Will Autel Change Ford Solenoid Body Strategy and ID?

Question:

Am I able to change the solenoid body strategy and ID on a 2018 ford f150 with Autel MaxiSys Ultra scanner, I don’t see the option for it.

Use Forscan or Ford FJDS/FDRS.  You cannot do this with the scanner.

 It requires access to the Ford Server (something Autel doesn’t have). The solenoid ID is embedded in the software and you need Ford software to do this. 

You can use a PC program called ForScan and your Autel’s VCI for connecting to the vehicle.

Forscan is easy. A lot before 2011 will give a popup error regarding the TRID. In those cases, IDS/FJDS is needed. Then 2018-up FDRS vehicles will give an error that the “service procedure was interrupted”, and you’ll need FDRS. 

Just depends on the vehicle. Both options are very affordable. You can get a cheap VXDIAG VCX NANO Ford J2534 or Autel Maxiflash VCI for Forscan and FDRS software. Always have a backup plan.

Tips to change Ford Solenoid Body Strategy and ID with Forscan:

1) update to latest version of forscan, connect to the car.

2) click on the configuration and programming button (the diamond below the wrench), 

select transmission characterization update, 

select play at the bottom, click on OK, click OK again (update by solenoid strategy number should be highlighted), type in the new number (located on the drivers side of the trans, something like 2127292576721), select OK; if you haven't already downloaded the file it will ask to, then it will load the file.

3) select Transmission Repairs with replacement main control/valve body, then click OK; it should be it.

No need to update/program solenoid strategy unless swapping to a different valve body. 

Ford Taurus PCM Firmware Update with Forscan

 Normally you will need a Ford VCM and IDS or a J2534 Box with FJDS/FDRS for Ford ECU module software reflashing and updating. Now you can do it with a Forscan license($12/year), a quality OBD dongle (less than $50) and your laptop. That makes updates much more affordable and accessible to professionals and DIYers alike.

Credit to Tyler. You are at your risk.

Module firmware updates with Forscan

Model example:

Ford Taurus 3.5L 2014

 

Bought a used PCM off ebay for testing purposes.  The GoDiag GT100 doing a great job as always:

I’m using my OBDLink EX interface for these captures. You can also use a cheaper Vgate ivlinker FS, vxdiag vcx nano or ELS27 cables.

How to Set up ForScan for Vgate vLinker FS USB Interface?

How to Set up VXDIAG VCX NANO for ForScan

These are the particulars we get from Forscan out of our used PCM:

One of the big selling points of Forscan is the automated calibration level check it runs, even with the normal version. It highlights the existing calibration (EG1A-12A650-ARA) and points out the newer calibration available (EG1A-12A650-ARB). Very handy if you think a TSB for a module update applies to your vehicle.

Down in the programming tab, we have the firmware update option:

Once there, we’re presented with some options:

Just like the factory tool, an internet connection is needed to download the updated calibration. There’s a lot going on here, but lets stay focused. We have a module that needs an update. Once downloaded, we have the green lights showing that the required files are available:

Once we hit Program, Forscan reminds you of programming best practices. Also note the estimated programming time:

After watching the scroll bar for a bit, we’re done.  That was easy!

The calibration check confirms we’re at the latest and greatest, and that the module still talks to us:

Overall, a pretty painless process.  Plus the estimated programming time of three to five minutes was right on. Hell, I’d be hard pressed just to get an FJDS two day subscription purchased in three to five minutes, much less get FJDS updated and running.

It’s also worth noting that I ran the programming process repeatedly with both the OBDLink EX and my Autel MaxiFlash/VXDIAG VCX NANO (integral J-2534 device). Neither had any issues, and both had roughly equal programming times. Forscan seems to like J-boxes just as well as dedicated USB interfaces? Thus, if you already own a J-box, you likely don’t need to buy another device.

http://blog.obdii365.com/2022/02/18/set-up-vxdiag-vcx-nano-for-ford-ids-forscan-and-fdrs/

So what do you do when something goes wrong? Battery went dead? USB cable got yanked out of the laptop? Forscan provides for that with the Recovery function:

The Recovery option is mentioned in the Forscan Programming Guide, but very little detail is given otherwise.  How well does it actually work? I decided to find out by killing power to the PCM in the middle of the programming:

After turning the power back on, I get this:

No CAN activity, no communication, no nothing. Let’s see what Recovery can do:

Refer to the Programming Guide for more info. In short, the recovery option tries to catch the module right after a power cycle, but before the corrupted module software has a chance to boot up on its own.

