Any guides or tips for FRDS?

[SillyPosition]

Im planning to buy this in order to be able to use frds on my 2023 bronco.
It seem to be able to do various software updates but also able to program the wireless keypad, which Im also into..
Anyone tried doing these things on bronco?
I read some pages here and they recommend using an external battery charge maintainer, is it necessary? Is it also necessary with forscan?

I'd appreciate more info and details about things that can be modded for the bronco if anyone tried.

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[Ducati1098]

I read some pages here and they recommend using an external battery charge maintainer, is it necessary? Is it also necessary with forscan?

Anytime you’re doing programming you should have some type of battery charger/maintainer on. FDRS will warn you of that multiple times. Low voltage while trying to program can easily lead to a blank or bricked module.

 

[SillyPosition]

Anytime you’re doing programming you should have some type of battery charger/maintainer on. FDRS will warn you of that multiple times. Low voltage while trying to program can easily lead to a blank or bricked module.

That statement holds also for forscan?
Do I have to buy those expensive fancy modules as that one?
Or a simple charging booster that is charged, will be enough?

 

[Ducati1098]

That statement holds also for forscan?
Do I have to buy those expensive fancy modules as that one?
Or a simple charging booster that is charged, will be enough?

I would recommend it for any programming, forscan or FDRS. Most people probably don’t use one for forscan, but it’s cheap insurance to make sure nothing goes wrong.

As far as the charger, any charger that is compatible with AGM batteries is fine. I have that exact one you posted for work, and I works perfectly for all my programming/charging needs.

 

[BroncoWTFAN]

I personally never suggest trying to go the cheap route when programing with FRDS but each to their own. I am using a Mongoose Plus and Clore PL6100 when updating Fords Firmware / Modules. The Mongoose has native support in FRDS which is ideal but as others have noted many others work just fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Plus-J2534-Vehicle-Interface-Cable/dp/B097NHQ7ZW?ref_=ast_sto_dp

https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-PL6100-Charger-Reprogramming/dp/B07ZRQ8Y3W/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2F9JHPJL72DST&keywords=pro-logix&qid=1677848232&sprefix=pro-logi,aps,56&sr=8-9&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.4dd97f68-284f-40f5-a6f1-1e5b3de13370

 

[SillyPosition]

I just feel that maybe thats a bit excessive for a personal use.
I have this jump starter, Im not asking because Im trying to go super cheap, Im just trying to understand if buying a new one is really needed.
If I want to use frds and need the extra 100-200$ for a battery charge maintainer so be it, but maybe the thing I already have is sufficient

This is the battery charger I have: https://carstoolsdepot.com/product/...and-power-packs-with-qc-3-0-type-c-5v3a-port/
If I do need to get one, Im fine buying this one

In general, re FRDS, if not to actually do firmware update to the various systems, is there a way to just see what features can be configured with it?
From another thread in the forum I understand that forscan for example cant be used to program a new keypad, so I wonder what other options may be available to me if I use FRDS before going and spending few hundred bucks for a battery charge maintainer and the diagnostic programming tool I mentioned in the first post

 

[BroncoWTFAN]

I just feel that maybe thats a bit excessive for a personal use.
I have this jump starter, Im not asking because Im trying to go super cheap, Im just trying to understand if buying a new one is really needed.
If I want to use frds and need the extra 100-200$ for a battery charge maintainer so be it, but maybe the thing I already have is sufficient

This is the battery charger I have: https://carstoolsdepot.com/product/...and-power-packs-with-qc-3-0-type-c-5v3a-port/


In general, re FRDS, if not to actually do firmware update to the various systems, is there a way to just see what features can be configured with it?
From another thread in the forum I understand that forscan for example cant be used to program a new keypad, so I wonder what other options may be available to me if I use FRDS before going and spending few hundred bucks for a battery charge maintainer and the diagnostic programming tool I mentioned in the first post

I can agree with the word excessive (costly) but I think of it like buying quality USA made tools vs ones cheaply made in china. Again many cheaper setups will work, just giving another avenue.

FRDS = Software update
FORSCAN = Modify Settings / DTC (read / clear)

I believe FORSCAN can update modules but it's flying blind because you have to supply the update files. FRDS reads the VIN and guides one thru the proper updates.

Good Luck either way and happy trails.

 

[Snacktime]

Depending on what J2534 connector is bought you may have issues with older laptops. Example, my old windows laptop no longer has usb support and can't detect the cheapy J2534 connector. So I just wheel my office desk out with my desktop.

For a charger I have a 25 year old relic from my childhood, if you have the space get a big one. I like being able to use it to start vehicle(200+amp rating) with a bad battery and the only reason I still have the beast.

 

[RoverDude]

Update the IPC last it takes (3-4 hours or more) or make sure you know that before you start that module.

The abs and chdm modules will still show updates available after they have been updated. ( Even if you do it like 10 times.
Apparently that's a known issue. FYI

Just did it last weekend.

All in much better outcome/money spent vs the performance tune pack.

 

[flip]

We use these.

https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automo...xDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=pl2320,aps,91&sr=8-2

 

[SillyPosition]

So the idea behind the battery charge maintainer is because the software update takes hours and the battery will run dry without the car ignited and charging it, got it now

Can anyone share what kind of *Customizations* can be made with FRDS?
I heard (or misheard) that things such as programming keypad for example, can be made only with FRDS.

I thought that there are also settings and extra stuff with FRDS, not only software updates.

