ForScan Tweaks - 2015+

[LokiWolf]

For $100 there's a plug in to the OBD2 port that takes no dash disassembly. Literal plug-n-play. Different module for 2018-19 and 2020-later. The Memorizer version seems most appropriate.

https://www.4dtech.com/expedition-18-19-start-stop-eliminator/

-- Chuck

Chuck, there are documented issues with that one. And if you use your OBDII for anything else, it is in the way. The recommended one, is definitely the plug in harness.

 

[LokiWolf]

Quick question regarding this damn auto start/stop:

If turned off via Forscan, it actually shuts down the BMS (Battery Monitoring System), which in turn disables auto start/stop! Now it certainly keeps your engine from stalling at all the stoplights, but here's the problem: With BMS offline, you'll get a warning message on every startup, and at about 30 mins into the trip. It says "Charging System Service Soon" in a bright red box.

Of course everyone in the car will quickly ask "hey - what's that big red warning message? Are we all gonna die?" Nice thing about a sterile cockpit is nobody except the crew sees such mess, but hey, this isn't a B757. So ask yourself if you can live with the BMS warnings popping up, or the auto engine shutdown? Wonder what other issues a disabled BMS will cause?

Anyone have a better method of turning off that **most stupid of all forced features** other than disabling the entire BMS?

Thanks!

Disabling BMS in general is a BAD idea. It exists for a reason. It varies the charging voltage sent to the battery and a few other things. When it is disabled, FULL output charging is sent to the battery at ALL times when the motor is running, because it knows no different. Anybody who knows anything about batteries can deduce why this is bad. It can greatly decrease the life of your battery. BMS also functions to normalize the voltage throughout the system. With sensitive electronics throughout the vehicle, this can also be bad because voltage drops/spikes will be greater and more often without BMS enabled.

I ABSOLUTELY HATE that people use this setting to disable Start/Stop. It really is not that bad. If you don't like it get the harness, or press the button, IT IS 1 BUTTON! It is not hard to press.

 

[airbrush]

It's too bad Ford doesn't allow you to program your screens the way you want them.

 

[LokiWolf]

It's too bad Ford doesn't allow you to program your screens the way you want them.

Huh? I have no issues seeing the data I want to see. It's not perfect, but it is there. Most people just don't care. They get in and drive them. People on this forum are part of the exception.

 

[guzzon]

Apologies for if the answer exists somewhere, but after lots of searching I haven't found anything:

I recently "downgraded" my suspension to non-CCD shocks/springs, and now get the expected error message at start up that the driver select suspension is disabled. It's not a big deal - all I need to do is hit OK, but it would be nice to turn off that message.

I have FORScan and have made a bunch of changes (bambi mode, DRLs, no double-honk on door close) thanks to this thread, but I haven't been able to figure out how to turn off CCD, so the vehicle isn't expecting it and throws the error message.

Has anyone figured out how to do this?

 

[jlines]

It seems the link for the 2015+ spreadsheet is no longer working. Does anyone else have the file?

 

[Langer]

Here’s what I have.

 

[star-art]

I recently "downgraded" my suspension to non-CCD shocks/springs, and now get the expected error message at start up that the driver select suspension is disabled. It's not a big deal - all I need to do is hit OK, but it would be nice to turn off that message.

Wish I could help, but as someone who would really love to *add" CCD suspension, could you tell me exactly which parts you replaced? For example, I knew the shocks were special for CCD, but I didn't know the springs were also different. Were there any other parts you had to replace?

Thanks!

 

[guzzon]

Wish I could help, but as someone who would really love to *add" CCD suspension, could you tell me exactly which parts you replaced? For example, I knew the shocks were special for CCD, but I didn't know the springs were also different. Were there any other parts you had to replace?

Thanks!

