OBD advise for MY 97-2004

[kkayan]

Hello,

I am an enthusiast and a fan of old suvs. My friends also have Explorer workshop specialized on models between 1997-2004. They have some kind of cheap OBD tool to diagnose and read faults but we need a more serious one with programming capabilities if possible.

I have made a search from internet and found Forscan combined with OBDLink MX+. Unfortunately I could not find any kind of datasheet for the second generation explorers in Forscan.

I wonder how can we handle these kind of operations? I am not sure if we can tune ECUs through OBD port or these model years can be programmed or not. Our preference is to use BT connection over phone but we can also use PC connection if needed in some cases.

If you have any suggestions, I will be glad to hear them.

Cheers.
Kaan

 

[410Fortune]

You need forscan, cable (or dongle) and a windows based pc or laptop in order to take advantage of what forscan can do w a ford

 

[J_C]

You might want to check in Forscan's forum, but I don't think you can do module programming on '97 thru '04 with Forscan, and Forscan can't program a PCM/ECU aka "Tune" on anything, AFAIK. I could be wrong, here is some reading:

How to update module firmware with FORScan - FORScan forum

Ford ECUs - pcmhacking.net

If you could, it would require the windows version on a PC, not the lite version on a phone, and might require an adapter dongle with enough memory to set larger command sets than the typical ELM327 dongles. I don't know if OBDLink MX+ has enough memory.

 

[410Fortune]

What is available for tuning these pcms these days? Sct?
Forscan can program pats keys not sure about much else that gives advantage over a “normal” shop obd scanner

I ask because I’m not always up on it

Google Search

 

[J_C]

I don't know the specifics of what will work besides a dealer's programming tool, but the guys in that 2nd link I posted, should.

 

[kkayan]

Thank you very much for your comments and advises. I have decided to proceed with Vgate Vlinker FS (vLinker FS USB) + Forscan to see what we can do with these oldies.