We use these.

https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-PL2320-Battery-Maintainer-20/dp/B007ESQW08/ref=sr_1_2_mod_primary_new?crid=3CVEPWQLG86PG&keywords=pl2320+battery+charger&qid=1677860240&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=pl2320,aps,91&sr=8-2

Does it work only when connected to a power source for the sake of maintaing/charging an empty car battery, or can it also be used as a portable jump starter such as the one I shared earlier?

 

[flip]

So the idea behind the battery charge maintainer is because the software update takes hours and the battery will run dry without the car ignited and charging it, got it now

Can anyone share what kind of *Customizations* can be made with FRDS?
I heard (or misheard) that things such as programming keypad for example, can be made only with FRDS.

I thought that there are also settings and extra stuff with FRDS, not only software updates.



Does it work only when connected to a power source for the sake of maintaing/charging an empty car battery, or can it also be used as a portable jump starter such as the one I shared earlier?

Not many fields can be changed. Adding another key or keypad, program for a sound bar, may be a few others but IMO, it's not worth messing with, either cost or aggravation, if you don't need FRDS on a daily basis. You really need a good understanding of Ford's systems and tech level experience. It's not just a plug in and you hit a button. Some will disagree with my opinion and that's OK, just saying if you haven't trained or messed with it before, you stand a good chance of issues that you may not have the experience to figure out or brick some expensive modules. Just sayin.

You really need a VCM 3 with FRDS so there's that additional cost.

 

[flip]

Wanna really go all out?

 

[Theherofails]

Some of the module updates can take 6+ hours.. You 100% need a battery charger hooked up the entire time or else you risk turning your vehicle into a boat anchor. If your voltage drops too low during the module update, you've essentially just killed that module..

I just used that adapter with FDRS for 2 days in order to get my new steering rack installed. I updated a few modules before my time ran out, but its a time consuming process. The Instrument Panel Cluster Module update was 6-8 friggen hours alone.

Take your time. Be methodical. Double check your work. FDRS has the ability to very quickly require a dealership to fix your mistakes.

FORSCAN for me is easier to use, but that's mostly because I'm impatient. FDRS is an online software package, so you are beholden to Fords servers. At times, they can be quite slow.. FORSCAN is all offline and much faster. They do different functions though.

FORSCAN is like Windows Control Panel in a fashion.. allows you to change individual system settings. FDRS is how you install 'Windows' on your computer (Bronco), except its spread across about 50 different modules. FDRS also allows you to do other fun stuff like run self tests on modules and monitor DTC codes in real time. FORSCAN just pulls the codes upon request by default.

Step 1 with FORSCAN is to make a complete backup of your vehicle settings so you can revert at any time. That's not really a possibility with FDRS, so you need to be more careful.

The VCX Nano works fine on Windows 11 although you'll see a lot of comments saying otherwise. Just install the VCX Manager software package and then you're good to go with FDRS and FORSCAN.

Another random bit of advice is make sure you have strong wifi signal where you'll be working with FDRS, because its slow enough as is. Weak wifi signal slows the process down even more.

I'm not sure I'll ever use FDRS again as it has limited functionality outside of a tech shop and the cost of fixing any mistakes is quite high. FORSCAN is pretty useful for the home gamer though and is much easier to recover your vehicle if things go sideways.

 

[SillyPosition]

Some of the module updates can take 6+ hours.. You 100% need a battery charger hooked up the entire time or else you risk turning your vehicle into a boat anchor. If your voltage drops too low during the module update, you've essentially just killed that module..

I just used that adapter with FDRS for 2 days in order to get my new steering rack installed. I updated a few modules before my time ran out, but its a time consuming process. The Instrument Panel Cluster Module update was 6-8 friggen hours alone.

Take your time. Be methodical. Double check your work. FDRS has the ability to very quickly require a dealership to fix your mistakes.

FORSCAN for me is easier to use, but that's mostly because I'm impatient. FDRS is an online software package, so you are beholden to Fords servers. At times, they can be quite slow.. FORSCAN is all offline and much faster. They do different functions though.

FORSCAN is like Windows Control Panel in a fashion.. allows you to change individual system settings. FDRS is how you install 'Windows' on your computer (Bronco), except its spread across about 50 different modules. FDRS also allows you to do other fun stuff like run self tests on modules and monitor DTC codes in real time. FORSCAN just pulls the codes upon request by default.

Step 1 with FORSCAN is to make a complete backup of your vehicle settings so you can revert at any time. That's not really a possibility with FDRS, so you need to be more careful.

The VCX Nano works fine on Windows 11 although you'll see a lot of comments saying otherwise. Just install the VCX Manager software package and then you're good to go with FDRS and FORSCAN.

Another random bit of advice is make sure you have strong wifi signal where you'll be working with FDRS, because its slow enough as is. Weak wifi signal slows the process down even more.

I'm not sure I'll ever use FDRS again as it has limited functionality outside of a tech shop and the cost of fixing any mistakes is quite high. FORSCAN is pretty useful for the home gamer though and is much easier to recover your vehicle if things go sideways.

Thank you sir. Much appreciated. While I wish I could tell beforehand what other programmable features are there, but right now I just need to program a keypad. I guess I could do it at a ford garage as a one time thing instead of spending money here.
I do wonder if windows behavior during car lock can be controlled with frds, if someone happen to come across this thread and had a license to check I’ll appreciate it!

do I need to use voltage maintainer for when programming features with forscan? It sounds like operation is very quick so doesn’t necessarily require it since it takes time for the battery to drop significantly.

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