Forscan Adapter

[1997XLTRollover]

Hey guys, I have the below adapter and I went to try to hook it up and Forscan won't read it. I have no idea how Forscan works but I clicked connect and it doesn't find the adapter. Is this the wrong adapter to use? I plug the adapter in and see a red LED on it, then turn the key to run and click connect and the connection fails.



http://www.lightinthebox.com/mini-v...?currency=USD&litb_from=paid_adwords_shopping

 

[Flash]

I sometimes have that problem with Torque finding the adapter.

I don't know what to do about it.

You did go through all the Bluetooth pairing properly didn't you?

 

[boominXplorer]

Forscan is pretty basic unless you have a 02+ Ford. I hooked it up in my ranger (97 year drivetrain) and it's a basic obd2 scanner. I hook it up to my 07 Focus I can program keys, read and test modules and so on.

 

[SoHK_alumni]

Forscan is fairly restrictive (or limited) on known working OBD2 adapters.

Plus, many of the newer adapters won't talk to the earlier OBD2 protocols so finding a perfect fit that Forscan likes and can talk to a 1st gen Ford OBD2 system is hit or miss.

The good news, the Forscan site has a list of known working adapters (but none are the cheap $20 ones!)

 

[1997XLTRollover]

I sometimes have that problem with Torque finding the adapter.

I don't know what to do about it.

You did go through all the Bluetooth pairing properly didn't you?

No haha. I have no idea what I'm doing and I couldn't find anything on Forscans site on the initial setup. What do I have to do to initially set this up?

BTW the only one I see on their site as known working is "OBDLink SX (STN1100 chipset)" which looks like it's not bluetooth. Is this the only known working one? Does anyone else have a 96 V8 that they have had good luck with a certain adapter?

 

[Flash]

The link in your first post is to a Bluetooth adapter, the link in your last post is to a wired adapter.

Have you ever hooked up a Bluetooth earpiece to your phone?
You have to connect the ELM327 adapter the same way.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

The link in your first post is to a Bluetooth adapter, the link in your last post is to a wired adapter.

Have you ever hooked up a Bluetooth earpiece to your phone?
You have to connect the ELM327 adapter the same way.

Nope haha I'll google it. Thanks.

BTW The wired adapter I linked is the only one I saw as working with Forscan. That's why I was confused as to which one will work with it. I'll see if I can figure out how to pair the Bluetooth device tonight and try this again.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Ok so I got my bluetooth working. But Forscan won't support my adapter. Does anyone have any advice on a Bluetooth adapter that will actually worth with Forscan?

 

[gatzdon]

I use ScanTool's OBDLink MX Bluetooth

http://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-426101-OBDLink-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B006NZTZLQ

Works like a charm, especially with Forscan Lite on my Android phone. Pulls ALL the extended DTC's and PID values from my 2000 Ex and 1998 Escort.

That said, I originally had Scantool's Wifi version of the same reader and it was a complete Piece of $H!t. So you can't even go by manufacturer for similar models when picking one out.

I personally am not looking for ability to push changes/code into the vehicle, but if you are, then you are further limited in model readers will work.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

I use ScanTool's OBDLink MX Bluetooth

http://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-426101-OBDLink-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B006NZTZLQ

Works like a charm, especially with Forscan Lite on my Android phone. Pulls ALL the extended DTC's and PID values from my 2000 Ex and 1998 Escort.

That said, I originally had Scantool's Wifi version of the same reader and it was a complete Piece of $H!t. So you can't even go by manufacturer for similar models when picking one out.

I personally am not looking for ability to push changes/code into the vehicle, but if you are, then you are further limited in model readers will work.

What's the difference between the MX 426801 and 426101?

Also as far as pushing code what would this allow me to do? Would it allow mt to turn systems off such as the EVAP that seems to never stop leaking so I can shut off my CE light?

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Found this. Pretty interesting read but if these are the kind of changes we are talking about, then no I don't want to mess with that. I see enough Hex strings at work. I don't have to see that garbage after work haha. I have better things to do too than play with code doing silly things like that as cool as it may be.



https://theksmith.com/software/hack-vehicle-bus-cheap-easy-part-1/

 

[1997XLTRollover]

AH HA! Looks like one is wifi and one is bluetooth.

 

[gatzdon]

AH HA! Looks like one is wifi and one is bluetooth.

Answered your own question.

I've seen people do simple stuff that probably doesn't scare me too much like push a firmware update or control individual solenoids for testing. I believe Forscan can do most of what Ford's IDS can do. I know people can even wipe and program new keys for PATS.

I have also seen people make configuration changes that Ford doesn't even let the technicians make. I know in the Focus forums, they were falling all over themselves for being able to roll all the windows down from their key fob.

That said, I stick to the simple troubleshooting stuff like pulling DTC's from every module in the vehicle to accessing PID values in real time. For me, that has been more than adequate to diagnose what ails my Ford vehicles.

 

[SoNic67]

I did play with controlling the ABS solenoids and ABS pump... it is a little weird at first to select and activate the PIDs but it does work.

 

[2000StreetRod]

no smart phone

I don't have a smart cell phone. In fact I used to have an analog cell phone because it worked better in the woods when I was eagle watching. I eventually was forced to upgrade to a digital cell phone because my service would no longer support the analog one.

Does Forscan only work with cell phones or can I use it with my Wi-Fi laptop?

 

[ccm2001]

Ive ordered 3 diffrent cheapy types off ebay and non work in my 03 ford. But work in other carsa like nissan etc :s
Bludriver and Lemur work fine but they are 100$

 

[1998Exp]

For what it's worth: I purchased the BAFX OBD2 Bluetooth adapter ($23 on Amazon), and it works perfectly in my '98 Explorer. So far only tried it with Torque, so can't say whether it'll work with Forscan or not.
Saves me the hassle of carrying the laptop-based, much more expensive scanner when traveling long distance. Incidentally, it also works very well in my newer Kia with a CAN bus.

Ive ordered 3 diffrent cheapy types off ebay and non work in my 03 ford. But work in other carsa like nissan etc :s
Bludriver and Lemur work fine but they are 100$

 

[Flash]

I've got 2 different cheapies that I got from some China place, both work with Torque on the Explorer and Touareg.

I just got them for reading codes which they do fine as well as all the other Torque functions.

 

[SoNic67]

Does Forscan only work with cell phones or can I use it with my Wi-Fi laptop?

Forscan works better with a laptop. If your laptop doesn't have bluetooth, you can get a ELM model with WiFi or a corded one (USB).
Just don't get models that say "ver 2.1" - it didn't work for me.
If you want something that works 100%, this is sure to work, but it requres bluetooth:
http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1GZDSSD9MB2ZDFEBJBEF
http://www.amazon.com/Avantree-Blue...-2-spons&keywords=bluetooth+usb+adapter&psc=1

 

[supermidget]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EQ57BE8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_1upBwb6XHNHA4

I have this one and it has worked fine with every app ive tried in multiple vehicles mostly using torque but forcan lite works fine on my 99 Explorer aswell.