My mechanic did this for me, and he listed this Strutmasters part number:

2015-2017 Ford Expedition With CCD 4 Wheel Conversion Kit (FX44F) – 2014 Ford Expedition Air Suspension Conversion Kits | Struts | Suspension Parts – Strutmasters

Find the Strutmasters 2015-2017 Ford Expedition With CCD 4 Wheel Conversion Kit (FX44F) (FX44F.1) with free shipping on qualifying items at Strutmasters, the home of the original suspension conversion kit. Upgrade your vehicle and save time and money buying and even installing a suspension...

www.strutmasters.com

So yes, he did replace the springs along with the shocks. FWIW, MSRP for a single CCD spring/shock is only slightly less $$ than the entire kit

Here are the CCD shock part numbers for my '15 Limited:
ASH85848, ASH25847, AST24638, AST24639

From the diagrams you should be able to find all of the other parts needed including the springs, e.g.:

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/suspension/ride-control/shock-absorber-assy-7847977-1

 

[Dave711]

Wish there was a way to change how long the powered running boards stay out while in park.. I want them to stay out slightly longer so when loading kids in the backseat, I can shut the door and take a breath from the insanity before the steps retract. Seems like a bit of unnecessary wear on the components.

 

[catmandu]

I have tweaked my 2017 XLT, activating a Ford brake controller I installed, enabling remote start, etc. But now have a new issue. Sync Line In is failing me, both USB and BT. Dealer thinks an update will fix it, but local dealer has no availabiltiy until December, and next town over is scheduling in APRIL!

I have SYNC with MyFord, 4.2" display. Can FORSCAN update this module?

 

[LokiWolf]

I have tweaked my 2017 XLT, activating a Ford brake controller I installed, enabling remote start, etc. But now have a new issue. Sync Line In is failing me, both USB and BT. Dealer thinks an update will fix it, but local dealer has no availabiltiy until December, and next town over is scheduling in APRIL!

I have SYNC with MyFord, 4.2" display. Can FORSCAN update this module?

Never tried. I would check out the FORSCAN forums them selves and ask there. If you are on the F150Forums, look up Livnitup. Since the 150 also came with that version of Sync, he might have an idea. I have only dealt with the 6Inch and above display units for Sync3 and Sync4.

 

[balthisar]

I would check out the FORSCAN forums them selves and ask there.

I seems like we can't join the forum without buying a product, and we can't buy a product because they can't get paid, and they can't get paid because their leadership has chosen to invade an innocent country.

 

[seventieslord]

I'm new to all of this and was wondering if there's a "getting started" type thread that you may be able to direct me to.

I've had expys for a decade. A 2010 for 7 years, and then a 2018 for the last 2 years.

I have a cheap ELM327 OBD2 adapter that I've used for years on multiple cars using the Torque app. It's pretty much read-only but I've always liked it. I can see codes, clear codes, and view all sorts of gauges, monitor temperatures, etc.

But it has come to my attention that Ford mechanics use something called Forscan when I take my car in for expensive diagnostics, so I started googling whether it was possible to find something that duplicates their functionality for myself at home. Which led me to their homepage.

I've read up a lot on there and from what I can tell, the android version is essentially "read only" while the windows version allows you to actually make changes. Is that correct?

And though there are recommended adapters, they don't seem to fully rule out the possibility that my cheap ELM27 will work, can anyone comment on that?

I see that if I want to use the Windows version, there are two recommended adapters, Vgate vLinker FS, and the OBDLink MX+. Aside from the obvious (one being wired, one being bluetooth), what other benefits are there to spending considerably more money on the OBDLink MX+?

Is this the actual software that actual ford techs use at dealerships, or is it a sort of "bootleg" version of it?

It looks like all I have to do is buy an adapter for $35-$150, download the software and get a $19 extended licence and I'll be as functional as a ford tech at the dealership. Is that true? It just seems to good to be true, what am I missing here?

Lastly, assuming that is all true, I have the clicking mirrors problem that is described in TSB SSM47835. I believe that with Forscan, I'll have the ability to fix this myself. But I wouldn't know where to begin. There's new software or firmware that I have to flash to the module, but, like... where do I get that?

