Comment by doodlebugging
14 days ago
What about using ForSCAN? It allows anyone with the software and a dongle to monitor and to update modules in the ECU AFAIK. I paid under $100 (can't remember) for a dongle and downloaded the free software and it is extremely handy working on one of my vehicles. The other two Fords I own are both pre-OBDII so there is less bullshit on them to begin with. Ford forums are full of owners who use ForSCAN to modify their vehicle's operation. Lots of hacks available.
Just do as /u/bigfatkitten suggests and get the service manuals when you purchase the vehicle.
ForSCAN is awesome but it's an orthogonal conversation since it's a reverse engineered diagnostic tool rather than a first-party one. If we expand the conversation to that space there are tons of options with varying capabilities depending on manufacturer, including also pirating the OEM tools directly. Also worth noting that ForSCAN also doesn't _quite_ support all common operations, for example Remote Keyless Entry enrollment on newer BCMs with push-to-start needs FDRS still.
Thanks for this explanation. I knew that ForSCAN was a RE tool (Russian guy?) and that there were others out there for multiple purposes on various product lines. I also knew that ForSCAN did not support customizing all OEM functions. I just wasn't bright enough to make the connection between this being a first party versus anybody's tool type of mods that one might make. I do most of my own auto maintenance so I use the tools that best facilitate the process and since I am only mechanically experienced and not an accredited tech I lean towards using third party tools, custom tools I cobble together, OEM manuals, etc. to guide all the work I do here in my driveway or shop.