Long story short, it worked.

Now, to be clear, I’m not advocating for Forscan as a factory tool replacement. It’s not. Many repairs will still require IDS/FJDS/FDRS to complete. But there’s definitely some utility here in specific circumstances.

 

Download, Install and Activate License of Ford Forscan

Calibrate Ford F150 F250 Speedmeter with Forscan

 If FORscan will allow calibrate a 2005 F150 speedometer for larger tires or should I use Ford IDS?

Customer’s working experience:

I have done this but FORScan is not able to access the FEPS PCMs (Flash electronically erasable and programmable EEPROM signal, Power Train Control Module) in these older vehicles with the FORScan 2.4.x branch (only from 2009 and up so far) as yet and that is where this calibration is stored!

It requires IDS version 86 (It is what I used) or newer and a Ford VCM 2 or a J2534 PassThru adapter with the 18 volt FEPS signal capability on DLC pin 13 and Ford FDRS! (i.e vxdiag vcx nano ford & fdrs)

What you need will be in a programmable section that has the programable VIN ID block and programmable block for gear ratio and several tire size options! In my case the size I was looking for was in the list of available options!

The F150 is different breed all by itself! The F150 has a different ABS and the AsBuilt address (760-01-01) shown being programmed in the F250/F350, contains the VIN ID block hex coding in the 2005 F150! Go Change any thing in there and then all you will get is multiple DTC,s and a Headache!

The only known configurable parameters in my 05 F150 ABS are in the 760-03-01-4E(4 Adaptive Cruse is Unknown Vehicle_ my current setting) and all that changes is Adaptive cruise control and Hill Decent control (E equals Hill Decent enabled_my current setting).

In the 2005 F150 the tire size is in the Programmable parameters(PCM) in IDS and looks like the below image (This is is what is in my 05 F150 just checked)! There are two sizes listed (the 660 * indicates the current setting in Revs Per mile) and the “other” selection field opens the Rev per mile calculator!

My wife’s 2010 Fusion PCM (Appears as “VIN Block ID” under the PCM in Configuration and Programming) has very similar programmable parameters to the image above but is accessible in FORScan version 2.4.5! FORScan has told me they are working on this for the older Pre 2009 FEPS PCM’s.

Tutorial: How to use FORScan to recalibrate speedometer for bigger tires?

You’ll be able to calibrate it with the free FORscan software, a portable Windows device, and an appropriate ODB II adapter (ELS27, Vgate vLinker etc).

Change the size of the tire also changes the circumference of the tire which changes the speedmeter measurements of the tire.

Before scan we are gonna fix that where is the whole spreadsheet that kind of tells you what size what codes to enter for whatever size tires you have.
It is gonna be in the BCM driver control module, click on
it’s gonna load all right
it is gonna be 726 one right here 726-12-01 and it’s that middle section of numbers needs to be changed.

Input numbers 0A3B and hit Write.

Then test it and make sure it worked.

 

Pay close attention to the need to do a PCM and TCM relearn in order to clear DTC’s.

Also, for the 2021+ F150 the address location has changed. Instead of:

726-12-01 xxxx ABCD xxxx

It is now split between two lines:

726-15-01 xxxx xxxx ABxx
726-15-02 CDxx xxx xxxx

   

For older F250 F350 you can calibrate Speedmeter with Forscan.

I.e 2005 Ford F250 The tire size is 35×12.5×1

  

http://blog.obdii365.com/2022/08/01/recalibrate-f150-f250-speedometer-with-forscan-or-ids/