I invited readers to send in topic ideas, and you've told me there is a general interest in PC-based scan tools. More specifically, many of you showed interest in the Ford Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) that I mentioned in my
February 2007 Tech E
column.
It appears that some of you have purchased it and found that it won't work for you. Others wrote that they are intrigued, but concerned about the lack of a manual and the high amount of "Fordspeak" involved.
This month, we'll walk through buying the hardware and installing the application, as well as some of the operational issues you will run into as you work with the tool. I am not going to get into very much actual vehicle-based use of the tool; I'll stick instead to the PC side of the equation as much as possible.
Second, if you have a laptop, you can still install other scan tools on that same laptop - saving you considerable time and money. The IDS is what software guys call a "port," or a conversion from the old Windows 98-based Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS). This is the source of much of confusion, because the WDS used a touch screen and the buttons on the screen seem rather oddly placed for mouse navigation. I will talk about speeding up that part of the software in later installments of this subject.
The IDS contains not only the ability to get codes and live data in labscope-like displays, but it also performs functional tests, such as the Power Stroke diesel injector buzz test. You can perform several body control functional tests as well.
If you have an inexperienced tech who needs a little guidance, there are guided diagnostic routines by symptom that will help him or her understand the flow of diagnosis. For the experienced tech, these are great shortcuts to the various tests within the application. If you buy the VMM kit - "Fordspeak" for a multimeter that connects with a USB plug to the laptop - you can run other tests and receive specification-based feedback on the results. Personally, I do not use this feature, as we still prefer our labscope.
However, the most valuable function the IDS performs is to seamlessly reflash any component of the vehicle with rewritable software. Using the vehicle's VIN, the software connects to Ford's corporate server. It determines the latest software level and offers to update the vehicle for you.
Another slick function actually pulls the software off a component you are replacing and reinstalls it after the part has been installed on the vehicle. Generally, the application is available with a two-year subscription to the Ford flashing data for less than $3,000. This includes software, cables and a Vehicle Communication Module (VCM). You bring the laptop.
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