 

[LokiWolf]

The Dealers use FDRS, Not Forscan. Forscan has limited ability to flash/update modules and is written and supported by a 3rd party. They happen to be Russian, but a top notch group, and are just as upset about the invasion of Ukraine as most of us are...just a tidbit of info.

FDRS is a Ford product, it is expensive, and requires a fairly expensive adapter like the Mongoose brand cable.

FORSCAN does not support the Elm327 based devices anymore, and they haven't been recommended for YEARS.

I recommend the OBDLINK brand connection devices for use with FORSCAN, either the MX+(BT LE) or the EX(USB). You can do limited procedures but no coding from the mobile app with any adapter. You need the Windows based program for coding. Check out the first post in this thread for some basic info.

Also FYI this thread is more for the 2015-2017 Expeditions(Late Gen3), your 2018 is a Gen4.

 

[seventieslord]

The Dealers use FDRS, Not Forscan. Forscan has limited ability to flash/update modules and is written and supported by a 3rd party. They happen to be Russian, but a top notch group, and are just as upset about the invasion of Ukraine as most of us are...just a tidbit of info.

FDRS is a Ford product, it is expensive, and requires a fairly expensive adapter like the Mongoose brand cable.

FORSCAN does not support the Elm327 based devices anymore, and they haven't been recommended for YEARS.

I recommend the OBDLINK brand connection devices for use with FORSCAN, either the MX+(BT LE) or the EX(USB). You can do limited procedures but no coding from the mobile app with any adapter. You need the Windows based program for coding. Check out the first post in this thread for some basic info.

Also FYI this thread is more for the 2015-2017 Expeditions(Late Gen3), your 2018 is a Gen4.

Thank you. I believe I've found the correct thread further down this page, and I'll ask my questions in there now

 

[Kevin 16587]

Anybody ( @LokiWolf ) have experience deleting and programming Intelligent key fobs with push button ignition? I only got one factory key when I recently purchased my 2017 Limited used. I bought a couple of cheap Amazon key fobs and attempted to program them using the PATS programming. I understand it is a relatively new feature in version 2.3.56 of FORScan. The new keys do not work and now I've reached my limit of 4 keys. Lesson learned, and I now have two factory OEM key fobs on the way. I'm thinking I will need to delete all 4 programmed keys and start over, but I can't find any write ups or how to's. I've read through 95% of this thread and can't find any information on this. I'm reluctant to delete my one working factory key, but I'd also like to have more than one.

 

[LokiWolf]

Anybody ( @LokiWolf ) have experience deleting and programming Intelligent key fobs with push button ignition? I only got one factory key when I recently purchased my 2017 Limited used. I bought a couple of cheap Amazon key fobs and attempted to program them using the PATS programming. I understand it is a relatively new feature in version 2.3.56 of FORScan. The new keys do not work and now I've reached my limit of 4 keys. Lesson learned, and I now have two factory OEM key fobs on the way. I'm thinking I will need to delete all 4 programmed keys and start over, but I can't find any write ups or how to's. I've read through 95% of this thread and can't find any information on this. I'm reluctant to delete my one working factory key, but I'd also like to have more than one.

Sorry for the delayed response! I don't get on as often as I used to. Any luck?

I have added keys, but all when I already had 2 working factory keys. Sadly, you might need a dealer to accomplish this with FDRS.

 

[ESG406]

Want to add auto hi/lo beam control (similar to my 2021 F150 Powerboost) to my 2015 EXP EL. Best way? Suggestions.
Thanks,
Ed

 

[LokiWolf]

Want to add auto hi/lo beam control (similar to my 2021 F150 Powerboost) to my 2015 EXP EL. Best way? Suggestions.
Thanks,
Ed

What trim do you have? If you don't have the option in your menu, you don't most likely have the hardware.