is absurd especially since voice recognition isn't that good so pressing the "keys" is often the only way to do this.

Would also help of the map itself was accurate to later than 2015. Heck both my Garmins had their maps updated two or three times since I bought this new truck last July and zero map updates for the Ford. And folks wonder why one of the Garmins is still on the dash board when I have built in GPS. :)

-- Chuck
 
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LokiWolf

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Would also help of the map itself was accurate to later than 2015. Heck both my Garmins had their maps updated two or three times since I bought this new truck last July and zero map updates for the Ford. And folks wonder why one of the Garmins is still on the dash board when I have built in GPS. :)

This is not uncommon! Most manufactures do not keep their Map data up to date very often. Go on a VW forum, and read you will see MANY complaints. Also, you can now get an update for Sync 3 Nav Systems. You need to go to your local Part counter, they need the VIN and a serial number from the radio. They then order the update. Supposedly it is locked to your radio. Haven’t gotten my hands on one yet so I can break it down.

In addition there is this thing called Car Play or Android Auto. Both work with Sync3 and give you live Maps.

I have played with and used MANY mass produced car infotainment systems and Sync 3 is one of the better ones. UConnect(Dodge) isn’t far behind, but GM’s System is not good at all! They all have there issues, Ford has kept up with Sync 3(Slower than we like) and added features.
 
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LokiWolf

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A bit too "nanny" for me. I've seen GPS with a warning that could be ignored and never reappear, but having to pull over and stop to enter an address is absurd especially since voice recognition isn't that good so pressing the "keys" is often the only way to do this.

This is also pretty common, and normal on most vehicle GPS systems.

By turning the, “Navigation in Motion” feature on you are disabling the channel that feeds vehicle speed to the APIM. Some other manufacturers tweaks just up the Speed threshold. To disable it in Sync, you do the opposite, no channel is interpreted as Zero, so it works. It prevents E911, Some Travel Link, and affects dead reckoning for GPS. If you lose GPS in a tunnel or heavy trees you lose progress because it can’t make a judgement call based on speed and direction.

I typically chose my destination before I start driving and set favorites for regular destinations. Also, again, I just use Car Play.
 

rcompart

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Not true on the vss PID being feed to the APIM. The coding is actually letting you do everything because it it programmed to allow use in motion in EU countries. When you enable it, you will notice that the speed limit sign changes to the standardized EU square white sign with red circle around the speed. Only feature so far that I can tell is lost is the 911-Assist.
 
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LokiWolf

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Not true on the vss PID being feed to the APIM. The coding is actually letting you do everything because it it programmed to allow use in motion in EU countries. When you enable it, you will notice that the speed limit sign changes to the standardized EU square white sign with red circle around the speed. Only feature so far that I can tell is lost is the 911-Assist.

What year vehicle are you on?
 
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LokiWolf

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Not true on the vss PID being feed to the APIM. The coding is actually letting you do everything because it it programmed to allow use in motion in EU countries. When you enable it, you will notice that the speed limit sign changes to the standardized EU square white sign with red circle around the speed. Only feature so far that I can tell is lost is the 911-Assist.

Also, it definitely in a 2017 affects Nav where GPS signal is lost.

Also 911 assist is a big deal. It called the Police for my wife when she was in an accident that totaled our 2015. Not going to lose that feature just to gain a little convenience. Again, Use Car Play or Android Auto, and all these issues go away. Maps are up to date, and in motion Nav works.
 

17LimitedExpy

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Hello all, thank you for this great thread. In hopes of contributing for those that come across this and to continue the development, let me share what I’ve done, offer some confirmations, and ask some questions. I did read the entire 62 pages of thread, and also found the following tutorial (found from F150 forum if I remember right) to be extremely helpful: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-8dKaS_Spu4Zw4hV_CrKC4tLoP9G8yejqegF1wxIqxY/edit?usp=sharing

First issue: Attempting to be very diligent, I planned to both download my as built files from Ford, and planned to back up each module manually before making any changes. I tried on two different pc’s, and the link in cell C1 of our spreadsheet does not take me to the right place. I searched around a bunch and found where I needed to get to: https://www.motorcraftservice.com/asbuilt . Not sure why the link only takes us to a home page – maybe that can get updated?

I did put a trickle charger on the battery before starting because I anticipated doing some fumbling around. I wasted a bunch of time because I didn’t think the back ups were working – I expected the progress bar to shuttle across the screen like I saw it do in tutorials (when writing), and then started troubleshooting and thinking I had Admin rights issues or something odd. Did a second install on a second laptop – same thing. Finally went back and watched tutorial video nested in the link above, and sure enough no progress bar when you back up – my bad. On to programming.

To date, I have (in order on spreadsheet):
Disabled double honk (not tested by me yet)
Added bambii mode (tested)
Turned off fog dash indicator (tested)
Added fog lights as DRL (tested – on in anything but Park, on with parking lights, turn off with low beams on but I can turn back on with fog light switch)
Added DRL option on instrument cluster (doesn’t appear to work for me – more on this below*)
Added navigation in motion (tested)
Disabled seat belt chime (not tested by me yet)
Changed lane change flashes to 4 (worked fine – since my ? was a 6, I chose the first digit choice for 4 (8), and both lane change and turn signal worked correctly as desired)

And yes for those of you new and not reading all 62 pages:
You do need a Forscan extended license (which you self-issue through a link on the Forscan/ download page, and will expire in 2 months)
You program while ignition is ON but engine not running
Your running boards turn off each time you do a programming session (re-enable them through left dash screen vehicle settings when done)
You do need a tool with both MS-CAN and HS-CAN to access all modules in our model (I chose USB for data transfer safety and manually switchable to save money – Forscan will prompt you when to switch back and forth to get into the module you are trying to access).

After all that, I just want to say thank you again to all the people in this forum who have gotten the project this far. As others have mentioned it’s a bummer we are missing some of the modules that other models have, but it is what it is. I have a few wants/ desires but will do more research before posting questions here. My only opportunity/ questions are the motorcraft as built link I mentioned above, and:

*Confusion about DRL light on instrument cluster mod (row 20 of current spreadsheet) - what is the note in cell D20 explaining “NOTE: still greyed out, but displays DRL option thru Advanced Settings--Vehicle—Lighting”? I had a grayed out DRL checkbox row before under Autolamp settings, and still do now after the change to Enable in IPC 720-02-01. I cannot toggle down and enable or disable the box with my steering wheel arrows. Should I be able to? I would LOVE to be able to toggle my DRLs without having to go through programming. Thanks in advance for any input.

Finally, anybody know of other spreadsheets that apply to our gen Expy, or is the spreadsheet referenced in this forum topic THE accumulation of tested mods for 2015-2017 Expy’s (and second tab for 2018)? From Post #601 - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iO4Uz1shNRwZv5gi2TKARDo2Y7lfSOMFj6Gott8g7yg/edit?usp=sharing


Let me try to answer a few of your questions/comments:

First, I tried the link to the 'As-Built' on the spreadsheet and it takes me to the webpage for entering your VIN...what happens when you try it? Can anyone else attempt to access the 'As-Built' link on the spreadsheet and report back?

Second, the note about the DRL option: some vehicles do not have the DRL option listed...this shows the DRL option, but it is still greyed out and not accessible, until you do more changes (which are ??).

Third, if you find a better spreadsheet or more codes for our Expy's please pass that info on. I've spent many hours going through and reading the posts on this Forum looking for any FORScan codes that have been confirmed to work on our Gen of Expy's. I'm always looking for constructive feedback from the Forum members to make this spreadsheet better/easier for all of us.
 
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