FDRS or Forscan for Ford F-150?
VXDIAG VCX NANO Ford/VCX SE/VCX FD Ford interface is compatible with both Forscan and FDRS software. What software to start with?
Both software have their place and you should use the one best suited for each job.
FORScan is great for making config changes/mods to settings as you’ve already figured out. You can reset various modules (including GWM) via FORScan. You can make changes with forscan, including Bambi mode, removed the “full screen not available”, removed the double horn honk, enable cameras at speed, change the tire size and more. Forscan lite (IOS or android) does not support editing asbuilt data of any modules. If you want to edit asbuild data you have to do it with forscan on a windowsn computer with the free trial extended license or the paid extended license.
FDRS is a better troubleshooting, diagnostics and firmware update tool … it’s an OEM tool designed to do exactly that. FORScan can technically upgrade firmware but seems to lag behind on versions and complete module support based on my experience. It’s also harder to figure out whether you really need an update. In FDRS, you just click the sw updates tab and it shows everything you need to update and you mash the run button. You still have to subscribe to another service get workshop and wiring diagrams and lastly FDRS is a bit of a “snitch”. It logs everything you do to Ford backend servers. It is supposed to perform when replacing a malfunctioning module with a new one. It takes the as-built configuration from the server and writes it onto a new module.
If you don’t want to spring for the Rotunda, Cardaq or Mongoose interfaces, you can also use a VXDiag VCX FD. It’s about $200 with the Ford/Mazda license and you can also add licenses for other OEM’s if you want. I updated my 2024 truck this week because it wasn’t getting OTA and had some TSB’s I was dealing with.
It was worth a try to use the upgraded VXDiag VCX FD, especially considering some of the riskier and more expensive modules like APIM use a USB to load and flash the software anyway.
VXDIAG VCX FD SPS2 Security Access Failure Solution
Problem:
One of our customers got the VXDIAG VCX FD unit without license and set up the vcx fd as a J2534 passthru for Techline Connect SPS2.
But he had no luck with SPS2 programming.
Error:
E4492: Cyber Security Access Failure
E4423: Unknown
reprogramming error 5 at step 0
Solution:
To use VCX FD (or VCX SE/VCX NANO) with GM Techline Connect SPS2, you must have GM license activated.
You cannot use VCX FD as a J2534 device for SPS2 without GM license.
www.vxdiagshop.com
VXDIAG FDRS Program Ford Maverick Wireless Keypad
How-to: program a Wireless Keypad on a Ford Maverick MY 2024 using vxdiag vcx nano Ford scanner and FDRS software.
If you add the wireless battery powered keypad you must use FDRS (or go to the dealer)!
Buy a two day subscription for $50 on motorcraftservice.com. You MUST use a different OBD reader than the ELM327 adapter for FORScan! The cheapest options are a used Ford VCM II for about $150 or the VXDIAG VCX NANO for FORD for $89 on vxdiagshop.com. You may need to download specific drivers for the J2534 OBD adapter you are using. There are not many options for OBD adapters and most of the options are very expensive...thousands of dollars.
FDRS will be useful in the future for anything key programming related and for the other things FORScan cannot accomplish. Many people were not able to get Ford Dealerships to honor that cheap of an install. Ford Accessories Install prices are very misleading.. Several dealerships wanted over $100 for just the install. Many shops are using the exact same software and they pay thousands for the OBD adapter and subscriptions.
The driver for FDRS is in the download for the VX manager. If you try to
download the VX manager beta and it would not let you because antivirus was
kicking in but it let you install the latest release non beta. It's working fine
if follow these instructions below.
VXdiag instructions
FDRS is somewhat challenging to get set up. The servers can be iffy at first, you must have internet access and you must log into an active Ford account as an independent user. Here is a link below to help with getting FDRS set up.
After getting FDRS setup and connected to your vehicle, you now can set up your wireless keypad. You will start by choosing Toolbox. Then BCM. Then choose Remote Keyless Entry Pad. Now just follow the instructions until they are complete.
